FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPIC STITCHING DEVICES

摘要

An endoscopic stitching device is provided including a tool assembly havi ng a pair of juxtaposed jaws each defining a needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof; a selectively rotatably camming hub defining a helical groove formed in an outer surface thereof; a pair of axia lly translatable needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a r espective jaw, each blade having an advanced position wherein a distal end o f the blade is engageable with a suture needle, and a retracted position whe rein the distal end of the blade is out of engagement with the suture needle , wherein a proximal end of each blade is configured for slidable engagement in the helical groove of the camming hub; and a suture needle operatively a ssociated with the tool assembly.