Patent ID: 8282656

Claim:
A suture passing instrument comprising: a first jaw coupled to an end of an elongated shaft; a second jaw coupled to the first jaw, and formed with a holder for supporting a suture; a needle slidably disposed within the first jaw, said needle having a hook on a side for releasably capturing a portion of a suture; said first jaw defining a channel for receiving said needle and a ramp for deflecting the needle transversely of the shaft when advanced to an extended position; said holder having a first portion and a second portion, said holder first portion comprising a longitudinal slot passing through a distal end of said second jaw and said holder second portion comprising a lateral slot passing through an adjacent side of said second jaw; and an opening formed in the second jaw that provides a clearance through which a tip portion of the needle passes when it is advanced to its extended position, said opening being positioned between said holder first portion and holder second portion such that a suture received in the holder extends longitudinally across the opening.