Patent ID: 7972344
Filing Date: 2011-07-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of passing suture through tissue, comprising: providing a suture passing instrument, the suture passing instrument comprising: 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.