Suture trimmer

A suture trimmer having a proximal end and a distal end, the suture trimmer comprising:

• a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongate lumen extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft, the shaft including a transverse through-opening disposed proximal the distal end of the shaft, the distal end of the shaft being proximal a distal end of the suture trimmer;
• a fitting disposed within the lumen at the distal end of the shaft, the fitting comprising an opening extending from a distal end of the fitting to a proximal end of the fitting, a proximal end of the opening being open and facing proximally toward the lumen;
• a suture retainer movable within the elongate lumen of the elongate shaft and configured to move into a proximal portion of the opening of the fitting;
• and
• a cutting member slidably received within the lumen of the shaft and configured to move between a proximal end of the through-opening and the distal end of the through-opening and cut a suture disposed within and extending from the through-opening.

A method for trimming suture, the method comprising:

• disposing a suture loop within tissue of a patient, the suture loop including at least one knot and two free ends;
• positioning the two free ends of suture in a suture trimmer, the suture trimmer having proximal end and a distal end and comprising:
• an elongate shaft comprising an elongate lumen extending proximally from a distal end of the shaft, a transverse through-opening disposed proximal the distal end of the shaft the distal end of the elongate shaft being proximal a distal end of the suture trimmer;
• a fitting disposed within the elongate lumen at the distal end of the shaft and extending distally therefrom, the fitting comprising an opening extending from a distal end of the fitting to a proximal end of the fitting, a proximal end of the opening being open and facing proximally toward the elongate lumen;
• a suture retainer movable within the elongate lumen of the elongate shaft and configured to move into a proximal portion of the opening of the fitting;
• and
• a cutting member slidably received within the lumen of the shaft and configured to move between a proximal end of the through-opening and a distal end of the through-opening and cut a suture disposed within and extending from the through-opening;
• extending the two free ends of the suture from the through-opening;
• and
• actuating the cutting member within the suture trimmer, the cutting member configured to sever the suture disposed in the through-opening.