Elongate Needle Cartridge

Abstract

A needle cartridge is adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device. The cartridge comprises a body having a length, a width, and a height. The length is at least twice the width, and the width is less than 3.5 times the height. The cartridge comprises an arced needle and a suture, and a needle driver operable to drive the needle in a circular path. The length may be less than 5 times with width, and the width may be greater than the height.

1 . A needle cartridge adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device, the cartridge comprising:
 a body having a length, a width, and a height, the length is at least twice the width, and the width is less than 3.5 times the height;   an arced needle and a suture; and   a needle driver operable to drive the needle in a circular path.   
     
     
         2 . The needle cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the length is less than 5 times with width, and the width is greater than the height. 
     
     
         3 . The needle cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more asymmetrical features operable to prevent improper engagement with the receiver. 
     
     
         4 . The needle cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising a transmission connecting a rotary input to the needle driver. 
     
     
         5 . The needle cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising a step operable to be engaged by a latch tooth on the receiver. 
     
     
         6 . The needle cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises upper and lower faces being generally flat and parallel to one another. 
     
     
         7 . A needle cartridge adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device, the cartridge comprising:
 generally flat upper and lower faces parallel to one another, a proximal end and two distal arms;   a length, a width and a height wherein the length is at least twice the width, and the width is less than 3.5 times the height;   an arced needle and a suture; and   a needle driver operable to drive the needle in a circular path spanning the arms.   
     
     
         8 . The needle cartridge of  claim 7 , wherein the length is less than 5 times with width, and the width is greater than the height. 
     
     
         9 . The needle cartridge of  claim 7 , wherein the upper and lower surfaces are asymmetrical to prevent improper engagement with the receiver. 
     
     
         10 . The needle cartridge of  claim 7 , wherein the distal face is asymmetrical to prevent improper engagement with the receiver. 
     
     
         11 . The needle cartridge of  claim 7 , further comprising a recessed step on the upper face operable to be engaged by a latch tooth on the receiver. 
     
     
         12 . The needle cartridge of  claim 7 , further comprising a rotary input on the lower face and a transmission operably connecting the rotary input to the needle driver. 
     
     
         13 . A needle cartridge adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device, the cartridge comprising:
 upper and lower faces each being generally flat and parallel to one another, the upper and lower faces each being generally rectangular with a U-shaped distal notch, the upper and lower faces each having a length and a width where the length is at least twice the width;   an arced needle and a suture;   a needle driver operable to drive the needle in a circular path parallel with the upper and lower faces and across the U-shaped notch;   a rotary input on the lower face; and   a transmission operably connecting the rotary input to the needle driver.