Patent ID: 8585714
Filing Date: 2013-11-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical device extending along an axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, the device being operable to move a suture through body tissue, comprising: an elongate shaft having a hollow configuration; a longitudinal handle assembly coupled to the shaft; an actuating rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the actuating rod being disposed to extend between the handle assembly and the shaft and capable of moving both axially along the axis and rotationally about the axis; a needle assembly disposed at the distal end of the actuating rod and movable with the actuating rod between an extended state and a retracted state along the axis and to desired angular states about the axis; a thumb actuator assembly operatively connected to the proximal end of the actuating rod, the thumb actuator assembly located on and extending from a side of the longitudinal handle assembly, near a distal end of the longitudinal handle assembly, and movable longitudinally on the side of the longitudinal handle assembly between a distal position and a proximal position and between a first lateral position and a second lateral position, and wherein the thumb actuator assembly comprises a thumb wheel that slides axially along the axis and rotates angularly about the axis for moving the needle assembly between the extended state and the retracted state alone the axis and the desired angular states about the axis; bifurcated portions of the needle assembly defining a suture slot, the bifurcated portions having a proximate relationship when the needle assembly is in the retracted state and having a separated relationship when the actuating rod is in the extended state; the needle assembly being biased to the retracted state; and the bifurcated portions being biased to the separated relationship.