Importance

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Abstract

An instrument for facilitating the use of sutures in laparoscopic surgical procedures includes a hollow housing defining an internal cavity. A plunger extends within the cavity of the housing and is supported therein for relative sliding movement between first and second axial positions. A spring disposed within the cavity urges the plunger to the first axial position relative to the housing. A hollow introducer needle is secured to the housing and extends co-axially therefrom, terminating in an angled tip having a sharp point. An actuator tube is disposed within the introducer needle and is secured to the plunger for axial movement therewith relative to the housing. A flexible wire is disposed within portions of the actuator tube and is secured thereto for axial movement with the plunger in the introducer needle. The wire is resiliently predisposed to form a curved loop in a wire end thereof. When the plunger is in the first axial position, the wire end is withdrawn within the angled end of the introducer needle. When the plunger is moved to the second axial position, the wire end of the wire is extended outwardly from the angled end of the introducer needle. The wire end tends to form an open loop with a C-, J-, or S-shape when extended outwardly from the introducer needle.

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First Claim