×

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
First Claim
Patent Images

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.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×