1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to suturing devices and, more particularly, to an improved suturing gun which can be operated with one hand so as to facilitate the suturing operation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the surgery field, mechanical suturing devices for suturing the skin are already known, and are generally produced in the shape of a gun. In use, a suturing gun of this kind is grasped by the surgeon with one hand, while he operates a forceps with the other hand in order to clamp the margins of the wounded skin together and maintain them in this clamped position so that the stitches delivered by the suturing gun can grip both the wound margins, such that the wound is properly closed. This procedure is very toilsome for the surgeon and often, to facilitate this operation, the mechanical suturing device is grasped by the right hand of the surgeon and the clamping of the skin margins is carried out by an assistant who operates a pair of toothed forceps to hold the wound margins clamped until the stitches have been applied. The latter solution facilitates the surgeon's task but requires the presence of two operators and therefore increases overall cost of the operation.
It is also known that during the suture operation the surgeon needs to have gauze tampons at his immediate disposal to plug the wound, as well as disinfectant liquids and suture adhesives in order to maintain the wound disinfected during the suture operation and sutured after the suture operation. The application of these products requires again the presence of a second operator during the suturing operation made by the surgeon, which operator must give the surgeon gauze tampons, disinfecting liquid and/or adhesive on request.