The needle herein pictured was devised to facilitate and expedite the placing of interrupted sutures. Furthermore, as it uses a single strand of sutural material this needle causes less traumatism than does a conventional type of needle. The instrument consists of a hollow needle and handle, which has a wheel for propelling and a knife for cutting the sutural material. Any sized catgut, dermal or silkworm-gut can be used.
Its mode of operation is very simple. When the end of sutural material has been placed under the wheel in the handle and after the needle has been passed through the tissue to be sutured, the operator, by turning the wheel, forces the sutural material out beyond the end of the needle. Then by grasping and holding the end of the sutural material and by withdrawing the needle, the operator, by pressing the knife, can sever the sutural material at a desired