SUTURE FEEDING AND TENSIONING DEVICE

摘要

A device (1) for use in conjunction with a surgical stitch-forming device whereby suture material (7) is fed through a housing (3) from a rotatable suture driver member (2) within the housing. The suture drive member (2) includes a suture engaging channel (9) which rotates with the spool, and engages with a section of the suture during rotation of the suture drive member (2) to feed the suture out of the device. Tension can be applied to the suture let out of the device by rotating the supply spool in the opposite direction. Feeding, and tensioning of the suture are resistant to slippage and non-damaging to the suture due to a large suture gripping force distributed over a relatively large contact area.