IN-LINE SUTURE PASSER AND METHOD OF PASSING SUTURE
First Claim
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1. A suture passing instrument comprising:
- a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end;
a first jaw member integral to the distal end of the shaft, the first jaw member having a passage for receiving a needle and a distal opening to allow the needle to pass therethrough;
a second jaw member mounted to the distal end of the shaft and pivotally connected to the first jaw member such that the second jaw member is moveable with respect to the first jaw member from an open position to a closed position, the second jaw member comprising a securing mechanism to secure a suture at its most distal end, the securing mechanism being located in a same plane as the opening of the first jaw member when the second jaw member is in the closed position; and
a handle assembly configured to move the needle from a first position to a second position, and to move the second jaw member with respect to the first jaw member.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for passing suture in tissue repair and other surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a handle assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a needle mounted on the handle assembly and through a cannulation of the shaft. A suture is placed in a slot at the tip of the lower jaw. By advancing the needle relative to the body of the instrument, the needle is pushed forward to capture the suture and to pull it through the tissue to be sutured in a direction about parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A suture passing instrument comprising:
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a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end; a first jaw member integral to the distal end of the shaft, the first jaw member having a passage for receiving a needle and a distal opening to allow the needle to pass therethrough; a second jaw member mounted to the distal end of the shaft and pivotally connected to the first jaw member such that the second jaw member is moveable with respect to the first jaw member from an open position to a closed position, the second jaw member comprising a securing mechanism to secure a suture at its most distal end, the securing mechanism being located in a same plane as the opening of the first jaw member when the second jaw member is in the closed position; and a handle assembly configured to move the needle from a first position to a second position, and to move the second jaw member with respect to the first jaw member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of suturing tissue with a suture passing instrument, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a suture strand in a jaw of the suture passing instrument; advancing a needle of the suture passing instrument in a first direction, toward the suture strand; and subsequently, advancing the suture strand and the needle, in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method of passing suture through tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a suture passing instrument, the suture passing instrument comprising;
a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end;
a first jaw integral to the distal end of the shaft and comprising a channel for receiving a needle and a distal opening to allow the needle to pass therethrough;
a second jaw mounted to the distal end of the shaft and pivotally connected to the first jaw such that the second jaw is moveable with respect to the first jaw, the second jaw comprising two side slots configured to retain a suture thereon; and
a handle assembly comprising a handle and a trigger mechanism;loading the suture onto the side slots of the second jaw; mounting the needle in the suture passing instrument by sliding the needle through a cannulation in the proximal end of the shaft such that a distal end of the needle is on the distal end of the shaft; actuating the trigger mechanism of the handle assembly to bring the second jaw in line with the first jaw and in line with the longitudinal axis; actuating the handle of the handle assembly to advance the needle toward the slots of the second jaw and in a direction about parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, to engage the suture in a hook of the needle; and releasing the handle of the handle assembly to pull back the needle with the hooked suture in a direction about parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and away from the slots in the second jaw. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification