SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR POSITIONING SUTURE KNOTS
A knot positioning implement that includes an elongated tube that has an interior and first and second opposite ends that each have an opening therein. The first end of the elongated tube is forked and the second end includes a threaded connector. The implement further includes a fiberoptic core that includes at least one fiberoptic strand extending through the interior of the elongated tube. Light is transmitted through the opening in the first end of the elongated tube when the at least one fiberoptic strand is energized.
1 . A knot positioning implement comprising
a. an elongated tube having an interior and first and second opposite ends each having an opening therein, wherein the first end of the elongated tube is forked and wherein the second end includes a threaded connector, and
b. a fiberoptic core comprising at least one fiberoptic strand extending through the interior of the elongated tube, whereby light is transmitted through the opening in the first end of the elongated tube when the at least one fiberoptic strand is energized.
2 . The threading device of claim 1 wherein the threaded connector comprises external threads on the elongated tube.
3 . The threading device of claim 2 , wherein the elongated tube is made of metal.
4 . The threading device of claim 3 wherein the fiberoptic core includes a plurality of fiberoptic strands.
5 . A method of positioning a suture knot under the skin of a person, the method comprising the steps of:
a. providing a knot positioning implement comprising an elongated tube having an interior and first and second opposite ends each having an opening therein, wherein the first end of the elongated tube is forked, thereby defining a recess, and wherein the second end includes a threaded connector,
b. pulling two ends of a suture through an opening in the skin,
c. tying the two ends of the suture into a knot,
d. placing the knot into the recess in the forked end of the knot positioning implement, and
e. pushing the knot through the opening in the skin using the knot positioning implement.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the knot positioning implement includes a fiberoptic core comprising at least one fiberoptic strand extending through the interior of the elongated tube, whereby light is transmitted through the opening in the first end of the elongated tube when the at least one fiberoptic strand is energized.
7 . The method of claim 6 wherein the opening in the skin includes a skin port inserted therein through which the knot positioning implement and knot are inserted.
8 . The method of claim 5 wherein the knot positioning implement is connected to a handset before step (d).
9 . The method of claim 5 wherein the knot positioning implement is connected to a handset before step (d), and wherein the handset includes a fiberoptic core that illuminates the fiberoptic core of the knot positioning implement.