Abstract: An apparatus is provided for suturing a perforation in a side wall of a patient's blood vessel. The apparatus includes an outer sheath having a longitudinal passage defined therethrough. The outer sheath is adapted to be inserted through the perforation in the patient's blood vessel. The apparatus includes at least a first suture point and at least a first suture thread attached to said first suture point. A carrier device is provided for carrying the first suture point in a distal direction through the longitudinal passage of the outer sheath into the patient's blood vessel and for pulling the first suture point in a proximal direction through the side wall of the patient's blood vessel. At least two such suture points and suture threads are preferably so attached to the patient's blood vessel and are then utilized to close the perforation.

Abstract: A method and device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue. A particular utility is effected in the approximation of the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the loading of suture material including needles into the device, introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides either simultaneously or individually to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture may then be tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping and cutting viscera in abdominal or thoracic cavities has an elongated tubular support for two toothed jaws which are pivoted to one end of the support. The latter can receive a prefabricated carriage with two needles and a length of thread connected to the rear ends of the needles. A sleeve is employed to close the jaws or to permit the jaws to open under spring bias, and a handle is provided to move a piston which is reciprocable in the support to expel the needles from the carriage, through a plug at the front end of the support and through channels in the jaws whose teeth define a zig-zag shaped clearance for a selected portion of a viscus. The needles are thereupon extracted from the jaws into a body cavity whereby the thread forms stitches which connect mutually inclined parts of the clamped portion of a viscus to each other before the needles are detached from and the thread is tightened around the selected portion of the viscus.

Abstract: A looper (2) for single-thread chainstitch sewing machines comprises for the purpose of forming a chainstitch a thread guiding surface (22), which is disposed substantially parallel to the feed path of the looper. A thread driving device (23) and a thread retaining device (24), which is formed as a retaining step (25), render possible the interlinking of a sewing thread (8) with itself. (FIG.

Abstract: A suture device including a hook needle, a body portion which fits within a wound site and a handle portion pivotally attached to the body portion. The needle is J-shaped with a long straight part and short curved part terminating in a pointed end. The long part of the needle slides in a channel in the handle portion and the pointed end moves axially toward and away from the handle with the curved part of the needle facing internal organs during closure of a wound site in an abdominal cavity.

Abstract: A suture applying device comprises a shaft which carries a pair of needles near its distal end. The needles are joined by a length of suture, and the shaft is used to both introduce the needles into a lumen of a body structure and to push the needles back through tissue on either side of the puncture site. After the needles have passed through the tissue, they are captured on the shaft and drawn outward through the tract, leaving a loop of suture behind to close the puncture site near the body lumen. The suture can then be tied and the knot pushed back through the tract to complete the closure. Alternatively, a locking fastener formed of a resorbable material can be placed into the penetration over the sutures and the sutures tied over the fastener.

Abstract: A suture driver for clamping a suture in the hollow passage and a recessed channel thereof and manipulating the suture to and from a surgical site. The driver includes an outer member tube having a closed and pointed distal end for percutaneous introduction into the body of a patient. The outer tube also includes a recessed channel positioned proximal the closed distal end of the hollow passage extending longitudinally therein and for receiving the suture therein. An inner rod is positioned in the passage of the outer tube and has a clamping surface at the distal end thereof for engaging a suture positioned in the recessed channel. The inner rod is slid through the recessed channel to clamp the suture in the hollow passage of the outer tube against another clamping surface at the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: An instrument for closing trocar puncture wounds having a handle assembly with a stationary portion and a movable portion; an elongated portion attached at a proximal end thereof to the stationary portion of the handle assembly; and needle deploying means associated with the elongated portion. The needle deploying means includes: an actuator member having a proximal end operably connected to the movable portion of the handle assembly and a distal end disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated portion, the actuator member being slidable between a first position and a second position; and at least one needle carrier member mounted adjacent the distal end of the actuator member, the needle carrier being slidable relative to the actuator member upon movement thereof, between a retracted position substantially within the elongated portion and an extended position substantially without the elongated portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical suture instrument specifically designed for suturing body tissues in enclosed surgical operations. The instrument includes a casing with a slot for housing a suture needle. The needle includes a first puncture end and a second manipulation end. The needle is pivotally positioned on an axis within the casing, such that the puncture end may be exposed or retracted as needed. The casing also includes equipment to manipulate the needle within the casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical suturing devices, particularly for use in laparoscopic surgery. The surgical suturing device has a tubular elongated shaft terminating into a jaw assembly at the distal end and a handle assembly at the proximal end thereof. The jaw assembly includes a first jaw member pivotally connected to a second jaw member. An actuator rod extending longitudinally within the length of said shaft is connected at its proximal end to said handle assembly and is pivotally connected at its distal end to said jaw assembly. The underside of said first jaw member is provided with a cupped recess having a wheel assembly disposed therein. The wheel assembly includes a needle mount for securably retaining a needle and is configured such that the needle lies within the cupped recess when the jaw members are closed and can be deployed in a protracted position away from the first jaw member when the jaw members are in an open position.

Abstract: A double-thread hand sewing machine transmission mechanism including a steering gear driven by a motor, a driven wheel, a transmission gear driven by the steering gear to turn the driven wheel, an upper-thread arm reciprocated by the driven wheel to move a needle up and down in making stitches, the improvement includes an under-thread bobbin, an under-thread bar having a locating ring at one end mounted around an eccentric locating ring on the transmission gear at one side and a rack at an opposite end meshed with a toothed portion on the under-thread bobbin and driven to turn the under-thread bobbin back and forth.

Abstract: In a surgical stitching apparatus for endoscopically performing sutures of tissue or vessels having a drive mechanism including concentric tubes with an operating handle structure at one end and a stitching head mounted at the distal end thereof, the stitching head includes a stationary and a movable mouthpiece each with clamping structures for engaging the tips of a needle each comprising movable and stationary halves with the movable half on the stationary mouthpiece being operatively connected to one of the concentric tubes and the movable mouthpiece being connected to another of the concentric tubes which is hand-operable by a movable handle on the operating handle structure, and the one concentric tube is operable by a pedal switch-controlled mechanism mounted on the operating handle structure for foot operation of the clamping structure on the stationary mouthpiece.

Abstract: A needle driving device (1) includes a pivotally mounted needle holder (3) for a curved suturing needle (12). Following the initial pivot the needle driving member (16) is actuated for pushing the needle out of the holder. The pointed end of the needle (14) is thereby pushed to the surface of the sutured tissue. The needle is drawn outside the aperture by a pair of tongs and a surgeon may bind an initial knot on the thread. Slots (51) arranged at the ends of two V-shaped prongs enable the knot to come into contact with the tissue. The knot is then completed and brought into contact with the tissue. As the thread guides are separated an outward pull is effected which makes it possible to tie a knot even in very deep surgical apertures.

Abstract: A trocar wound closure device includes an elongated body having a distal end for insertion through a trocar puncture wound, a proximal end, and a first and second retractable needle holders disposed at the distal end of the body. The needle holders are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. An actuator disposed at the proximal end of the body moves the needle holders from the retracted position to the extended position, so that the needle holders can be retracted to allow the device to be inserted through a trocar wound preferably through a cannula inserted into the wound, and extended to position the needles adjacent the wound, to allow the wound to be sutured.

Abstract: A method and device for approximating tissue, particularly the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture is then tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.

Abstract: A laparoscopic suturing device includes a suturing needle and a driver for manipulating the needle. The suturing needle features a helically-wound front-end portion with a needle point at its proximal end for penetrating tissue and a rear-end portion connected to the driver. The slender design of the suturing device is ideally suited for minimally-invasive surgery.

Abstract: For sewing up a surgical opening (32), an instrument (10) is provided to be introduced thereinto. Needle holders (19), having needles (25) attached thereon, are laterally extended out of the instrument (10). By raising the instrument (10), the needles (25) are pierced through the cutaneous tissue (33) from the inside to the outside while the thread (30) passing through the needles (25) forms a loop within the patient's body. A needle catcher (26) is used for withdrawing the needles (25) out of the patient's body, the needles (25) being released from the needle holders (19). Finally, the thread loop can be tied into a knot above the surgical opening (32) outside the patient's body.

Abstract: A mechanical apparatus for suturing biological tissue, or ligating a biological tube or duct, in remote or otherwise inaccessible areas such as internal body cavities. The suturing apparatus includes an elongated housing, a head assembly pivotally mounted to the elongated housing capable of independent articulation, a continuous loop belt mounted within the elongated housing and head assembly for circulation therein, an arcuate needle mounted in the head for 360.degree. rotation having a plurality of projecting means for engaging the continuous loop belt, means for articulating the head assembly from a position outside a patient's body, and means for circulating the continuous loop drive belt. A kit for suturing biological tissue, or ligating a biological tube or duct, comprising a cannula and a mechanical apparatus for suturing or ligating as described above, configured and dimensioned to be slidingly received in the cannula.

Abstract: A tool structure employs a rectilinear body having a front wall, the front wall including a lowermost end orthogonally oriented relative to the front wall and extending beyond a bottom wall in an orthogonal relationship, wherein the lowermost end of the front wall includes a plurality of rods arranged in a parallel relationship relative to one another, and the first rod having a first hook, the second rod of the plurality of rods having a cutting edge therewithin, whereupon the hook permits lifting and the cutting edge effects severing of sutures.

Abstract: A novel suturing assembly defined by a new and improved suturing needle, having a bore therethrough for forming an arc of thread to be grasped. The assembly would comprise a first and second barrel portion, the portions working to allow a rod member to secure the arc of thread formed, and hold it in place, while the needle forms a second suture, and secures the loop as part of the suture.

Abstract: An embroidering tool comprising a barrel serving as an outer shell with a slot having notches for receiving a pin located on the outer surface of a shaft inserted into the bore. An interchangeable tip having a cannular needle pressed therein is inserted into an axial bore within the shaft and locked therein. The shaft is then assembled with a spring and inserted into the bore of the barrel with the pin moved along the slot until it is engaged within the proper slot setting. The invention provides an embroidery tool in which the mechanism for adjusting the exposed length of the needle is extremely durable, simple, easy to manipulate, and rapid and consistently precise.

Abstract: A method of embroidery on a fabric and an embroidery tool enable the production in a simple manner of decorative effect on knitted or other garments. The tool has a tubular needle portion with a handle at one end and a closed curved point at the other. The handle has an entry aperture for continuous work material such as yarn, which passes from the entry aperture through a smooth duct in the tool to an exit aperture formed on the convex surfaces of the curved end adjacent the point. The method of embroidery using the tool comprises the initial steps of passing the point, carrying a loop of yarn, through the fabric from the front to the rear and back again at a different location, the handle remaining at the front, and the repeated steps of retaining the loop of yarn at the front while withdrawing the point from the fabric, and then passing the point, carrying a fresh loop of yarn, through the previous loop, and then through the fabric as before.

Abstract: A suturing apparatus is disclosed including a handle unit housing an electric motor having an output drive shaft and a head assembly removably connected to the handle unit and drive shaft and comprising a plurality of drive rollers constructed and arranged for supporting and driving a curved needle around a circular path of travel.

Abstract: A sewing machine for forming stitches in a substrate, for example, in forming stitches in tissue during surgery, comprises a needle for passing thread into the substrate from one side thereof at a first location and for withdrawing the thread from the substrate at a second location spaced from the first location. The needle is removably operable solely from the said one side of the substrate. A stapling machine is also disclosed operating on similar principles for similar purposes.

Abstract: The surgical suturing machine comprises a housing (10) on whose head piece (14) a needle holder (16) holding a needle (30), a thread catcher (18), a rotatable cylindrical body (20), a fixed foot with a plate (70) and a stretcher (22) are releasably mounted. The projecting tissue edges to be sutured together are clamped between plates (70) and cylindrical body (20). When the surgical suturing machine advances, the shaped circumferential surface (78) of cylindrical body (20) rolls along the outside of one edge of the tissue. The circumferential surface (78) of the rotating cylindrical body "grips" the outer surface of one tissue edge and guides the two tissue edges into a clamping zone which is located in the vicinity of the shortest distance between plate (70) and circumference (78) of the cylindrical body (20). The projecting tissue edges are pierced by needle (30) in the clamping zone and sutured together with the aid of thread catcher (18) and needle (30 ).

Abstract: A hook drive for chain stitch sewing machines, in particular for those suited to be hand-held, which comprises an upper hook and a lower hook of curvilinear configuration having a hook holding shank supported obliquely in a box-like case. Each hook is connected to a drive including a gear whereto one end of a swinging yoke is articulated eccentrically which has the opposite end pivoted centrally to a block made rigid with a respective one of said shanks. The two driving gears, one of which is connected to a drive shaft, are in meshing engagement with each other and with a third gear which may drive a movable cutter blade.

Abstract: In an actuating mechanism for the hook of portable sewing machines, a hook actuating profiled cam is provided which has a pin for simultaneously actuating the hook and the material transport feed dog through an interposed linkage having an adjustable element. By providing the hook formed with an eye, a double chain stitch seam can be effected. By further providing the cam with a depression for accommodating a foot of the hook therein during an oscillation of the foot, a greatly reduced overall size becomes achievable. Thanks to the adjustable element it also becomes possible to change the stitch length.

Abstract: A mechanical needle carrier is provided which can grasp and carry a surgical needle through a cannula, position the needle and set a stitch at the remote location and then release the needle and be withdrawn from the cannula.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying two-piece fasteners to join tissue. The instrument includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw mounted on a support body. The movable jaw holds the staple portion of the fastener and the stationary jaws include friction means for holding the receiver portion of the fasteners.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying tissue fasteners. The instrument includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw mounted on a support body. The jaws are placed on the opposite sides of the tissue to be joined. The instrument includes an indicator to indicate minute changes in positioning of the jaws.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying fasteners to tissue to be joined. The instrument includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw mounted on a support body. The instrument has force supporting means cooperating with the movable jaw to reinforce the jaw as the fasteners are being placed in the tissue.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a surgical needle which has been set in tissue is provided which comprises a tube with a telescoping rod therein, the tube and rod having a diametrical slot in one end forming a bifurcated slot. The tube and rod are relatively rotatable resulting in the slot portions being movable in and out of alignment. When the slot portions are in alignment the shank of the needle can be received in the slots, and as they are moved out of alignment, the needle is grasped by the side walls of the slots. Diametrical holes in the tube and rod are also provided forming a bifurcated passage for gripping the tip of the needle in a similar manner.

Abstract: A suturing instrument for surgical operations is operated by an operator with his one hand. A suturing operation is carried out on a human part to be sutured up by crossing a needle thread and a shuttle thread in a lock stitching formation, the instrument being composed of independent members which are, for use, connected to each other easily, exactly and speedily. The main body of the instrument carrying a needle and a shuttle has an externally operated actuating member which actuates a signal generator incorporated in a connecting arrangement for connecting the main body with the drive part of the instrument, whereby when the drive part is connected to the main body by the connecting arrangement an operator may, by moving the actuating member, activate the drive through the signal generator and set all the parts of the instrument into operating positions.

Abstract: A hand operated sewing machine with opposing loop seizing points for forming chain stitches. A work feeding plate reciprocates with a plate member about a pivot. A flexible upstanding portion at one end of an arm is biassed by the moving plate member causing the other arm end to bias a cam affixed to the loop seizing points. This bias determines the cam path taken by a drive pin that provides motion to the loop seizing points.

Abstract: A hand operable chain stitch sewing machine including a pivoted cam and looper assembly with a limited axial position has the looper mounted on the cam so as to deflect axially away from the cam when engaged by the needle of the machine and leave the cam in its limited position wherein cam tracks and a gate therefor are disposed for cooperation with an actuator for the pivoted assembly and a gate spring respectively.

Abstract: A hand operable chain stitch sewing machine is provided with a top work feeding arrangement wherein a feed dog is moved away from a stop to engage and move a work piece under a sewing needle. The stop is adjustable and may be positioned with an operator's control to predetermine stitch length.

Abstract: A chain stitch sewing machine including a looper and cam assembly with cam tracks engageable by an actuator, a gate pivotally mounted on the assembly and a spring with one free end to engage and move the gate into positions controlling actuator movement between the tracks is provided with camming surfaces on a fixed member for lifting the free end of the spring to the top of the gate for passage from one side to the other.

Abstract: A lock stitch type hand sewing machine comprises a bed and a needle arm pivoted mutually at one end on the bed. The bed is provided with a shuttle and the needle arm is provided with a needle on its free end. The operation of this sewing machine is effected by gripping the bed and the needle arm with one hand to rock them, and according to this operation, the needle and the shuttle are relatively moved to form lock stitch.

Abstract: A hand operable chain stitch sewing machine is provided with a top work feeding arrangement wherein a feed dog is mounted for pivotal movement about mutually perpendicular axes. The feed dog is moved about one such axis to engage a workpiece, and about the other axis to displace a work piece relative to a sewing needle.

Abstract: An improved self-oiling system for the drive shaft and feed dog assembly of a portable, bag-closing sewing machine utilizes a drive shaft having an internal axial oil channel, an upper radial oil bore which extends from the oil channel to the outer periphery of the shaft to confront the lower main drive shaft bearing, and a lower radial oil passage which extends between the oil channel and the outer periphery of a feed dog eccentric cam which is integral with the lower end of the drive shaft. Oil is supplied to the lower main drive shaft bearing for further downward distribution along the bore, channel and passage to the outer periphery of the feed dog cam which is rotatably received in the feed dog block. An oil passage within the feed dog block delivers oil from the feed dog cam radial oil passage to a slide bearing within the block to lubricate the interface between a guide post and the slide bearing. Annular recesses are provided on the shaft and post to further enhance transfer of oil within the machine.

Abstract: A work clamp shifting mechanism for a four hole button sewing machine in which operator influenced cam shifts the work holding jaws between two detent retained positions and also releases the thread tension during each shift between detent positions to defer the work from being disoriented in the work holding jaws.

Abstract: A suturing instrument is used to form stitchings including stitching formation made by causing a shuttle thread to move in reciprocation on cut edges of a human part, between knottings and next knottings in a lock stitching, via an outer side of a needle thread at a needle-out-hole from a needle-in-hole of a needle, thereby to make conglutination of the cut part stable and sound. In a method of suturing cut edges of human parts in a surgical operation the shuttle thread crossed with the needle thread traverses over the cut edges from the needle-out-hole to the needle-in-hole of the next stitch and passes under the outside of the needle thread carried by the needle. The shuttle thread then again traverses over the cut edges to the needle-out-hole of the next stitch.

Abstract: A chain stitch sewing machine including a double pointed looper is provided with feeding mechanism in which looper motion is used in conjunction with needle motion to control the movement of work under the needle of the machine.

Abstract: A combined pump and oil reservoir and oil delivery apparatus directs oil to the internal chambers of a portable sewing machine where oil is distributed by pump pressure, gravity flow, capillary action, wicking, misting and movement of machine components. Oil is pumped into a manifold leading to upper and lower main drive shaft bearings and to the needle driving assembly for subsequent dispersion during rotation and reciprocation of machine parts to fling such oil outwardly within the internal chambers to oil machinery both directly and by misting.

Abstract: A pivotally movable cam having a double pointed looper thereon for seizing thread loops on one side of a sewing needle is formed with raised surfaces to engage the thread on the opposite side of the needle and thereby position the thread loops for looper point seizure.

Abstract: A suturing instrument for use in surgical operation to suture up a wound or the cut out flesh with lock stitches substantially comprises a support, a needle bar secured to the support, a curved needle removably attached to one end of the needle bar and supplied with a needle thread, a holder bar mounted on the support and axially movable relative to the support to and away from a thread loop formed at the curved needle during the suturing operation, a shuttle holder mounted on one end of the holder bar, a shuttle removably mounted in a space defined by the shuttle holder and supplied with a shuttle thread, pawl means for detaining the shuttle in the space of the shuttle holder, said shuttle being of a streamlined structure pointed at the forward end thereof and having a rear end, said shuttle being positioned in the space of the shuttle holder in a manner that the pointed forward end thereof is directed to the support and the rear end thereof is directed to the curved needle, so that the shuttle may traverse

Abstract: A suturing machine for suturing incised parts of a patient by producing continuous stitches by means of a curved needle and a shuttle includes a pair of grips terminated with jaws adapted to hold the curved needle which forms a thread loop on the parts to be sutured. A shuttle holder is slidably positioned on one of the grips to move the shuttle with a shuttle thread towards the curved needle to produce a lock stitch with the thread loop. The shuttle holder functions when the needle is standstill.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a double pointed looper wherein the vertical reciprocating motion of a drive pin is converted into a controlled back and forth pivoting motion of the looper in a single thread chain stitch sewing machine.

Abstract: A suturing instrument for surgical operations comprises a curved needle holding a needle thread and a shuttle positioned on a support and manually displaceable back and forth relative to the needle. The shuttle is formed with an element for holding one knotted end of a shuttle thread which has a required length for carrying out the surgical operation. As the shuttle is moved towards and backwards of the needle the needle thread and the free end portion of the shuttle thread form lock stitches in a wound to be sewn up.

Abstract: A combined pump and oil reservoir and oil delivery apparatus directs oil to the internal chambers of a portable sewing machine where oil is distributed by pump pressure, gravity flow, capillary action, wicking, misting and movement of machine components. Oil is pumped into a manifold leading to upper and lower main drive shaft bearings and to the needle driving assembly for subsequent dispersion during rotation and reciprocation of machine parts to fling such oil outwardly within the internal chambers to oil machinery both directly and by misting.