METHODS FOR CONTINUOUS SUTURE PASSING
First Claim
1. A method of continuously passing a suture coupled to a suture shuttle back and forth through tissue using a continuous suture passer, the method comprising:
- extending a tissue penetrator through the tissue from a first jaw of the suture passer to engage a suture shuttle held by a second jaw of the suture passer;
withdrawing the tissue penetrator back to the first jaw to pull the suture shuttle through the tissue from the second jaw to the first jaw; and
extending the tissue penetrator with the engaged suture shuttle through the tissue from the first jaw back to the second jaw and releasing the suture shuttle so that the suture shuttle is again held by the second jaw.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Suture passers for suturing tissue in a continuous manner by passing a suture attached to a suture shuttle through. A suture passer may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tissue penetrator that is retractable and extendable from the first jaw. The tissue penetrator may have a suture shuttle engagement region, and the second jaw may include a shuttle dock. The suture shuttle may be transferred between the first and second jaws as the tissue penetrator is extended from the first jaw and engages the second jaw. In some variations of the tissue passer, one or both jaws are tissue penetrating. In some variations, the jaws open in parallel, allowing large tissue regions to be positioned between the jaws. Methods of using these devices are also described, as are systems and kits including these devices.
164 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A method of continuously passing a suture coupled to a suture shuttle back and forth through tissue using a continuous suture passer, the method comprising:
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extending a tissue penetrator through the tissue from a first jaw of the suture passer to engage a suture shuttle held by a second jaw of the suture passer; withdrawing the tissue penetrator back to the first jaw to pull the suture shuttle through the tissue from the second jaw to the first jaw; and extending the tissue penetrator with the engaged suture shuttle through the tissue from the first jaw back to the second jaw and releasing the suture shuttle so that the suture shuttle is again held by the second jaw. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of continuously passing a suture coupled to a suture shuttle back and forth through tissue using a continuous suture passer, the method comprising:
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extending a tissue penetrator through the tissue from a first jaw of the suture passer to engage a suture shuttle held by a second jaw of the suture passer; withdrawing the tissue penetrator back to the first jaw to pull the suture shuttle through the tissue from the second jaw to the first jaw; repositioning the suture passer without removing the tissue from between the first and second jaws; and extending the tissue penetrator with the engaged suture shuttle through the tissue from the first jaw to the second jaw and releasing the suture shuttle so that the suture shuttle is again held by the second jaw. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of continuously passing a suture coupled to a suture shuttle back and forth through tissue using a continuous suture passer, the method comprising:
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forming a first channel through the tissue with a tissue penetrator having a distal tissue-penetrating tip; attaching a suture shuttle proximal to distal tip of the tissue penetrator and pulling the suture shuttle through the first channel; forming a second channel through the tissue with the tissue penetrator while the suture shuttle is attached to the tissue penetrator; and releasing the suture shuttle from the tissue penetrator. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of continuously passing a suture coupled to a suture shuttle back and forth through tissue using a continuous suture passer, the method comprising:
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extending a curved tissue penetrator having a distal tissue-penetrating tip to form a first channel through the tissue; attaching a suture shuttle proximal to the distal tip of the tissue penetrator; withdrawing the tissue penetrator through the first channel to pull the suture shuttle through the first channel; repositioning the tissue relative to the suture passer; extending the curved tissue penetrator with the suture shuttle attached to form a second channel through the tissue; and releasing the suture shuttle from the tissue penetrator. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification