US5591181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical suturing apparatus with loading mechanism
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1995-12-11
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Granted: 1997-01-07
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Expires: 2015-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A surgical apparatus is provided for manipulating a surgical needle and an associated loading mechanism is provided for replacing the surgical needle. The surgical apparatus comprises an elongated body portion, first and second jaw elements extending from the body portion, securing means for securing the surgical needle, releasing means cooperating with the securing means for releasing the surgical needle and locking means cooperating with the securing means for preventing at least one of the jaw elements from moving. A loading mechanism is also provided and includes structure for supporting a surgical needle and a storage member for retaining at least a portion of a length of suture material attached to the surgical needle.
Inventors
- 👤 Corbett W. Stone
- 👤 Stephen W. Zlock
- 👤 David A. Nicholas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/2909; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/06; A61B17/062; A61B17/0625; A61B17/0401; A61B17/0491; A61B17/06114; A61B17/06119; A61B17/06123; A61B2017/00526; A61B2017/0053; A61B2017/0479; A61B17/06004; A61B2017/06019; A61B2017/06033; A61B2017/06047; A61B17/06066; A61B2017/06085; A61B2017/0609; A61B2017/2912; A61B2017/2919; A61B2017/292; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2932; A61B2017/2933; A61B2017/2936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A loading unit for loading a needle into at least one of a pair of jaws of a surgical suturing apparatus comprising: a body portion; a needle releasably supported in the body portion; wherein the body portion includes jaw receiving structure to receive at least one of the jaws of the suturing apparatus for loading the needle into at least one of the jaws.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
A loading unit for loading a needle into at least one of a pair of jaws of a surgical suturing apparatus comprising: a body portion; a needle releasably supported in the body portion; wherein the body portion includes jaw receiving structure to receive at least one of the jaws of the suturing apparatus for loading the needle into at least one of the jaws.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The loading unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the jaw receiving structure includes at least one cavity for receiving a pair of jaws of the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The loading unit as recited in claim 2, further comprising a mounting member for releasably holding the surgical needle transverse to the longitudinal axis of the loading unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The loading unit as recited in claim 3, further comprising alignment structure to align a tubular portion of the apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A loading unit for loading a suture into at least one of first and second jaws of a surgical suturing apparatus comprising: a body portion, the body potion including needle mounting structure configured to releasably mount a needle in the body portion and a cavity for receiving at least the first jaw such that movement of at least the first jaw within the cavity to a closed position enables the needle to be secured to the first jaw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
A loading unit for loading a suture into at least one of first and second jaws of a surgical suturing apparatus comprising: a body portion, the body potion including needle mounting structure configured to releasably mount a needle in the body portion and a cavity for receiving at least the first jaw such that movement of at least the first jaw within the cavity to a closed position enables the needle to be secured to the first jaw.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A loading unit as recited in claim 5, further comprising a surgical needle mounted within the mounting structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A loading unit as recited in claim 6, wherein the needle is mounted transverse to a longitudinal axis of the loading unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A loading unit as recited in claim 7, further comprising a suture connected to the surgical needle and releasably retained in the body portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-07 | 2000-07-08 | 2001-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-07 | 2004-07-08 | 2005-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-07 | 2008-07-08 | 2009-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |