Apparatus and Methods for Loading Suture

Abstract

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.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cartridge for loading a pre-tied knot onto a suturing instrument, the cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge housing;   a knot slider for carrying a pre-tied knot thereabout; and   a knot slider release mechanism for detachably coupling the knot slider to the cartridge housing.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the knot slider release mechanism comprises a resilient member, the resilient member configured to release the knot slider from the cartridge housing upon insertion of a suturing instrument there-through. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the knot slider comprises an attachment mechanism for slidably engaging with the suturing instrument. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 3 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a hook. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 4 , wherein the hook is extendable, the hook being operable to move between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the knot slider comprises a suture housing for storing suture. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 6 , wherein the suture housing comprises tubing. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge of  claim 7 , wherein the tubing is wound about a portion of the knot slider. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge of  claim 8 , wherein the tubing comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the knot slider defines a channel for receiving the suturing instrument therein. 
     
     
         11 . The cartridge of  claim 10 , wherein the knot slider comprises a suspension spring mounted about the channel. 
     
     
         12 . The cartridge of  claim 10 , wherein the knot slider comprises an obstructing feature for preventing insertion of the suturing instrument into the cartridge in an inverted configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The cartridge of  claim 12 , wherein the obstructing feature comprises an obstruction feature resilient member. 
     
     
         14 . The cartridge of  claim 11 , wherein the suspension spring comprises silicone. 
     
     
         15 . A suturing kit, the kit comprising:
 at least one suturing instrument; and   at least one cartridge as for loading a pre-tied knot onto the suturing instrument, the cartridge comprising:   a cartridge housing;   a knot slider for carrying the pre-tied knot thereabout; and   a knot slider release mechanism for detachably coupling the knot slider to the cartridge housing.   
     
     
         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 and distal portions for receiving a tissue to be sutured. 
 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , the knot slider comprising an attachment mechanism for slidably engaging with the suturing instrument to enable positioning of the knot slider over the tissue receiving gap. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the suturing instrument defines a groove for receiving the attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , the groove defining a wall for limiting advancement of the attachment mechanism, to position the knot slider over the tissue receiving gap.