Suture passing instrument and method of passing suture

• US 7,972,344 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2008
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Inventors: Weber, Robert M., Murray, R. Pepper
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo; Julian W
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANG, PHONG SON H
• Application Number:
  US12/030,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20080208221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/144, 606/148, 606/207
• US Class Current: 606/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0625 the needle being specially adapted to interact with the manipulator, e.g. being ridged to snap fit in a hole of the manipulator A61B17/06109 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00371 Multiple actuation, e.g. pushing of two buttons, or two working tips becoming operational
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06095 pliable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2918 flexible handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means

Abstract

An apparatus and method for passing suture(s) in tissue repair and/or other mini-open procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a hand assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a needle mounted on the hand assembly and through a cannulation of the shaft. The pair of jaws includes a lower jaw and an upper jaw, the upper jaw being curve-shaped to enable grasping of thick tissue. The hand assembly has a finger lever with a ratchet and a releaser with a hook, the hand assembly being designed to move the needle from a first position to a second position.

Claims

1. A method of passing suture through tissue, comprising:

providing a suture passing instrument, the suture passing instrument comprising;

an shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end having a cannulation to receive a needle;

a bottom jaw mounted to the distal end of the shaft, the bottom jaw having a groove to secure a suture, a channel for receiving the needle, and an opening in its distal end to allow the needle to pass therethrough;

a top jaw mounted to the distal end of the shaft and pivotally connected to the bottom jaw such that the top jaw is moveable with respect to the bottom jaw member, and the top jaw being humpback-shaped with a curvature so that the top jaw is parallel to the bottom jaw when grasping tissue;

a hand assembly comprising a handle and a ratchet-like mechanism, the ratchet-like mechanism including a finger lever with a ratchet and a releaser with a hook;

mounting a needle in the suture passing instrument by sliding the needle through a cannulation in a proximal end of the shaft such that a distal end of the needle is on the distal end of the shaft;

loading a suture into the bottom jaw;

closing the top and bottom jaws and advancing the suture passing instrument into a subacromial space;

opening the top jaw by moving the finger lever subsequent to disengaging the ratchet and the hook, and grasping a desired bit of tissue using the top and bottom jaws;

closing the top and bottom jaws by using the finger lever;

advancing the needle and suture through the tissue; and

retracting the needle and retrieving the suture using a retriever or grasper;

wherein the step of advancing the needle and suture through the tissue further comprises;

advancing the needle by pushing proximal and distal ends of the handle toward each other until the needle exits the opening on the bottom jaw and advances toward the top jaw;

piercing the suture with a tip of the needle and firmly holding the suture in the needle; and

advancing the needle and the suture through the tissue such that the needle and the suture pass through a channel at a distal end of the top jaw.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the needle is a nitinol needle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the top jaw further comprises a channel at its distal end to allow the needle and the suture to pass therethrough.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the suture is a braided suture comprising a plurality of high strength fibers.