Patent · US Expired

Medical instrument for driving a suture needle

US5015250A · kind A · utility

119Cited by
17References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 12, 1990
Grant dateMay 14, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 12, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/00349
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A needle driver instrument suitable for use with a trocar sheath in operative endoscopic surgical procedures such as laparoscopic and pelviscopic procedures is disclosed for driving a curved suture needle. The needle driver instrument comprises an elongated cylindrical tube member having a channel formed about the distal end thereof for receiving either a curved or a straight suture needle. The channel is transversely formed through the elongated member and has a plurality of surfaces to orient and fix the suture needle in a predetermined orientation. A wedge operable across the channel and through the passageway of the elongated member wedges the needle between at least two of the contact surfaces of the channel to fixedly position the suture needle in the desired orientation. At the proximal end of the device is a handle with a generally U-shaped spring extending therefrom for manual operation of the wedge. A rod extending from the wedge through the elongated member of the instrument is connected to the spring for actuation and operation of the wedge. The device is comprised of component parts which are easily disassembled for cleaning and sterilization.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.