Patent ID: 8088131
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical method for soft tissue repair comprising the steps of: providing a device having first and second jaws that are both movable away from and toward a longitudinal axis of the device to define their open and closed positions, respectively, and a firing mechanism for passing a suture and dart assembly between the jaws, wherein the first jaw comprises a substantially planar tissue gripping surface; loading the suture and dart assembly in the first jaw so that a tip of the dart does not project past the tissue gripping surface of the first jaw; probing tissue by moving the jaws between their open and closed positions with tissue positioned between the jaws; selecting tissue suitable for passage of the suture and dart assembly; passing the suture and dart assembly through the selected tissue; capturing the suture and dart assembly in the second jaw; and threading the suture through the tissue by withdrawing the device from the sutured tissue.