Suturing device with replaceable distal end

A suturing device comprising:

• a cannula;
• a distal end assembly removably connected to the cannula, wherein the distal end assembly includes a needle compartment defining a needle passage terminating in a distal opening;
• a needle pusher provided in the cannula and extending into the distal end assembly when the distal end assembly is connected with the cannula;
• a primer movable between an extended position and a depressed position;
• and
• a spring positioned between the primer and the needle pusher, wherein movement of the primer from the extended position toward the depressed position compresses the spring to exert a biasing force on the needle pusher in an advance direction when the primer is in the depressed position,
• wherein the primer is operatively connected with the needle pusher such that movement of the primer from the depressed position toward the extended position moves the needle pusher in a retract direction, which is opposite the advance direction,
• wherein the distal end assembly includes an insert configured for being inserted into the cannula such that the needle pusher extends into the distal end assembly from the cannula when the distal end assembly is connected with the cannula, and
• wherein one of the cannula and the insert defines a slot, and the other of the cannula and the insert includes a protrusion receivable in the slot for locking the cannula with the insert.

A suturing device comprising:

• a cannula;
• a distal end assembly removably connected to the cannula, wherein the distal end assembly includes a needle compartment defining a needle passage terminating in a distal opening;
• a needle pusher provided in the cannula and extending into the distal end assembly when the distal end assembly is connected with the cannula;
• a primer movable between an extended position and a depressed position;
• and a spring positioned between the primer and the needle pusher, wherein movement of the primer from the extended position toward the depressed position compresses the spring to exert a biasing force on the needle pusher in an advance direction when the primer is in the depressed position,
• wherein the primer is operatively connected with the needle pusher such that movement of the primer from the depressed position toward the extended position moves the needle pusher in a retract direction, which is opposite the advance direction,
• wherein the distal end assembly includes an insert configured for being inserted into the cannula such that the needle pusher extends into the distal end assembly from the cannula when the distal end assembly is connected with the cannula, and
• wherein the distal end assembly includes a tube connected with the insert, the tube including a proximal section disposed in and at least partially surrounded by the insert and a distal section that forms the needle compartment defining the needle passage terminating in the distal opening, wherein the distal section extends from the proximal section and the insert.

A distal end assembly for connecting with a cannula of an associated suturing device, the distal end assembly comprising:

• an insert connectable with the cannula of the associated suturing device;
• a tube connected with the insert, the tube including a proximal section disposed in and at least partially surrounded by the insert and a distal section that forms a needle compartment defining a needle passage terminating in a distal opening, wherein the distal section extends from the proximal section and the insert;
• a needle with a first end, which is pointed, and a second end opposite the first end, the needle being disposed in the needle passage;
• and
• a suture connected with the second end of the needle,
• wherein the insert comprises:
• a cylindrical outer surface to allow for rotation of the insert within the cannula;
• and
• at least one of a protrusion and a slot;
• for the insert comprising the protrusion, the protrusion extends from the cylindrical outer surface and is configured to cooperate with the slot in the cannula when the insert is inserted into the cannula and rotated with respect to the cannula, and
• for the insert comprising the slot, the slot includes a first arm extending in a direction in which the insert is inserted in the cannula and a second arm extending from the first arm in a direction perpendicular to the first arm.

A distal end assembly for connecting with a cannula of an associated suturing device, the distal end assembly comprising:

• an insert connectable with the cannula of the associated suturing device;
• a tube connected with the insert, the tube including a proximal section disposed in and at least partially surrounded by the insert and a distal section that forms a needle compartment defining a needle passage terminating in a distal opening, wherein the distal section extends from the proximal section and the insert;
• a needle with a first end, which is pointed, and a second end opposite the first end, the needle being disposed in the needle passage;
• and
• a suture connected with the second end of the needle,
• wherein the proximal section of the tube includes a proximal chamfered surface inclined from an internal surface of the insert toward an interior of the tube, wherein the proximal chamfered surface guides a needle pusher in the associated suturing device into the tube when the distal end assembly is being connected with the cannula.