Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An instrument for holding a suture needle (106), the instrument comprising a tubular member (101) with a transverse opening (105) therein proximate the distal end thereof, the opening serving to receive the needle, and an elongated arrangement (212,214) movable within and along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member and operable to exert a force on the needle and to thereby secure the latter in the opening, characterised in that the end of the elongated arrangement has a beveled surface inclined to said longitudinal axis and serving to exert a force on the needle in a direction inclined to the axis, thereby clamping the needle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
An instrument according to claim 1, characterised in that the opening is a channel (105) with an entrance thereto for laterally receiving the needle, and in that the beveled surface is inclined so that the said force is exerted in a direction away from the said entrance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An instrument according to claim 2, characterised in that the interior of the channel is shaped to conform to the contour of part of the said needle, to minimize rotation of the needle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An instrument according to claim 3, characterised in that the said beveled surface is adapted to conform to the contour of another part of the said needle to further minimize the said rotation, and increase the clamping.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An instrument according to claim 4, characterised in that the beveled surface is formed of a plurality of parts conforming to the contour(s) of the said other part of the needle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An instrument according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the elongated arrangement is spring urged toward the channel, and is solid and/or tubular, and in that when the arrangement is tubular, the beveled surface is formed by the edge of a tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
An instrument according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the channel has a first contact surface (205) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a second surface (204) at an acute angle with respect to the first surface, so as to form two clamping surfaces for the needle, a third clamping surface being provided by the said beveled surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An instrument according to any one preceding claim, further characterised by a handle (108) attached to the proximal end of the instrument, and with a control member (109) for releasing and engaging the elongated arrangement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An instrument according to claim 8, characterised in that the control member is spring loaded (109) to urge the elongated arrangement along the tubular member and a handle passage into the clamped condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An instrument according to claim 9, characterised in that the elongated arrangement includes a segment (214) movable within the tubular member and the passageway (101,312) of the handle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
An instrument according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the control member is in the form of a hand operated spring with one end connected to the proximal end of the instrument and the other end movable to move the elongated segment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
A medical instrument for driving a suture needle through tissue, comprising: an elongated member having a longitudinal passageway therein; a channel capable of receiving said needle and positioned in said elongated member about a distal end thereof and transverse through said passageway; and a wedge positioned within said passageway and operable across said channel to secure said needle between said elongated member and said wedge when said needle is positioned in said channel.