Patent ID: 6048351
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A suturing instrument comprising:an elongate body member having a longitudinal axis;a suture deployment system located within a distal end portion of said elongate body member wherein said distal end portion includes a suture exit port, said suture deployment system comprising:a curved suture carrier channel; anda curved suture carrier movably positioned in said curved suture carrier channel;anda deployment controller having a proximal end, a distal end, a retracted position and a deployed position, said deployment controller extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of said elongate body member to the distal end of said elongate body member where it is coupled to said curved suture carrier and moves said curved suture carrier through said curved suture carrier channel as it moves between said retracted position and said deployed position, said curved suture carrier channel configured within said distal end portion of said elongate body member such that said curved suture carrier exits said suture exit port and is guided along a path which includes a proximal curved path segment such that a surface of said curved suture carrier is substantially adjacent with an outer surface of said distal end portion of said elongate body member along said proximal curved path segment.