Patent ID: 6939356

Claim:
A medical instrument for closing an opening for surgery, comprising: an elongated cylindrical member having an open proximal end and a closed distal end; an actuating mechanism being operatively positioned within the cylindrical member; at least two elongated needles secured to the cylindrical member and engaging with the actuating mechanism; the at least two elongated needles include proximal ends capable of retaining a suture, the at least two needles being movable by the actuating mechanism from a closed position adjacent to an outer surface of the cylindrical member to an open position, wherein in the open position the proximal ends of the at least two needles extend away for the outer surface of the cylindrical member, wherein the cylindrical member is a hollow cylindrical member for containing the actuating mechanism, and wherein the actuating mechanism includes a shaft with a turntable knob at its proximal end and a screw threaded portion near its distal end for engaging with distal ends of the needles.