SUTURE PASSER WITH LOCKING ACTUATOR
Suture passer devices include a cannulated needle, a slidable member extending through the needle and a handle attached to a proximal portion of the needle. An actuator is in operative communication with a proximal portion of the slidable member. The actuator is configured to selectively translate the slidable member distally relative to the needle whereby the slidable member is extended relative to a distal portion of the needle and proximally relative to the needle whereby the slidable member is retracted and secured in a retracted position relative to the distal portion of the needle. The actuator further includes a locking mechanism for selectively locking the slidable member while in the retracted position. A first range of motion of the actuator is configured to control extending and retracting the slidable member and a second range of motion is configured to control locking and unlocking the slidable member.
1 - 24 . (canceled)
25 . A suture passer device comprising:
an elongated, cannulated needle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween;
a slidable, suture-capture member extending through the needle; and
an in-line handle attached to the proximal end of the needle, the handle including an actuator in operative communication with a proximal portion of the suture-capture member and configured to slide the suture-capture member distally relative to the needle, whereby the suture-capture member is extended relative to the distal end of the needle, and proximally relative to the needle, whereby the suture-capture member is retracted and secured in a retracted position relative to the distal end of the needle;
wherein the handle defines a linear track providing a path of the actuator such that linear movement of the actuator along the path controls the extending and retracting of the suture-capture member; and
wherein the linear track includes an elongated slot defined along a top surface of the handle and extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the needle, the slot configured for receiving a sliding portion of the actuator.
26 . The suture passer device of claim 25 , wherein the distal end of the needle comprises a curved distal region.
27 . The suture passer device of claim 25 , wherein the distal end of the needle comprises a pointed needle tip.
28 . The suture passer device of claim 25 , wherein the suture-capture member comprises a single, hooked member.
29 . The suture passer device of claim 25 , wherein the track defines a proximally facing abutment surface for preventing movement of the actuator along the path.
30 . The suture passer device of claim 25 , wherein the actuator is directly motion coupled to slidable member.
31 . The suture passer device of claim 25 , wherein the actuator is a thumb activated toggle.
32 . The suture passer device of claim 25 , wherein the slot includes a narrowed portion relative to a wider portion of the slot.
33 . The suture passer device of claim 25 , further comprising an interference or resistance based feature to resist sliding of the suture-capture member relative to the needle until a sufficient force is applied to overcome such interference or resistance based feature.
34 . The suture passer device of claim 25 , wherein the suture-capture member is configured to capture a suture when the suture-capture member is extended relative to the distal end of the needle, and to secure the suture within the needle when the suture-capture member is retracted relative to the distal end of the needle.
35 . A method of passing suture through tissue, the method comprising:
inserting a suture passer device through tissue, the suture passer device comprising:
an elongated, cannulated needle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween;
a slidable, suture-capture member extending through the needle; and
an in-line handle attached to the proximal end of the needle, the handle including an actuator in operative communication with a proximal portion of the suture-capture member and configured to slide the suture-capture member distally and proximally relative to the needle;
wherein the handle defines a linear track providing a path of the actuator such that linear movement of the actuator along the path controls the extending and retracting of the suture-capture member; and
wherein the linear track includes an elongated slot defined along a top surface of the handle and extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the needle, the slot configured for receiving a sliding portion of the actuator;
using the actuator, extending the suture capture member relative to the distal end of the needle to capture a suture; and
using the actuator, retracting the suture-capture member relative to the distal end of the needle to secure the suture within the needle.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the distal end of the needle comprises a curved distal region.
37 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the distal end of the needle comprises a pointed needle tip.
38 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the suture-capture member comprises a single, hooked member.
39 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the track defines a proximally facing abutment surface for preventing movement of the actuator along the path.
40 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the actuator is directly motion coupled to slidable member.
41 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the actuator is a thumb activated toggle.
42 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the slot includes a narrowed portion relative to a wider portion of the slot.
43 . The method of claim 35 , further comprising an interference or resistance based feature to resist sliding of the suture-capture member relative to the needle until a sufficient force is applied to overcome such interference or resistance based feature.
44 . The method of claim 35 , wherein inserting the suture passer device through the tissue comprises inserting the suture passer device through the tissue with the suture capture member in a retracted position.