Abstract: A surgical instrument to aid in suturing a prosthetic valve into a heart annulus, comprises: a manually grippable handle, a holder carried at one end of the handle for releasably holding a prosthetic valve to be pre-loaded thereon, a first ring fixed to the handle and securing thereto one end of a plurality of sutures to be pre-loaded onto the handle with each suture carrying a needle at its opposite end passing through the prosthetic valve when pre-loaded on the handle; and a second ring fixed to the handle for releasably retaining the plurality of sutures each pre-loaded in folded condition on the handle and extending longitudinally thereof. The two rings are located on the handle such that each suture has a length between the prosthetic valve and the needle-carrying end of the suture which is at least twice the length of the suture between the secured one end and the prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A power-driven gripping tool particularly useful as a suturing device comprises a pair of needle holders each movable to an extended or retracted position and each including a pair of gripper members movable to a gripping position or to a releasing position. The handle further includes a power drive for driving the pair of needle holders and the pair of gripper members of each needle holder; and control means operable by the surgeon for selectively controlling the power drive.