Patent attributes
A suturing instrument and method for placing mattress stitches in soft tissues is described. An elongate shaft with a stationary jaw and a moveable jaw disposed at the distal end is coupled to a handle grip at the proximal end configured to manipulate the jaws into open and closed positions. The jaws are configured to allow for atraumatic grasping of soft tissues. The stationary jaw is comprised of a serrated face incorporating apertures through which needles attached to opposite ends of a single strand of suture material may be driven out into and through grasped tissue. The serrated upper jaw is configured with needle catch adapted to accept and capture the needles and suture. The handle is released to open the moveable jaw, the instrument may be withdrawn, trailing the suture, and leaving a mattress stitch in the grasped tissue.
