Importance

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Abstract

The suturing system includes a cannula that defines two adjacent lumens. One lumen carries a supply of anchor members that are joined together by a suture. The anchor members are moved by a supply rod, one at a time, from a lower lumen to an upper lumen. The upper lumen terminates in a sharpened tip that is pierced through tissue. The single anchor member that is moved into the upper lumen is then deployed into or behind the pierced tissue and the cannula is retracted. The rod for deploying the anchor member also temporarily blocks movement of additional anchor members from the lower to the upper lumen so that the surgeon can sufficiently tense the suture before piercing the tissue in an adjacent location and depositing a second anchor member. A series of anchor members joined by a continuous suture are deposited in this matter to suture together tissue. Also provided is a gun to which the cannula is mounted for one-handed operation of the system.

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First Claim