Patent ID: 8617187
Filing Date: 2013-12-31
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A suturing system for use with a first suturing needle or a second suturing needle, the first needle defining a first arc, the second needle defining a second arc different than the first arc, the system comprising: a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a quick-disconnect interface disposed adjacent the distal end; a first clamp unit associated with the first needle and a second clamp unit associated with the second needle, the clamp units alternatively and removably mountable to the body via the quick-disconnect interface, wherein each clamp unit includes an associated plurality of clamps, each clamp of the associated plurality of clamps having a pair of jaws for grasping the associated needle between gripping surfaces of the jaws; and a linkage configured to effect a movement of the clamps of each clamp unit between a grasping configuration and a released configuration so as to sequentially grasp the associated needle when the clamp unit is mounted to the body and when the linkage cycles, the linkage having a first configuration and a second configuration, the linkage in the first configuration applying clamping with the clamps of the first clamp unit suitable for suturing with the first suturing needle when the linkage effects movement from the released configuration to the grasping configuration, the linkage in the second configuration applying clamping with the clamps of the second clamp unit suitable for suturing with the second needle when the linkage effects movement from the released configuration to the grasping configuration; wherein the movement of a first clamp of the associated plurality of clamps of the first clamp unit is oriented along a first axis, wherein the movement of a second clamp of the associated plurality of clamps of the first clamp unit is oriented along a second axis parallel to the first axis, wherein the movement of a first clamp of the associated plurality of clamps of the second clamp unit is oriented along a third axis, wherein the movement of a second clamp of the associated plurality of clamps of the second clamp unit is oriented along a fourth axis parallel to the third axis with a spacing between the first and second axes being the same as a spacing between the third and fourth axes, wherein the jaws of the first clamp of the first clamp unit are offset from the jaws of the second clamp of the first clamp unit by a first clamping offset angle corresponding to the first arc, and wherein the jaws of the first clamp of the second clamp unit are offset from the jaws of the second clamp of the second clamp unit by a second clamping offset angle corresponding to the second arc, the second angle being different than the first angle such that removal of the first clamp unit from the quick-disconnect interface and replacement of the first clamp unit with the second clamp unit on the quick-disconnect interface reconfigures the linkage from the first configuration to the second configuration.