Patent ID: 7029481
Filing Date: 2006-04-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of suturing patient tissue together, the method comprising: positioning a suture placement device adjacent patient tissue, the suture placement device having a body and a suture holder releasably attached on the body, the suture holder including a plurality of engaging elements configured to receive cuffs thereon; actuating the suture placement device; causing the suture placement device to pass an end portion of at least one suture element through patient tissue in response to actuating the suture placement device by engaging at least one of the engagement elements with a cuff attached to the end portion of the suture; causing the cuff and the end portion of the at least one suture element to be held on the suture holder of the device after the end portion has been passed through the patient tissue; and detaching the suture holder from the body of the device while the end portion and the cuff of the at least one suture element is held thereon.