Patent ID: 7166116

Claim:
A suture passer instrument, comprising: a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, said frame having a longitudinal passage; a bottom jaw member mounted to the distal end of the frame, the bottom jaw having a passage for receiving a surgical needle; a top jaw member pivotally mounted to the distal end of the frame such that the top jaw member is moveable with respect to the bottom jaw member, said top jaw member having a distal opening for receiving a cartridge member; a handle member mounted to the proximal end of the frame, the handle member having a cavity; a jaw actuation member having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the jaw actuation member is mounted to the handle member; a needle rod driving trigger member having a top and a bottom, wherein the top of the needle rod driving member is pivotally mounted to the handle member; a jaw actuation rod having a proximal end a distal end, wherein the jaw actuation rod is slidably mounted in the passage of the frame and wherein the proximal end of the jaw actuation rod engages the top jaw member, and the proximal end of the actuation rod is mounted to the jaw actuation member; a needle driving rod slidably mounted to the frame, wherein the needle driving member has a proximal end mounted to the needle driving trigger and a distal end for engaging a needle; a needle passage in the lower jaw having a distal opening out through the top of the lower jaw and a proximal opening in communication with the longitudinal passage of the frame; and a cartridge member mounted to the top jaw, wherein the cartridge has an opening for receiving at least part of a surgical needle, said cartridge comprising: a member having a top, a bottom and a cavity extending therethough; a top flange mounted to the cartridge having an opening in communication with the cavity; a bottom flange mounted to the bottom of the member having an opening in communication with the cavity; and, at least one needle engagement tab member extending into the cavity.