Patent ID: 7357773

Claim:
A handle for a surgical instrument having a needle with a substantially straight portion and a curved portion, the handle comprising: an elongate body having a proximal end region including a proximal end, a distal end region including a distal end, top and bottom portions that define a height, and side portions that define a width; wherein the proximal end region includes a maximum width and a maximum height, and the distal end region includes a maximum width and a maximum height; wherein the maximum width of the proximal end region is greater than the maximum height of the proximal end region and the maximum width of the distal end region is greater than the maximum width of the proximal end region; wherein the straight portion of the needle is adapted to project from the distal end of the body; and wherein at least the top portion has a surface that is sized and shaped to receive a user's thumb in the distal end region.