SUTURE APPLICATOR

• US 3,842,840 A
• Filed: 05/07/1973
• Issued: 10/22/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward E. Schweizer
• Original Assignee: Edward E. Schweizer
• Inventors: Schweizer, Edward E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/358,082
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 128/334R,326,340
• US Class Current: 606/145
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/04 for suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials suture materials A61L17/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/062 Needle manipulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06042 located close to needle tip

Abstract

The disclosure is of a suturing clamp in which the jaws are moved toward each other to a pre-set position wherein the flesh is firmly, but not too tightly clamped. A bifurcated needle is moveably carried on one of the jaws and a length of suture is extended from a bobbin on the clamp to a grip at the end of the jaw. After the pre-set clamping position is reached, further operation drives the needle across the space between the jaws to carry a length of suture with it.

Claims

1. A surgical suture applicator comprising:

a first lever including a first jaw arm thereon;

a second jaw arm;

a pivotal connection between said first lever and said second jaw arm;

an actuator lever;

means releasably connecting said actuator lever to said second jaw arm to transmit pivotal movement thereto;

a needle slidably carried in said second jaw arm from a retracted position within said second jaw arm to a suturing position extended therefrom toward said first jaw arm;

a needle-receiving passageway in the end of said first jaw arm;

a supply of suture on said second jaw arm;

means on the end of said second jaw arm outward of said needle for gripping a length of suture from said supply across the path of said needle;

means operable to disengage said releasable connecting means when said jaw arms have pivoted to a relatively closed position; and

means then operable to restrain further relative movement between said jaw arms;

means responsive to further pivotal movement of said actuator lever toward said first lever for moving said needle into said suturing position; and

means on the end of said needle for grasping said length of suture during said movement.

2. The surgical suture application defined by claim 1 wherein:

the end of said needle is bifurcated.

3. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 including:

a reel carrying said supply of suture rotatably carried on said second jaw arm.

4. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 3 including:

a magazine containing said reel and said suture gripping means releasably carried on said second jaw arm.

5. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 including:

a clamp slidably carried on said first jaw arm;

spring means normally biasing said clamp across said passageway;

a camming surface on said clamp engageable by said needle moving into said suturing position to retract said clamp against said spring means; and

a gripping surface on said clamp to prevent withdrawal of a length of suture carried into said passageway by said needle.

6. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 wherein said releasable connecting means comprises:

a latch member carried on said second jaw arm engaging a surface on said actuator lever to form the connection therewith to transmit said pivotal movement through a predetermined angle toward said first jaw arm.

7. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 wherein said needle moving means comprises:

a pusher rod pivotally connected between said actuator lever and said needle and slidable along said second jaw arm.

8. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 7 wherein:

said needle is of arcuate configuration, and including;

a complementary, arcuate slideway in the end of said second jaw arm Opening toward said needle-receiving passageway.

9. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 wherein:

said suture grasping means comprises a bifurcation at the end of said needle.

10. The surgical suture applicator defined by claim 1 wherein:

said suture gripping means comprises a narrow slot at the end of said second jaw arm extending longitudinally thereof.