Patent ID: 9095334
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: A61B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A suturing instrument, comprising: a handle; an elongate body member distally extending from the handle; a distal portion including an opening and extending distally from and fixed to the elongate body member such that the distal portion does not move with respect to the elongate body member; a suture; a suture holder for holding the suture; a pointed member having a closed slot defined therein, the closed slot being configured to capture the suture and pull the suture from the suture holder; and a needle deployment system configured for deploying the pointed member and the suture holder between an extended position with the pointed member and the suture holder extending distally out of the opening and into a tissue and a retracted position with the pointed member and the suture holder pulled out of the tissue and back into the opening, wherein the pointed member and the suture holder are deflected toward each other as they are deployed from the retracted position to the extended position such that the suture passes through the closed slot, the closed slot, while the pointed member is extended and deflected, is configured to capture the suture from the extended and deflected suture holder and pull the suture through the tissue and into the opening as the pointed member is pulled back into the refracted position.