Surgical suturing apparatus with needle position indicator
First Claim
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1. A surgical suturing apparatus, comprising:
- a suture housing;
a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, as well as an inner surface and an exterior surface, the needle being mounted within the suture housing for movement about a complete revolution of a predetermined continuous circular path;
a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the circular path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and
means for determining the position of and providing tactile feedback regarding at least one of the distal end of the needle and the proximal end of the needle at all points along the circular path about which the needle moves, the means for determining position and providing tactile feedback including a spring ratchet pawl lock directly secured along the suture housing for engaging a recess formed along the needle, the spring ratchet pawl lock includes a pawl lock lever arm having a first end pivotally secured to the housing at a position along a forward end of the needle path and a second end extending toward and into contact with the exterior surface of the needle.
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Abstract
A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the needle being mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, and mechanism for determining the position of at least one of the distal end of the needle and the proximal end of the needle at all points along the arcuate path about which the needle moves.
228 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A surgical suturing apparatus, comprising:
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a suture housing; a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, as well as an inner surface and an exterior surface, the needle being mounted within the suture housing for movement about a complete revolution of a predetermined continuous circular path; a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the circular path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and means for determining the position of and providing tactile feedback regarding at least one of the distal end of the needle and the proximal end of the needle at all points along the circular path about which the needle moves, the means for determining position and providing tactile feedback including a spring ratchet pawl lock directly secured along the suture housing for engaging a recess formed along the needle, the spring ratchet pawl lock includes a pawl lock lever arm having a first end pivotally secured to the housing at a position along a forward end of the needle path and a second end extending toward and into contact with the exterior surface of the needle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A surgical suturing apparatus, comprising:
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a suture housing; a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, as well as an inner surface and an exterior surface, the needle being mounted within the suture housing for movement about a complete revolution of a predetermined continuous circular path; a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the circular path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and means for determining the position of and providing tactile feedback regarding, a predetermined point on the needle relative to the needle'"'"'s path of travel when the predetermined point is not visually detectable, the means for determining position and providing tactile feedback including a spring ratchet pawl lock directly secured along the suture housing for engaging a recess formed along the needle, the spring ratchet pawl lock includes a pawl lock lever arm having a first end pivotally secured to the housing at a position along a forward end of the needle path and a second end extending toward and into contact with the exterior surface of the needle. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification