Endoscopic suturing needle

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said housing is tubular; said needle means extends through and beyond said housing.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: switch means on said handle to selectively extend and retract said needle means with respect to said housing; lock means on said switch means to prevent extension of said needle means out of said housing as the apparatus is withdrawn from tissue while engaging a suture.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: means for defeating said lock means selectively operable by actuation of said switch means.

Claim 6

The apparatus for endoscopic suturing of claim 1, further comprising: switch means on said handle to selectively extend and retract said needle means with respect to said housing; and lock means internally of said handle and operably connected to said switch means for automatic retention of said switch means within said handle once said switch means is moved into position retracting said needle toward said housing.

Claim 7

An instrument comprising: a handle; a housing mounted to said handle and having a breadth, distal and proximal ends at least one side surface; a needle mounted within and extending distally from said housing; a suture having a plurality of ends; means on said needle to accept said suture intermediate its ends; said needle selectively retractable toward said housing for retaining said suture between said housing and said needle, as said handle is moved with respect to body tissue; said needle having at least one edge surface; a portion of said needle having a breadth at least as large as the breadth of said housing, whereupon when said needle is retracted within said housing, it cannot be fully drawn into said housing; end said at least one edge surface on said needle positioned in substantial alignment with said side surface of said housing, to present a smooth transition therebetween when said needle is retracted toward said housing,

Claim 8

An instrument comprising: a handle; a housing mounted to said handle and having a breadth, distal and proximal ends at least one side surface; a needle mounted within and extending distally from said housing; a suture having a plurality of ends; means on said needle to accept said suture intermediate its ends; said needle selectively retractable toward said housing for retaining said suture between said housing and said needle, as said handle is moved with respect to body tissue; said needle having at least one edge surface; a portion of said needle having a breadth at least as large as the breadth of said housing, whereupon when said needle is retracted within said housing, it cannot be fully drawn into said housing; end said at least one edge surface on said needle positioned in substantial alignment with said side surface of said housing, to present a smooth transition therebetween when said needle is retracted toward said housing,

Claim 9

The instrument of claim 6, comprising: means to retain said needle in a retracted position while the instrument is pulled through tissue by said handle, thereby securing the suture; switch means on said handle operatively engaged to said means to retain for selective defeating thereof to allow extension of said needle with respect to said housing for release of said suture.

Claim 12

The method of claim 8, wherein said trapping step further comprises: moving an open segment of said hook within said housing.

Claim 13

The method of claim 9, further comprising: presenting a smooth transition between said needle and said housing upon trapping said suture for minimizing tissue trauma during said suturing by providing both said needle and said housing with substantially aligned profiles at said transition.

Claim 14

The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: actuating said needle by a switch on a handle mounted with said needle; latching said needle in a retracted position to avoid accidental release of a suture; selectively overcoming said latching to allow said needle to disengage the suture.