CPC A61B 17/0057 (2013.01) [A61B 17/0469 (2013.01); A61B 17/0482 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00243 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00575 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00623 (2013.01); A61B 2017/047 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0472 (2013.01)] | 17 Claims |
1. A suturing apparatus for suturing tissue, comprising:
a first elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a first longitudinal axis;
a first spreader assembly coupled to and extending from the distal end of the first elongate body such that the first spreader assembly is coaxial with the first elongate body along the first longitudinal axis, the first spreader assembly comprising:
a first suture clasp arm configured to hold a first suture end portion, the first suture clasp arm being pivotably moveable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the first longitudinal axis; and
a first suture catch mechanism slidably housed in said first elongate body, the first suture catch mechanism being movable in a first direction through a first portion of the tissue to engage a distal end of the first suture catch mechanism with the first suture end portion held by the first suture clasp arm when the first suture clasp arm is in the extended position prior to engagement with the first suture catch mechanism; and
a second elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, and defining a second longitudinal axis, the second elongate body is discrete from the first elongate body, the second elongate body comprising:
a second suture clasp arm adapted to hold a second suture end portion, the second suture clasp arm being pivotably moveable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the second longitudinal axis; and
a second suture catch mechanism slidably housed in said second elongate body, the second suture catch mechanism being movable in a second direction through a second portion of the tissue to engage a distal end of the second suture catch mechanism with the second suture end portion held by the second suture clasp arm when the second suture clasp arm is in the extended position prior to engagement with the second suture catch mechanism.
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