INSTRUMENTS FOR DELIVERING TRANSFASCIAL SUTURES, TRANSFASCIAL SUTURE ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS OF TRANSFASCIAL SUTURING

摘要

An instrument for delivering a transfascial suture is disclsosed. It comprises an actuation handle to actuate the instrument and an elongated shaft that extends from the handle and includes a distal end. A first needle and a second needle are operatively coupled to the actuation handle and are moveable to an extended position beyond the distal end of the shaft in response to actuation of the instrument, and to a retracted position within the shaft. Each needle is solid and has a sharp end adapted to pierce a soft tissue repair prosthetic and abdominal wall tissue. A suture is carried by the instrument and is defined by a first segment and a second segment with a force distributing member between the first and second segments. The suture is arranged in the instrument so that the first and second suture segments are coupled to an external portion of the first and second needles and carried by the needles as the needles move to the extended position, the suture segments being releasable from the needles.