Patent ID: 6716224
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A knot tier for tying a knot in suture comprising:an elongated tubular member having a cylindrical wall, a proximal end and a distal end, said cylindrical wall provided, at a predetermined point adjacent said distal end, with a transverse slot for receiving a length of suture therein and positioning it transversely within the interior of said tubular member; an elongated manipulating member having a proximal end and a distal end and situated coaxially and slidably within said tubular member, said manipulating member movable between a first, proximal-most position in which it is retracted within said tubular member with its distal-most end situated proximal to said predetermined point, and a second, distal-most position in which it is extended distally from said tubular member, said manipulating member comprising a pair of diametrically opposed finger members situated at the distal end of said manipulating member, said finger members adapted to be slidable and rotatable within said tubular member and to be placed into a first orientation in which they are spaced apart a first predetermined distance sufficient to enable them to fit within said tubular member when said manipulating member is at said first, proximal-most position and further adapted to be placed into a second orientation in which they are spaced apart a second predetermined distance when said manipulating member is at said second, distal-most position extended distally from said distal end of said tubular member; a distally facing suture receiving channel situated at the distal end of each finger member; linear moving means for moving said pair of finger members distally and extending them a predetermined distance beyond the distal end of said tubular member; and rotating means for rotating said pair of finger members a predetermined amount.