Patent attributes
The surgical suturing instrument incorporates a pressurized fluid suture feed system for passing a suture through the instrument and the tissues to be joined thereby. A fluid jet in communication with a suture feed conduit selectively entrains a suture in a stream of pressurized fluid, which carries the suture through the instrument's hollow tissue penetrating needle. The tissue penetrating needle may be shaped to direct the suture's free end to a point external the body cavity. Alternatively, a suture return conduit may be provided to engage the hollow tissue penetrating needle to receive and carry the suture's leading end to a point external the body cavity. External or internal pressurized fluid sources are utilized. A surface irregularity proximal the suture's leading end enhances the entrainment of the suture with the fluid stream. Individual, cartridge and spool fed sutures may all be utilized.
