Needle Cartridge with Moveable Cover
A needle cartridge is adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device. The cartridge comprises an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture. A cartridge body has a track that receives the needle and defining a circular path. A needle driver is operable to rotate the needle along the circular path. A cover is on the body and positioned over the needle in the track. The cover is selectively moveable relative to the body to release the needle from the track.
1 . A needle cartridge adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device, the cartridge comprising:
an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture;
a cartridge body having a track that receives the needle and defining a circular path;
a needle driver operable to rotate the needle along the circular path; and
a cover on the body and positioned over the needle in the track, the cover being selectively moveable relative to the body to release the needle from the track.
2 . The needle cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a hinge connecting the cover to the body.
3 . The needle cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the body has a longitudinal axis and the hinge is oriented normal to the longitudinal axis.
4 . The needle cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the body has a longitudinal axis and the hinge is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis.
5 . The needle cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a pivot connecting the cover to the body.
6 . The needle cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the cover rotates about the pivot in a plane parallel with the circular path.
7 . The needle cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the cover slides laterally relative the body.
8 . A needle cartridge adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device, the cartridge comprising:
an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture;
a cartridge body having a track that receives the needle and defining a circular path;
a needle driver operable to rotate the needle along the circular path;
a cover on the body positioned over the needle in the track; and
means for moving the cover to release the needle from the track.