Patent ID: 8469974
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A suture passer comprising: a shaft having an axis; a distal jaw fixedly mounted to the shaft in alignment with the axis, the distal jaw being configured to releasably support a length of suture thereon; a proximal jaw movably mounted to the shaft, the proximal jaw being configured to reciprocate in alignment with the axis so as to (i) advance toward the distal jaw so as to clamp tissue between the proximal jaw and the distal jaw, and (ii) retract from the distal jaw so as to release tissue previously clamped between the proximal jaw and the distal jaw; an inner needle movably mounted to the shaft, the inner needle having a hook and being configured to reciprocate in alignment with the axis so that the hook can selectively (i) advance through tissue clamped between the proximal jaw and the distal jaw, and engage the suture releasably supported on the distal jaw, and (ii) retract the suture through the tissue; and an outer needle movably mounted to the shaft in coaxial disposition with the inner needle, the outer needle being configured to reciprocate so as to (i) advance through tissue clamped between the proximal jaw and the distal jaw and engage the suture engaged by the hook of the inner needle so as to clamp the suture to the inner needle, and (ii) retract through tissue clamped between the proximal jaw and the distal jaw; wherein the distal jaw comprises a spring for selectively binding the suture to the distal jaw.