Method and apparatus for intracorporeal suturing

摘要

A suturing device includes a rod partially covered by an elongate tube. A guide containing a one way slot is mounted to an end of the rod; a similar guide is mounted to the same end of the tube. The rod and tube may be rotated with respect to each other by manipulating an attached handle. A suturing needle with suture material attached may be fitted into a slot in one of the guides. Rotating the guides allows the needle to be passed between the needle guides, and the one way slot action allows the needle to be separated from one of the guides, so that the needle may passed around the device in an approximate circle. The device may be moved longitudinally as the needle is passed between the needle guides to form a series of stitches.