Suture passing devices and methods

摘要

An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for passing suture through soft tissue. The surgical device can include at least one elongate superelastic member having a thickness and having a first resting configuration that defines at least one curve having a first radius of curvature greater than or equal to 3 times the thickness of the superelastic member. The surgical device also can include a thermally formed opening in the superelastic member, the opening adapted to receive at least one strand of suture. Moreover, the surgical device can include a superelastic member adapted to be straightened into a second configuration having a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature.

主权项

1. A surgical device for passing suture through soft tissue comprising:
a first elongate member having a crochet hook at a distal end of the first elongate member, the crochet hook for engaging a strand of suture; wherein said first elongate member includes a substantially curved first resting configuration and is compressible into a substantially straight second, stressed configuration, and returns towards said first resting configuration as a compressive external force is reduced; a second elongate member having a lumen and substantially housing said first elongate member in the second, stressed configuration, the first elongate member completely slideable within the lumen, and wherein the suture is positionable completely outside of the lumen of the second elongate member; and a grasping mechanism comprising a first jaw and a second jaw connected to said second elongate member at a distal end thereof, with one of said first and second jaws moveable relative to the other, said moveable jaw having an opening that is substantially transverse to a long axis of the moveable jaw for allowing the first elongate member therethrough, wherein said grasping mechanism is configured to clamp soft tissue while said first elongate member is configured to advance distally through the soft tissue; wherein the first elongate member in the substantially curved first resting configuration extends through and beyond the opening in the moveable jaw to pass the suture through the soft tissue; and wherein in the substantially curved first resting configuration, the first elongate member has a radius of curvature that is at least three times a diameter of the first elongate member.