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Automatic needle-passer suturing instrument

  • US 5,814,054 A
  • Filed: 09/23/1996
  • Issued: 09/29/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A suturing instrument for use in conjunction with a needle, comprising:

  • a) a flexible tubular member having a distal end;

    b) an actuation means extending through said tubular member, said actuation means having a handle means and one of a control wire and a push rod, said handle means being coupled to said one of said control wire and said push rod for moving said one of said control wire and said push rod relative to said tubular member;

    c) first and second stitching end effectors coupled to said tubular member, at least one of said first end second stitching end effectors adapted to move relative to the other, said first and second stitching end effectors having a releasable needle gripping means for releasably gripping the needle; and

    d) an automatic needle switching means coupled to said needle gripping means and activated by said actuation means,wherein said first and second stitching end effectors are adapted to be movable from a first position to a second position to a third position to a fourth position and back to said first position, and in said first position said first and second stitching end effectors are in an open position and said first end effector is adapted to grip the needle, in said second position said first and second stitching end effectors are in a closed position and said first end effector is adapted to automatically release the needle and said second end effector is adapted to automatically grip the needle, in said third position said first and second stitching end effectors are in said open position and said second end effector is adapted to grip the needle, and in said fourth position said first and second stitching end effectors are in said closed position and said first end effector is adapted to automatically grip the needle and said second end effector is adapted to automatically release the needle.

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