Patent ID: 7780684

Claim:
An instrument for endoscopically, surgically engaging and grasping STFFM of a patient internally remote from a skin access opening and moving the engaged and grasped STFFM relative to the opening, comprising: (a) an elongate insert having first and second ends for insertion of the first end through an access opening in the STFFM of a patient to a location inside the skin of a patient that is remote from the access opening, leaving the second end of the insert outside the access opening; (b) means including a cavity at the first end of the insert and means for applying a partial vacuum to the cavity for engaging the STFFM in secured contact with said first end of said insert internally of the outer surface of the skin and remote from the access opening; (c) a suturing needle having first and second ends, carried by said insert and carrying a suture therewith; (d) means associated with said second end of said insert for actuating said first end of said needle for piercing the engaged STFFM of (b) above and passing the suture through the STFFM; (e) means carried by the insert, cooperating with said first end of said needle for engaging and maintaining the suture through the portion of the engaged STFFM after withdrawal of the first end of the needle from the portion of the engaged STFFM; (f) means carried by the second end of the insert for engaging the second end of the needle and withdrawing the first end of the needle from the portion of the engaged STFFM; (g) whereby movement of the first end of the insert relative to the access opening will cause the portion of the engaged STFFM internally of the outer surface of the skin to be correspondingly moved with the first end of the insert; and (h) wherein the cavity has a hole for receiving the needle therein, and with a seal at the hole, separate from the hole and separate from the needle, for maintaining the partial vacuum in the cavity.