Patent ID: 8435253
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for repairing a tear in a portion of tissue, said method comprising: inserting a device comprising a proximal actuator portion and a needle having a distal needle portion into a procedural site; retracting a sheath covering said needle proximally to expose the distal needle portion; advancing the needle into the tissue to be repaired, so that a distal end of the distal needle portion is disposed beyond the tear, until a depth limiting structure prevents further advancement of the needle, wherein the advancing step comprises advancing a pair of needles into the tissue to be repaired, and the suture loop creating step is performed by dispensing suture from a first one of the needles into a second of the needles, and then releasing a catch plunger to move distally and clamp the suture to retain it in the second needle, wherein the catch plunger is disposed in the second needle and is extendable within the second needle to clamp the suture within the second needle; creating a suture loop in said tissue to repair the tear; withdrawing the needle proximally from the procedural site; and using a pre-tied knot to cinch the suture loop and thereby repair the tear.