Importance

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Abstract

An instrument for suturing anatomical tissue with a suture needle includes a housing, an elongate shaft having a proximal end mounted by the housing and a distal end with a peripheral edge, a first needle holder protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft and having a needle holding member at a distal end operable to grasp and release a suture needle, and a second needle holder protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft and having a needle holding member at a distal end operable to grasp and release a suture needle. Distal portions of the first and second needle holders extend laterally outward at an angle from first and second longitudinal axes of the elongate shaft to positions where at least a portion of the corresponding needle holding members are spaced laterally outward of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft. In addition, the needle holders are rotatable about the first and second longitudinal axes of the elongate shaft to cause the corresponding needle holding members to move along first and second arcuate paths. When inserting the suturing instrument through a portal in an endoscopic procedure, the first and second needle holders are preferably movable to undeployed positions where their needle holding members are spaced laterally inward of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft. When suturing, the needle holding members can be moved from their undeployed positions to deployed positions disposed laterally outward of the peripheral edge due to the angled configuration of the distal portions of the needle holders.

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First Claim