Patent ID: 8460322

Claim:
A method of treating a condition of an airway, comprising: providing a suture passer comprising: a proximal handle; a first elongate shaft extending distally from the proximal handle; a second elongate shaft extending distally from the proximal handle; a needle carried within the first elongate shaft, the needle being extendable from and retractable into the first elongate shaft, the needle having a substantially straight configuration when located within the first elongate shaft, the needle configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the first elongate shaft and form a curved or lateral path through tissue toward the second elongate shaft; and a suture carried by the needle; wherein the second elongate shaft comprises a suture-receiving element having an opening configured to capture the suture; inserting the suture passer into a patient's tongue without passing the first and second elongate shafts through the tongue mucosa, wherein said inserting advances the suture distally into and through tongue tissue; moving the needle from a retracted position within the first elongate shaft through the opening in the first elongate shaft to an extended position within the tongue tissue to form a curved or lateral path through the tongue tissue, the needle carrying the suture along the path; capturing the suture from the needle at a location within the tongue tissue with the suture-receiving element; retracting the needle into the first elongate shaft; withdrawing the suture passer from the tongue while the suture remains captured by the suture-receiving element to place a suture loop in the tongue; and advancing the patient's tongue forward to relieve airway obstruction using a suture that follows the path of the suture loop placed by the suture passer, wherein the suture is secured near the patient's mandible to suspend the tongue.