Tool for positioning implantable medical prosthetic device _and method of using same

Claim 1

A tool for the body implantation of medical prosthetic devices comprising: an elongated barrel capable of being inserted into an elongated bodily cavity and having a handle end and an opposite, forward end rounded for inserting into a bodily cavity; a central bore extending over the entire length of said barrel along the longitudinal axis thereof, said bore being of a diameter slightly greater than the maximum outer dimension of a suturing needle to be slidably inserted within said bore from said forward end of said barrel; an obturator slidably mounted inside of said bore in a close fit therewith for smooth back and forth sliding movement longitudinally of said bore between a retracted position wherein said obturator is moved towards said handle end of said barrel to permit a suturing needle to be inserted within said bore from said forward end of said barrel and an extended position wherein said obturator is moved towards said forward, rounded end of said barrel to project the needle with suture attached out of said bore from said forward end of said barrel; and an elongated slot extending along said barrel generally parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof from said forward end rearwardly towards said handle end, said slot further extending transversely through said barrel and communicating with said bore, whereby suture materials attached to a needle may be placed in said slot and passed into said bore and thence pulled towards said handle end of said barrel to draw the needle into said bore from said forward end of said barrel.