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Abstract

A surgical knot pusher device is described which has a knot pushing head mounted on the distal end of an elongated rod. The head of the device has a smoothly radiused knot pushing surface on the leading edge with two symmetrical suture paths which curve smoothly away from the knot pushing surface. The suture rests in a shallow groove which has a wall on either side to keep the suture in the groove. Near the leading edge of the pushing head the walls of the groove are lower so that the knot can be pushed directly against the tissue being sutured. On one side of the knot pushing head, there is a single eyelet in the path of one of the suture ends. The eyelet is made so that the suture can be easily threaded through the eyelet with the curved needle which is on the end of the suture without any need to remove the needle. Preferably, at least the head of the device is made from polysulfone or another suitable plastic material. A method for tying knots in surgical sutures using the surgical knot pusher device is described with special reference to using the device and method for endoscopic surgery. The surgical knot pusher device is especially well adapted for tying sutures in a new procedure for closed chest mitral valve replacement surgery. A method of using the surgical knot pusher device for tying knots in sutures to secure a valve prosthesis in place during closed chest mitral valve replacement surgery is described.

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