Patent ID: 7323004

Claim:
An automatic suturing device comprising: a body for insertion into an opening in tissue; a plurality of hooks movably disposed in the body between retracted and extended positions; a suture holder having sutures disposed therein, the suture holder having means for engaging a portion of the hooks when in the retracted position and for attaching the sutures to a portion of the plurality of hooks; and actuation means for actuating the plurality of hooks from the retracted position to the extended position and for embedding each of the exposed plurality of hooks into the tissue surrounding the opening, the embedding of each hook occurring first by linear extension of each hook into the tissue, and secondly by rotation and retraction thereof, each hook to return into the tissue, wherein the means for engaging a portion of the hooks when in the retracted position and for attaching the sutures to a portion of the plurality of hooks comprises: the suture holder having a first longitudinal channel for holding the sutures therein; the suture holder having a second longitudinal channel for holding a glue therein; and a linking channel for linking at least a portion of the first and second longitudinal channels and corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of hooks when in the retracted position; wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of hooks are disposed in the linking channel and in communication with both the sutures and glue in the respective first and second longitudinal channels when in the retracted position to adhere at least a portion of a suture to at least a portion of each of the plurality of hooks.