Patent ID: 6746457
Filing Date: 2004-06-08
Classification: A61B,G06F

Abstract:
A method for closing a suture loop, the method comprising:tensioning a suture loop, the suture loop disposed within a patient and having two free ends and a knot disposed on one of the free ends; providing a suture trimmer comprising a shaft having a distal end, the shaft having an opening formed in a side adjacent the distal end, a fitting on the distal end of the shaft, the fitting having an aperture formed therethrough, the aperture being in communication with the opening; providing a suture snare comprising a housing and a snare, the snare extending from the housing and further through the opening of the shaft and the aperture of the fitting, the housing of the suture snare being detachably attached to the shaft; disposing the two free ends of the suture through the suture trimmer by disposing the two free ends of the suture through the snare and advancing the snare through the opening and the aperture; advancing the distal end of the suture trimmer to contact the knot and advance the knot to close the suture loop while holding at least one end of the suture; and activating a cutting member operatively associated with the suture trimmer to cut the two free ends of the suture adjacent to the knot.