Patent ID: 8758368
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical suturing device, comprising: a needle assembly having a needle movable in a needle housing between a free suture state, a captured suture state, and a locked suture state; bifurcated portions of the needle assembly defining a suture slot, the bifurcated portions having a proximate relationship when the needle assembly is in the captured suture state and having a separated relationship when the needle assembly is in the free suture state; the bifurcated portions of the needle assembly being unitary with one another; a sharp distal tip of the needle assembly being unitary with at least one of the bifurcated portions; a handle assembly including a longitudinal handle housing sized and configured to releasably receive the needle assembly; a thumb slide assembly releasably coupled to the needle and movable longitudinally on the handle housing between a distal position and a proximal position; a needle latch included in the thumb slide assembly and having a releasable latching relationship with the needle; a needle housing lock carried by the handle housing and having a releasable locking relationship with the needle housing; the needle housing lock is pivotal on the handle housing between an unlocking position and a locking position; a locking detent slidable on the handle housing between a first position wherein the needle housing lock is pivotal on the handle housing to the unlocking position, and a second position wherein the needle housing lock is held in the locking position; the distal position of the thumb slide assembly being associated with the needle in the free suture state; and the proximal position of the thumb slide assembly being associated with the needle in the captured suture state and the locked suture state.