Patent ID: 6663643
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A suturing instrument for joining a first portion of material to a second portion of material, said suturing instrument comprising:a handle; an end effector mounted on said handle and defining therein: a first channel for supporting suture wire, said first channel being curved to impart a looping configuration to portions of the suture wire passed therethrough; a second channel adapted to receive the looped suture wire emerged from said first channel; and a passageway for supporting a cutting bar, said passageway intersecting said first channel so as to create a first island between said first channel and said passageway, and said passageway intersecting said second channel so as to create a second island between said second channel and said passageway; a wire advancing actuator mounted on said handle for moving the suture wire through said first channel, through the material first and second portions and back into said second channel; a cutting bar movably disposed in said passageway for selectively engaging the suture wire, said cutting bar being adapted to (1) cut the looped suture wire from the remaining portions of the suture wire; (2) bend the trailing end and the leading end of the looped suture wire around said first island and said second island; and (3) lift the looped suture wire over said first island and said second island; and a cutting bar actuator mounted on said handle for moving the cutting bar into engagement with the suture wire.