Suture grasping device

Abstract

A device for snaring cord-like objects is provided. The device comprises a hollow shaft having a pointed distal end, a rod having a pair of wires attached to its distal end, the wires being spring biased away from one another, and activation means. The rod and wires are located in the lumen of the shaft in reciprocally movable relationship therewith. The activation means is attached to the proximal ends of the shaft and the rod so as to allow the controlled movement of the rod and wires relative to the shaft. One of the wire-like elements defines a hook-shaped configuration at its distal end. The device allows the wire-like elements to be selectively located within the distal end of the shaft or in a configuration wherein the wire-like elements extend outwardly from the distal end of the shaft in flaring relationship to one another.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for grasping cord-like objects comprising: 
 a hollow, substantially rigid shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being pointed, and a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end;    a solid rod having a proximal end and a distal end, said rod being positioned in said lumen in reciprocally sliding relationship therewith;    first and second wire-like elements each having a distal end and a proximal end, said first and second wire-like elements being attached at their respective proximal ends to said distal end of said rod so as to extend distally therefrom, said first wire-like element defining a hook-shaped configuration adjacent to its distal end, and said distal ends of said first and second wire-like members being spring biased away from one another; and    activation means attached to said proximal end of said rod and to said proximal end of said shaft for moving said rod and said wire-like members between a first position wherein said distal ends of said wire-like members are contained within said shaft, and a second position wherein said distal ends of said wire-like members extend outwardly from said distal end of said shaft in flared relationship to one another.    
     
     
         2 . A device according to    claim 1    wherein said distal end of said shaft is curved.  
     
     
         3 . A device according to    claim 1    wherein said activation means includes spring biasing means for urging said rod and said wire-like members toward their said first position.  
     
     
         4 . A method for grasping a cord-like object comprising: 
 (1) providing a device comprising: 
 a hollow, substantially rigid shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being pointed, and a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end;  
 a solid rod having a proximal end and a distal end, said rod being positioned in said lumen in reciprocally sliding relationship therewith;  
 first and second wire-like elements each having a distal end and a proximal end, said first and second wire-like elements being attached at their respective proximal ends to said distal end of said rod so as to extend distally therefrom, said first wire-like element defining a hook-shaped configuration adjacent to its distal end, and said distal ends of said first and second wire-like members being spring biased away from one another; and  
 activation means attached to said proximal end of said rod and to said proximal end of said shaft for moving said rod and said wire-like members between a first position wherein said distal ends of said wire-like members are contained within said shaft, and a second position wherein said distal ends of said wire-like members extend outwardly from said distal end of said shaft in flared relationship to one another;  
   (2) positioning said rod and said wire-like members in said first position;    (3) maneuvering said distal end of said shaft so that it is adjacent to the cord-like object which is to be grasped;    (4) positioning said rod and said wire-like members in said second position, and maneuvering said distal end of said shaft as needed so as to position said flared distal ends of said wire-like members on opposite sides of said cord-like object; and    (5) positioning said rod and said wire-like members in said second position so as to cause said first wire-like member to grapple said cord-like object and attach it to said distal end of said shaft.