Suture material for pneumatic suture instrument

Abstract

The surgical suturing instrument incorporates a pressurized fluid suture feed system for passing a suture through the instrument and the tissues to be joined thereby. A fluid jet in communication with a suture feed conduit selectively entrains a suture in a stream of pressurized fluid, which carries the suture through the instrument's hollow tissue penetrating needle. The tissue penetrating needle may be shaped to direct the suture's free end to a point external the body cavity. Alternatively, a suture return conduit may be provided to engage the hollow tissue penetrating needle to receive and carry the suture's leading end to a point external the body cavity. External or internal pressurized fluid sources are utilized. A surface irregularity proximal the suture's leading end enhances the entrainment of the suture with the fluid stream. Individual, cartridge and spool fed sutures may all be utilized.

1 . (canceled)  
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
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       8 . In a suture, comprising an elongate strand of surgically suitable material for surgically joining body tissues, said suture having a leading end, a trailing end, and a suture surface, the improvement comprising a surface irregularity defined on said suture surface proximal said leading end, said surface irregularity defining a friction enhancing interface between said suture surface and a fluid stream passing over said suture surface, whereby said suture is entrained in said fluid stream.  
   
   
       9 . The suture of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of surface irregularities spaced apart at a predetermined distance corresponding to a desired working length of said suture.  
   
   
       10 . The suture of  claim 9 , wherein said suture further comprises a suture separator point proximal a subsequent surface irregularity, said separator point defined by a substantial constriction in the transverse area of said suture.  
   
   
       11 . The suture of  claim 8 , wherein said surface irregularity is defined by a bead of said surgically suitable material.  
   
   
       12 . The suture of  claim 8 , wherein said surface irregularity is defined by a tuft of said surgically suitable material.  
   
   
       13 . The suture of  claim 8 , wherein said surface irregularity is defined by a constriction of said surgically suitable material.  
   
   
       14 . A cartridge for receiving a suture comprising an elongate strand of surgically suitable material for joining body tissues, said cartridge comprising; a suture reservoir, a protective cap, and a coupler; said suture reservoir comprising an elongate hollow member having an open end and a closed end; said protective cap comprising an elongate hollow member having at least one open end; and said coupler comprising a releasably joining interface between said open end of said suture reservoir and an open end of said protective cap.  
   
   
       15 . The cartridge of  claim 14 , where in said protective cap is detachable from said coupler.  
   
   
       16 . The cartridge of  claim 14 , wherein said open end of said protective cap is slidably received through said open end of said suture reservoir.  
   
   
       17 . The cartridge of  claim 14 , wherein said coupler is integrally formed with said suture reservoir.  
   
   
       18 . The cartridge of  claim 14 , wherein a said suture reservoir releasably receives a length of said suture.  
   
   
       19 . The cartridge of  claim 17 , wherein said suture reservoir releasably receives a wound length of said suture.  
   
   
       20 . The cartridge of  claim 17 , wherein said suture reservoir releasably receives a folded length of said suture.  
   
   
       21 . The cartridge of  claim 17 , wherein a leading end of said suture extends through said open end of said suture reservoir and said leading end is received in said protective cap.  
   
   
       22 . The cartridge of  claim 16 , wherein said protective cap further comprises a pierceable membrane sealed end distal said suture reservoir.  
   
   
       23 . The cartridge of  claim 17 , wherein said coupler is releasably engagable with a suture feed inlet of a surgical instrument for joining body tissues with said suture after.  
   
   
       24 . The cartridge of  claim 22 , wherein said instrument comprises an elongate tubular member, a handle attached at a proximal end of said elongate tubular member and a hollow tissue penetrating needle attached at a distal end of said elongate tubular member, a suture feed conduit extending between said suture feed inlet proximal said handle and an inner bore of said hollow tissue penetrating needle, a pressurized fluid suture feed means for entraining said suture in a pressurized fluid stream and communicating said suture through said instrument, said hollow tissue penetrating needle, and said body tissues to be joined.  
   
   
       25 . (canceled)