Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A trocar wound closure device comprising: (a) an elongated body; (b) first and second retractable needle holders disposed at a distal end of the body and movable between a retracted position and an extended position said first and second needle holders configured and dimensioned to deploy first and second needles in a radial plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal plane of said elongated body when said needle holders are in said extended position; and (c) actuator means disposed at a proximal end of the body, for moving the needle holders from the retracted position to the extended position so that the needle holders can be retracted to allow the device to be inserted through a trocar wound, and extended to position the needles adjacent the wound to allow the wound to be closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A trocar wound closure device comprising: (a) an elongated body; (b) first and second retractable needle holders for holding first and second respective needles therein said needle holders disposed at a distal end of said elongated body and movable between a retracted position such that said needles are maintained substantially within an exterior surface of said elongated body and an extended position wherein said needles are deployed substantially outside said exterior surface substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said elongated body; and (c) actuator means disposed at a proximal end of the body, for moving the needle holders from the retracted position to the extended position so that the needle holders can be retracted to allow the device to be inserted through a trocar wound, and extended to position the needles adjacent the wound to allow the wound to be closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the elongated body comprises a tubular body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the elongated body has openings disposed near said distal end and the retractable needle holders are movable from a retracted position within the body to an extended position outside the body and, extending through the openings.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
38 words
A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the retractable needle holders comprise tapered edges which facilitate retraction of the needle holders upon withdrawal of the trocar wound closure device through a cannula.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising means within the elongated body for carrying a suture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as claimed in claim 6 in which the means within the elongated body for carrying a suture comprises an elongated tube and means for drawing a suture into the tube.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
43 words
A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the actuator means comprises a plunger movable from an extended position to a depressed position for moving the retractable needle holders from the retracted position to the extended position, respectively.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
76 words
A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the first and second retractable needle holders comprise first and second needle carriers, slidably mounted in the elongated body, and having needle holding slots oriented generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body, and in which the actuator means comprises means extending through the body for engaging the needle carriers and causing the needle holding slots to move to an extended position.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
26 words
A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the actuator means comprises a generally cylindrical actuator disposed within the elongated body.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
40 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first and second respective needles are oriented in said needle holders such that pointed ends of said needles are directed generally towards said proximal end of said device.