Stitching end effector

摘要

A stitching assembly including upper and lower cradles, upper and lower needles, and first and second sutures supported by the upper and lower needles respectively. The cradles moves along a curved path in relation to the carriages between advanced and retracted positions. When each cradle is moved from the retracted position towards the advanced position a stitch loop is formed when the respective needle is retracted. This process is repeated alternating between the first and second cradles with the upper and lower needles passing through the previous stitch loop formed by the other needle before passing through the tissue.

主权项

1. A stitching assembly comprising:
an upper cradle; an upper carriage configured to support the upper cradle for movement along a curved path between an advanced position and a retracted position relative to the upper carriage; an upper needle supported by and extending distally from the upper cradle; a first suture supported by the upper needle, the upper cradle and the upper carriage being configured to draw the first suture through tissue when the upper cradle moves towards the advanced position and configured to form a first stitch loop in the first suture when the upper cradle is moved from the advanced position towards the retracted position; a lower cradle; a lower carriage configured to support the lower cradle for movement along a curved path between an advanced position and a retracted position relative to the lower carriage; a lower needle supported by and extending distally from the lower cradle; and a second suture supported by the lower needle, the lower cradle and the lower carriage being configured to draw the second suture through tissue and the first stitch loop when the lower cradle moves towards the advanced position and configured to form a second stitch loop in the second suture when the lower cradle is moved from the advanced position towards the retracted position.