Patent ID: 8747424
Filing Date: 2014-06-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An endoscopic stitching device, comprising: a tool assembly including a pair of juxtaposed jaws associated with one another, each jaw defining a needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof; a pair of needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a respective jaw, each blade including an advanced position wherein a portion of the blade engages a suture needle when the suture needle is in the respective jaw, to thereby secure the suture needle therewith, and a retracted position wherein the blade is out of engagement with the suture needle, to thereby permit the suture needle to be removed from the jaw; and an actuation cable operatively coupled to the tool assembly and the pair of needle engaging blades, wherein an axial translation of the actuation cable effects a first function of the tool assembly, wherein the pair of blades are operatively joined to one another so as to translate in opposite directions relative to one another upon a rotation of the actuation cable.