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 suture onto a suturing instrument comprising
a suture receiving portion, the cartridge comprising:
a housing, wherein the housing comprises a channel for insertion thereto and withdrawal therefrom of the suturing instrument wherein the channel defines a channel longitudinal axis; and
a rocker configured to pivot within the housing, wherein the rocker comprises:
a seat for releasably holding a portion of the suture; and
a suture transfer mechanism comprising a push rod that is actuatable to transfer the portion of the suture from the seat onto the suture receiving portion along the channel longitudinal axis.
2. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the rocker further comprises a translation mechanism for aligning the seat with the suturing instrument.
3. The cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the translation mechanism moves the seat out of a path of the suturing instrument for withdrawal of the suturing instrument from the cartridge.
4. The cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the translation mechanism comprises a rotational mechanism.
5. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the seat is moveable to align with the suture receiving portion.
6. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises a projection defining the seat.
7. The cartridge of claim 6 , wherein the projection comprises one or more interference features for engaging with an interior of a portion of the suturing instrument for aligning the seat with a portion of the suturing instrument.
8. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the seat defines a seat cavity for retaining the portion of the suture, the portion of the suture comprising a suture end.
9. The cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising an instrument retention mechanism configured to allow advancement of the suturing instrument into the cartridge and to prevent premature retraction therefrom.
10. The cartridge of claim 9 , wherein the instrument retention mechanism comprises a lock.
11. The cartridge of claim 10 , wherein the cartridge comprises a lock release mechanism for disengaging the lock upon transfer of the portion of the suture onto the suturing instrument.
12. The cartridge of claim 11 , wherein the lock release mechanism is manually operable to disengage the lock.
13. The cartridge of claim 11 , wherein the lock release mechanism is configured to automatically disengage the lock upon transfer of the portion of the suture onto the suturing instrument.
14. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the rocker defines a channel in communication with the seat for allowing movement of the push rod therethrough for transferring the portion of the suture from the seat into the suturing instrument.
15. A suturing kit, comprising at least one suturing instrument and the cartridge of claim 1 .
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 portion and the distal portion for receiving a tissue to be sutured.
17. The kit of claim 16 , wherein the seat is moveable into the tissue receiving gap to align the seat with a portion of the suturing instrument.
18. The kit of claim 17 , wherein the seat is moveable out of the tissue receiving gap to allow for withdrawal of the suturing instrument from the cartridge.