Disposable loading unit for a vascular suturing instrument

摘要

A loading unit is provided for use with a surgical vascular suturing instrument. The loading unit is dimensioned and configured to securely retain a surgical needle and an associated length of suture in a position to be received by a jaw of the vascular suturing instrument. The loading unit generally includes one or more needle supply stations each of which include needle support structure and jaw receiving structure. The needle supporting structure releasably secures a surgical needle to the loading unit and the jaw receiving structure is dimensioned and configured to guide the jaw of a vascular suturing instrument about an end of the surgical needle. The needle supply station also includes a shield to protect the pointed end of the surgical needle during storage and transportation. The loading unit also includes suture retaining structure for holding the length of suture material attached to the surgical needle.