Patent ID: 8257371
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A suturing device for use with a suturing needle, the device comprising: a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body having an elongate extension extending along an axis toward the distal end, the extension comprising a bend in the axis, the tubular body being sufficiently stiff to maintain the bend in the extension of the body when the body supports the needle relative to the proximal end during suturing; a first clamp extending distally from and supported by the distal end of the body; a second clamp extending distally from and supported by the distal end of the body; a linkage coupled to the first and second clamps, the linkage configured to cause a movement of each clamp between a grasping configuration and a released configuration such that the needle is alternatingly supported by the first clamp and the second clamp, each, clamp configured for grasping the needle in the grasping configuration and the needle being released in the released configuration, the linkage comprising first and second shafts movable along the axis within the extension so as to cause the movement of the first and second clamps, respectively, each shaft comprising a series of shaft elements with joints therebetween, each shaft having axial stiffness and being laterally flexible so as to transmit the movement and accommodate the bend with the shaft elements compressively transmitting the movement and the joints accommodating propagation of the bend relative to each shaft as each shaft moves axially through the bend within the extension.