Suture manipulating and cutting implement

An implement for manipulating a knotted suture during a surgical procedure comprising:

• an elongate shaft having a proximal end engageable by the user for manipulating the instrument, and a distal end engageable with the knottable suture to be manipulated;
• said distal end of the elongated shaft having an end face formed with a countersunk opening for receiving the knot of the suture;
• wherein said distal end of the elongated shaft is formed with an open slot starting from the countersunk opening, such as to enable the knotted suture to be introduced into the open slot and the countersunk opening by effecting a sidewise movement of the knotted suture with respect to the elongated shaft, or vice versa;
• wherein the open slot is formed with a first section leading from said countersunk opening towards said proximal end of the elongate shaft, and a second section leading from a juncture with said first section back towards said distal end of the elongated shaft terminating short of the distal end and forming a V-shape;
• wherein said first slot section is formed in a plane at an angle of 10-30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft;
• wherein said second slot section is formed in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft;
• and a tubular cutter member enclosing said elongated shaft and effective to cut said suture in said open slot upon movement of the elongated shaft with respect to said tubular cutter member, or vice versa.