Patent attributes
A suture manipulating instrument, includes: first and second handles manually movable relative to each other to open and closed positions; an elongated shaft having a proximal end fixed to the first handle, and a distal end defining a first jaw engageable with a suture to be manipulated; a second jaw movably mounted to the distal end of the elongated shaft to open and closed positions with respect to the first jaw; and a coupling between the second handle and the second jaw for moving the second jaw to its open and closed positions with respect to the first jaw upon movement of the second handle to open and closed positions with respect to the first handle. The first and second jaws are formed with confronting surfaces configured to firmly grasp a suture between them in the closed position of the second jaw with respect to the first jaw. The distal end of the first jaw is outwardly curved away from the axis of the shaft and is tapered towards its distal tip such as to define a piercing tip for piercing tissue by rotating the elongated shaft about its axis.
