CATHETER INTRODUCER WITH SUTURE CAPABILITY

摘要

An assembly (10) is provided for suturing an incision in a tissue wall of a patient. The assembly comprises a first elongated member (20) having a hollow portion and an opening through a sidewall adjacent the hollow portion. The assembly may further comprise a second elongated member (30) positioned about the first elongated member and having an access hole therethrough, and a needle (80) insertable through both the tissue wall and the access hole (46) to provide a pathway for insertion of the suture material through the opening and into the hollow portion. The second elongated member includes an expandable portion to define a cavity in alignment with the opening. Such expandable portion may comprise longitudinal slits (40) which expand to form wings (42). A third member is positioned on the second member and includes a lumen for guiding the needle toward the access hole in the second member.