Automatically reloading suture passer devices and methods

摘要

Suture passers and methods of use. Described herein are suture passers preloaded with suture, including cartridges that couple to a suture passer to form a loaded suture passer; the suture passer may be operated to pass one or more lengths of suture without having to be manually reloaded. In particular, described herein are preloaded and automatically reloading apparatuses typically.

主权项

1. A replaceable jaw cartridge that is preloaded with suture, for use with a suture passer device, the jaw cartridge comprising:
a jaw housing configured to releasably engage the suture passer device; a tissue penetrator configured to slide distally and proximally within the jaw housing; a suture within the jaw housing, the suture comprising a first bight region loaded in a suture engagement region at a distal end region of the tissue penetrator, and a second bight region loaded in a suture holding region within the jaw housing; and a releasable hold on the tissue penetrator that releasably secures a first end region of the suture against the tissue penetrator; wherein the releasable hold is configured to cooperate with the suture holding region to hold a portion of the suture between the first end region and the second bight region so that the portion is held loosely within the jaw housing when the tissue penetrator is extended distally but the portion is in tension when the tissue penetrator is withdrawn proximally so that the second bight region is loaded into the suture engagement region after the first bight region has been removed from the suture engagement region.