Patent ID: 7935128
Filing Date: 2011-05-03
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongated body member having a distal end; a head extending from the distal end of the elongated body member, the head comprising a remotely actuatable needle driver and a needle catch; a needle configured for receiving a suture and for being driven by the needle driver through a tissue into the needle catch to create a first stitch; and a remotely actuatable implement for moving the needle from a first position lodged in the needle catch to a second position dislodged from, or able to be readily dislodged from, the needle catch comprising a needle driver actuator at a proximal end of the device for actuating a linkage to actuate the needle driver and a needle dislodgment actuator for actuating the implement for moving the needle from the first position in the needle catch to the second position, wherein the needle is configured to remotely reload into the needle drive to create a second stitch through the tissue while remaining within a body of a patient.