Jawed Receiver for Needle Cartridge

Abstract

A surgical suturing device comprises a cartridge having a needle and suture. An elongate shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. An actuator is connected to the proximal end of the elongate shaft. A pair of jaws is connected to the distal end of the elongate shaft. The jaws have a closed position adapted to receive and retain the cartridge, and wherein the jaws are latched in the closed position. The jaws also have a partially opened position adapted to release the cartridge wherein the jaws are biased by a spring from the first opened position towards the closed position. The jaws also have and a fully opened position spaced apart further than the partially opened position, wherein spring does not bias the jaws towards the closed position.

1 . A surgical suturing device, comprising:
 a cartridge comprising a surgical needle, a length of suture connected to the needle, and a needle driver operative to engage and move the needle relative the cartridge;   an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;   an actuator connected to the proximal end of the elongate shaft;   a receiver connected to the distal end of the elongate shaft, the receiver comprising a pair of jaws that pivot relative each other having a closed position configured to retain the cartridge between the jaws and an opened position configured to release the cartridge from the receiver.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 1 , wherein the jaws comprise a stationary jaw and a pivoting jaw. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the stationary jaw comprises a rotary drive and the cartridge comprises a rotary input configured to engage the rotary drive. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the stationary jaw comprises two longitudinal rails configured to receive the cartridge and laterally retain the cartridge. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 2 , wherein the pivoting jaw comprises a resiliently biased tooth oriented toward the stationary jaw, the tooth being configured to engage and distally retain the cartridge. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 2 , further comprising a spring biasing the pivoting jaw towards the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a button operative to move the jaws from the closed position to the opened position. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 8 , wherein the button is positioned adjacent the jaws. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 8 , further comprising a cam slot on the pivoting jaw, a follower connected to the button, wherein the follower moves in a cam slot such that actuation of the button drives the follower along the cam slot to open and close the jaws. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 10 , further comprising a spring acting on the button and biasing the jaws closed. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a handle. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 1 , wherein in the closed position the jaws are parallel and spaced apart from one another. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 1 , where in the open position the jaws are at an oblique angle relative each other. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical suturing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock retaining the jaws in the closed position.