Apparatus and Methods for Loading Suture
Various embodiments of a cartridge are disclosed, for loading a suture onto a suturing instrument and, in some embodiments, for loading a pre-tied knot formed from the suture onto the suturing instrument. The suturing instrument is typically of the type having a suture passing member defining a suture receiving passage therein. The cartridge may be operable to load the suture and/or the knot onto the suturing instrument at a point of use. In some embodiments, the cartridge defines a path for insertion thereto and withdrawal therefrom of the suturing instrument. The cartridge further comprises a seat for releasably holding a portion of a suture and a mechanism for transferring the suture from seat to the suturing instrument, various features of which are described herein.
1 . A cartridge for loading a pre-tied knot onto a suturing instrument, the cartridge comprising:
a cartridge housing;
a knot slider for carrying a pre-tied knot thereabout; and
a knot slider release mechanism for detachably coupling the knot slider to the cartridge housing.
2 . The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the knot slider release mechanism comprises a resilient member, the resilient member configured to release the knot slider from the cartridge housing upon insertion of a suturing instrument there-through.
3 . The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the knot slider comprises an attachment mechanism for slidably engaging with the suturing instrument.
4 . The cartridge of claim 3 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a hook.
5 . The cartridge of claim 4 , wherein the hook is extendable, the hook being operable to move between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.
6 . The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the knot slider comprises a suture housing for storing suture.
7 . The cartridge of claim 6 , wherein the suture housing comprises tubing.
8 . The cartridge of claim 7 , wherein the tubing is wound about a portion of the knot slider.
9 . The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the tubing comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
10 . The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the knot slider defines a channel for receiving the suturing instrument therein.
11 . The cartridge of claim 10 , wherein the knot slider comprises a suspension spring mounted about the channel.
12 . The cartridge of claim 10 , wherein the knot slider comprises an obstructing feature for preventing insertion of the suturing instrument into the cartridge in an inverted configuration.
13 . The cartridge of claim 12 , wherein the obstructing feature comprises an obstruction feature resilient member.
14 . The cartridge of claim 11 , wherein the suspension spring comprises silicone.
15 . A suturing kit, the kit comprising:
at least one suturing instrument; and
at least one cartridge as for loading a pre-tied knot onto the suturing instrument, the cartridge comprising:
a cartridge housing;
a knot slider for carrying the pre-tied knot thereabout; and
a knot slider release mechanism for detachably coupling the knot slider to the cartridge housing.
16 . The kit of claim 15 wherein the suturing instrument comprises:
a proximal portion;
a distal portion coupled to the proximal portion; and
a tissue receiving gap defined between the proximal and distal portions for receiving a tissue to be sutured.
17 . The kit of claim 16 , the knot slider comprising an attachment mechanism for slidably engaging with the suturing instrument to enable positioning of the knot slider over the tissue receiving gap.
18 . The kit of claim 17 , wherein the suturing instrument defines a groove for receiving the attachment mechanism.
19 . The kit of claim 18 , the groove defining a wall for limiting advancement of the attachment mechanism, to position the knot slider over the tissue receiving gap.