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.

A device for positioning suture through tissue, the device including a proximal elongate member having a longitudinal axis, the proximal elongate member being configured to receive a needle, and a tissue locator disposed distal the proximal elongate member, the tissue locator being coupled to an elongate member extending through the proximal elongate member and including a leg with a needle receiving opening configured to accommodate the needle. Proximal movement of the elongate member compresses the tissue locator and folds the leg of the tissue locator, the leg transitioning from extending longitudinally to extending outwardly in relation to a position of the leg in a pre-compressed state.

A surgical instrument system comprising a first motor, a second motor, and a third motor is disclosed. The surgical instrument system comprises a first handle comprising a first number of controls, a second handle comprising a second number of controls, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly is attachable to the first handle in a first orientation in order to engage one of the motors. The shaft assembly is attachable to the second handle in a second orientation to engage a different motor. The surgical instrument system is configured to perform a different function of an end effector in the first orientation and the second orientation.

Various embodiments of a cartridge for loading a suture onto a suturing instrument are disclosed. In some embodiments, the cartridge is operable 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. In some embodiments, the cartridge comprises a housing defining a chamber, and a partially pre-tied knot mounted about the housing or the chamber. The cartridge additionally provides a base coupled to the housing, the base defining a seat for releasably holding a portion of a suture to be aligned with, and transferred to, the suturing instrument. The portion of the suture may be held independently, or it may be coupled to a component such as a ferrule or shuttle.

A surgical suture apparatus for passing a double-ended surgical needle forwards and backwards includes a first and second jaw element, and an operating device to operate a first holding device in the first jaw element and a second holding device in the second jaw element to alternately hold a first needle-end by the first holding device and a second needle-end by the second holding device. The first jaw element and second jaw element are movable with respect to each other between a take-over position and an open position. The operating device includes a switch device movable between a first operating position, in which a needle is held by the first holding device, and a second operating position, in which the needle is held by the second holding device, and an activation device configured to move the switch device between the first operating position and the second operating position. The activation device includes a spring and a release device.

Self-retaining sutures having a first end for penetrating tissue and an elongated suture body comprising a plurality of intermittent apertures structured to enable formation of knotless suture loop closures that securely hold opposing tissue faces together due to the presence of the intermittent apertures through the suture that permit one-way passage of the suture body thus forming a self-retaining or self-engaging loop in the suture that does not slip backwards. Once a desired loop size is formed between tissue faces by pulling the suture through one of the intermittent apertures in the suture thread, the suture thread is clipped and a further loop is begun using the remainder of the suture thread affixed to the suture needle.

A meniscal repair needle, comprising a needle rod, wherein the front section of the needle rod is warped in the shape of an arc and gradually reduces in size to form a needle tip as it extends forward, wherein the needle rod is configured to be a hollow structure, wherein a notch is formed in a front section of the needle rod, and wherein the notch expands inwards from the surface of the needle rod forming a hook portion, wherein an inner cavity of the needle rod extends into the notch, and wherein a hook tip of the hook portion faces the rear of the needle rod, wherein a rear section of the needle rod is connected with a hand-held portion.

A port site closure instrument includes a pair of wings and a body having proximal, central, and distal portions. The proximal portion defines a proximal suture aperture and first and second needle apertures. The central portion defines third and fourth needle apertures. A first needle channel is defined through the body communicating the first and third needle apertures. A second needle channel is defined through the body communicating the second and fourth needle apertures. The distal portion defines distal suture apertures. A first suture channel is defined by the body communicating the proximal and distal suture apertures. The pair of wings is pivotally supported by the distal portion of the body. Each of the wings define a suture slot such that a suture exiting one of the distal suture apertures and positioned in the suture slots is aligned with one of the first or second needle channels.

A magnet-assisted suture grasper for grasping a magnetic suture is provided. The magnet-assisted suture grasper includes a handle, a stem, first and second grasper jaws, a grasper magnet. and an actuator body. Distal ends of the first and second grasper jaws extend further distally than the grasper magnet. Translation of the actuator body within a stem lumen in a first direction along a stem body axis causes the first grasper jaw to pivot from a first position to a second position, thereby exposing the grasper magnet and allowing contact between the grasper magnet and a magnetic suture attracted thereto. Translation of the actuator body within the stem lumen in a second direction opposite the first direction along the stem body axis causes the first grasper jaw to pivot from the second position to the first position, thereby sequestering the grasper magnet and grasping the magnetic suture within the recess.

According to one aspect, a medical device including a needle configured for use in suturing tissue is described. The needle may include a cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis extending between first and second ends of the cylindrical body. The needle may also include a lumen extending through the cylindrical body transverse to the longitudinal axis. The needle may further include a first end portion at the first end of the cylindrical body. The first end portion may include a sharp point configured to pierce tissue. An outer surface of the cylindrical body may define a first recess in communication with an opening of the lumen and configured to receive an end of a suture.