Patent ID: 7993354
Filing Date: 2011-08-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A suturing device having a suturing head, the suturing head comprising: a) a housing defining at least one passage therein, the housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a peripheral side joining the proximal and distal ends; b) a deployable needle track disposed at least partially within the housing, the needle track being adapted and configured to be deployed from a stored condition wherein the needle track is essentially disposed within the housing and has an angular extent of about 180 degrees to a deployed condition wherein the needle track has an angular extent of about 270 degrees and extends outwardly from the peripheral side of the housing to form an arcuate needle track that lies in a plane that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing; c) an arcuate needle disposed in the deployable needle track, the needle having a first end, a second end, and a generally toroidal body; and d) a drive for advancing the needle in multiple 360 degree revolutions about the needle track when the deployable needle track is in a deployed condition, wherein the drive selectively engages with and disengages from the needle to advance the needle about a 360 degree rotation.