Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method of transporting suture materials deep within a patient's body cavity includes the providing of an elongated instrument having proximal and distal end portions and an elongated continuous bore with an internal diameter of about one millimeter or less. The elongated instrument is provided for gripping and transporting a length of suture material that is placed within the bore. The elongated length of suture shuttle material is placed in the bore, the shuttle having loops at each end. Each loop includes a short leader portion that is a single strand monofilament member at the end of the shuttle. The surgeon can then move the shuttle material and its loops through the bore after pushing a sharp end of the instrument through tissue to be sutured. The shuttle is then thrusted through the instrument and through the selected tissue until one or both of the loops passes through the instrument bore and the tissue. This allows the surgeon to add suture to either one of the loops either before or after being transported through the bore of the instrument.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim