The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 17, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 17, 2002
John Donald Hill, San Francisco, CA (US);
Geoff Briggs, Los Altos, CA (US);
Michael Sims, Montara, CA (US);
Richard C. Fortier, Concord, MA (US);
Denis Labombard, Georgetown, MA (US);
Gary R. Whipple, Attleboro, MA (US);
John Donald Hill, San Francisco, CA (US);
Geoff Briggs, Los Altos, CA (US);
Michael Sims, Montara, CA (US);
Richard C. Fortier, Concord, MA (US);
Denis LaBombard, Georgetown, MA (US);
Gary R. Whipple, Attleboro, MA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A suture placement device includes a crook-shaped needle having a suture passage through which a suture thread passes; a suture opening in a tip portion of the needle, from which the suture thread exits the needle; and a bend in the needle including an open portion of the suture passage. The bend defines a suture capture zone in which the suture thread is separated from the needle. A shuttle includes a shuttle body and a shuttle hook. The shuttle hook is formed at a distal end of the shaft. The needle and the shuttle extend from the barrel, and the barrel includes a source of the suture thread and a rotating shaft or cable that causes the shuttle to traverse over the needle. A guide groove guides the shuttle over the needle. The shuttle hook engages the suture thread in the suture capture zone and draws the suture thread to the barrel.