Patent attributes
A suturing instrument and methods for placing mattress stitches in soft tissues comprises an elongate shaft with a stationary jaw and a movable jaw disposed at a distal end thereof. The movable jaw is coupled to a handle grip at the proximal end of the shaft and is configured to manipulate the movable jaw into open and closed positions respective to the stationary jaw. The jaws are configured to permit atraumatic grasping of soft tissues to be sutured. The stationary jaw is comprised of a serrated face, incorporating apertures through which needles may be driven distally into and through the grasped tissue and into needle capture cans attached to opposing ends of a single strand of suture material. The serrated upper jaw is configured with capture means adapted to accept and capture the needles and suture. The handle is released to open the movable jaw, after which the instrument may be withdrawn, trailing the suture, and leaving a mattress stitch in the grasped tissue.
