Mechanism for endoscopic suturing device
First Claim
1. A loading unit for supplying a plurality of surgical needles to a surgical suturing apparatus comprising:
- a) a body portion having apparatus receiving structure formed thereon; and
b) at least one supply station configured to hold a surgical needle and movably mounted with respect to the body portion, the at least one supply station mounted for movement between a first position adjacent the apparatus receiving structure and a second position remote from the apparatus receiving structure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A loading unit is disclosed for supplying multiple surgical needles or surgical incision members and associated lengths of suture material for positioning the needle or surgical incision member within the jaws of a surgical suturing apparatus. The loading unit generally includes a body portion having apparatus receiving structure for receipt of the surgical suturing apparatus and a carousel rotatably affixed to the body portion and containing a plurality of supply stations thereon. The supply stations generally include a support member for supporting a central portion of a surgical needle and a storage member for temporarily securing a length of suture material associated with the surgical needle. The apparatus receiving structure includes structure for aligning and maintaining the surgical suturing apparatus in position on the loading unit until such time as a surgical incision member has been inserted into jaws associated with the surgical suturing apparatus. Preferably, the apparatus receiving structure includes structure for gasping an elongate portion of the surgical suturing apparatus and structure for supporting jaw members associated with the surgical suturing apparatus. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the suture storage members consist of a suture reel which is positioned in a plane offset from the needle support members.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A loading unit for supplying a plurality of surgical needles to a surgical suturing apparatus comprising:
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a) a body portion having apparatus receiving structure formed thereon; and b) at least one supply station configured to hold a surgical needle and movably mounted with respect to the body portion, the at least one supply station mounted for movement between a first position adjacent the apparatus receiving structure and a second position remote from the apparatus receiving structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22)
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16. A loading unit for supplying multiple surgical needles and each connected to a length suture to a surgical suturing apparatus comprising:
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a) a body portion having apparatus receiving structure for receipt of at least a portion of a surgical suturing apparatus; b) a carousel rotatably affixed to the body portion; and c) a plurality of supply stations on the carousel. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of successively supplying surgical needles to a surgical suturing apparatus comprising:
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a) providing a loading unit having apparatus receiving structure on a body portion thereof and a carousel, containing a plurality of supply stations and rotatably mounted on the body portion, each supply station having a mounting member releasably supporting a surgical needle; b) aligning a supply station adjacent the apparatus receiving structure; c) positioning at least a distal end of a surgical suturing apparatus within the apparatus receiving structure such that jaws associated with the surgical suturing apparatus are positioned adjacent the mounting member; d) closing the jaws to firmly grasp the surgical needle therebetween; and e) pulling the surgical needle free of the mounting member.
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Specification