Method and apparatus for treating a hip joint, including the provision and use of a novel suture passer
First Claim
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1. A method for passing suture through tissue, the method comprising:
- releasably supporting a length of suture on a first jaw by binding the suture to the first jaw with a spring, wherein the spring comprises a recess for receiving the suture therein, wherein the recess comprises a proximal rise, a distal rise and a trough formed between the proximal rise and the distal rise for accommodating the suture in the trough between the proximal rise and the distal rise to securely bind the suture to the first jaw while the spring is stationary;
advancing a second jaw toward the first jaw so as to releasably clamp tissue therebetween;
advancing a needle through the tissue so that the needle contacts and displaces the spring to release the suture from binding engagement with the first jaw and a hook on the needle engages the suture releasably supported on the first jaw; and
retracting the needle back through the tissue, with the needle carrying the suture therewith.
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Abstract
A suture passer comprising:
- a shaft having an axis;
- a first jaw mounted to the shaft in alignment with the axis, the first jaw being configured to releasably support a length of suture thereon;
- a second jaw movably mounted to the shaft; and
- a needle movably mounted to the shaft, the needle having a hook and being configured to reciprocate in alignment with the axis so that the hook can selectively pass by the second jaw and engage suture releasably supported on the first jaw;
- wherein the first jaw comprises a spring for selectively binding the suture to the first jaw, and further wherein the spring comprises a recess for receiving the suture therein.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for passing suture through tissue, the method comprising:
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releasably supporting a length of suture on a first jaw by binding the suture to the first jaw with a spring, wherein the spring comprises a recess for receiving the suture therein, wherein the recess comprises a proximal rise, a distal rise and a trough formed between the proximal rise and the distal rise for accommodating the suture in the trough between the proximal rise and the distal rise to securely bind the suture to the first jaw while the spring is stationary; advancing a second jaw toward the first jaw so as to releasably clamp tissue therebetween; advancing a needle through the tissue so that the needle contacts and displaces the spring to release the suture from binding engagement with the first jaw and a hook on the needle engages the suture releasably supported on the first jaw; and retracting the needle back through the tissue, with the needle carrying the suture therewith. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for passing suture through tissue, the method comprising:
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providing a suture passer comprising; a shaft having a longitudinal axis; a first jaw mounted to the shaft in alignment with the axis, the first jaw comprising a first suture slot for releasably supporting a first length of suture thereon and a second suture slot for releasably supporting a second length of suture thereon, with the second suture slot being disposed in alignment with but distal to the first suture slot along the longitudinal axis of the shaft; a second jaw movably mounted to the shaft; and a needle movably mounted to the shaft, the needle having a hook and being configured to reciprocate in alignment with the axis so that the hook can selectively pass by the second jaw and engage a suture length releasably supported on the first jaw; positioning the first length of suture in the first suture slot and positioning the second length of suture in the second suture slot; positioning the suture passer adjacent tissue; passing the needle through the tissue, and using the needle to engage the first length of suture positioned in the first suture slot and pass the first length of suture through the tissue; releasing the first strand of suture from the suture passer; moving the suture passer relative to the tissue; passing the needle through the tissue, through the first suture slot, and using the needle to engage the second length of suture positioned in the second suture slot and pass the second length of suture through the tissue; and releasing the second strand of suture from the suture passer. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification