Inventors:
Frederick K. Toy - Seaford DE
Roy T. Smoot - Seaford DE
Robert H. LaPrad - Seaford DE
Assignee:
W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. - Newark DE
International Classification:
A61B 1704
Abstract:
An endoscopic suturing device is provided for manipulating a suture to form a stitch through a tissue within a body cavity. The suturing device comprises a needle with a shaft, a pointed head located at the distal end of the needle shaft, a hook formed proximally to the pointed head, and a latch for opening and closing the hook. The latch is biased to the open position. A tubular sheath is provided which is concentric with the needle shaft, the needle shaft being frictionally slidable within the tubular shaft. The suture is clamped by the device by inserting the suture into the hook and sliding the tubular sheath over the latch, thereby closing the hook. The suture can then be released by sliding the tubular sheath to uncover the latch, thereby opening the hook.