Patent ID: 8709021
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A suturing instrument comprising: an elongate body member including a handle at a proximal portion and engaged to a suturing head at a distal portion by a connector member, the suturing head including a needle carrier and a needle catch, the suturing head defining a channel and a needle exit port, the needle carrier disposed within the channel, the needle carrier including a lumen for holding a needle with a tissue-penetrating tip, the needle catch for receiving and retaining the needle, the suturing head being rotatable about or relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body member, biased in a linear orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body member, and adjustable to a plurality of non-linear orientations relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body member by application of an external force against the suturing head, the suturing head returning to the linear orientation in the absence of the external force; and an actuator manipulatable by a user of the suturing instrument to move the needle carrier in the channel and out of the needle exit port until the needle enters the needle catch where the needle is retained.