Multiple-firing suture fixation device and methods for using and manufacturing same

A surgical suture-snaring device, comprising:

• a hollow shaft having:
• an exterior surface;
• an interior;
• a central axis;
• a distal end defining a distal opening;
• and
• a side portion defining a lateral opening through the exterior surface proximal to the distal end and communicating between the interior and an environment outside the exterior surface;
• a snare movement assembly:
• having a shuttle defining a lumen surrounding the shaft and configured to longitudinally translate on the shaft;
• having a suture snare;
• having a hollow snare-extension tube through which the snare is threaded, the snare-extension tube configured to guide the snare during movement of the snare;
• configured to extend and retract the snare through the snare-extension tube;
• configured to pivot the snare-extension tube towards the central axis of the shaft, the snare being shaped:
• to laterally pass into the interior of the shaft through the lateral opening;
• to pass through the interior at the distal end and out the distal opening;
• and
• to laterally pass out from the interior of the shaft through the lateral opening;
• and
• configured to move the snare:
• distally from proximal of the lateral opening within the snare-extension tube through the lateral opening, out from the snare-extension tube, and out from the distal opening to an extended position in which the snare can temporarily secure at least one surgical suture therein;
• and
• proximally through the distal opening and laterally out of the lateral opening from the interior to pull a portion of the at least one suture temporarily secured in the snare through the lateral opening and out a side of the shaft to present at least some of the portion of the at least one suture out from the lateral opening for access by a user.