Surgical suture passer and method of application

1. A surgical suture passer comprising:

a hollow needle having an axial lumen;

a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end adapted to receive and retain said hollow needle, said handle defining a planar recessed surface, said lumen in said hollow needle being aligned with said surface when said needle is retained by said handle whereby a suture positioned on said surface may be advanced or retracted by direct finger engagement of said suture into or out of said lumen; and

a clamp in said handle positioned and manipulatable by a single finger for clamping and unclamping said hollow needle to said handle against axial movement;

characterized in that said clamp is a pivotal arm that pivots in a direction transverse to said hollow needle about a pivot point on said handle which has a pivot axis in parallel alignment with said hollow needle and is dimensioned whereby an edge of said pivotal arm engages a side surface of said hollow needle thereby binding said hollow needle in position by using a single finger.

2. The surgical suture passer of claim 1 , wherein said pivotal arm has a notch dimensioned for engaging and binding said hollow needle in position.

3. The surgical suture passer of claim 1 , wherein said hollow needle is malleable whereby it may be bent to a desired curvature.

4. The surgical suture passer of claim 1 , wherein said surface includes an outwardly protruding hump for enhancing the finger engagement and advancement or retraction of a suture positioned thereon into or out of said lumen.

5. The surgical suture passer of claim 4 , wherein said hump is comprised of a roller.

6. The surgical suture passer of claim 1 , wherein said handle includes a suture passageway slot in a proximal end portion of said handle, said slot extending rearwardly toward said proximal end from said recessed surface and substantially in alignment with said hollow needle for receiving suture therein for temporary retention.

7. The surgical suture passer of claim 6 , including a spring clip in said slot which permits suture to be forced downwardly in said slot past said clip for retention under said clip.

8. The surgical suture passer of claim 1 , including a rigid cannulated support shaft secured to the distal end of said handle and receiving said hollow needle therethrough with an outer exposed portion of said needle keyed against rotation to the outer distal end of said shaft.

9. The surgical suture passer of claim 8 , wherein said pivotal arm has a notch dimensioned for engaging and binding said hollow needle in position.

10. The surgical suture passer of claim 8 , wherein said hollow needle is malleable whereby an exposed portion thereof may be bent to a desired curvature.

11. The surgical suture passer of claim 8 , wherein said surface includes an outwardly protruding hump for enhancing the finger engagement and advancement or retraction of a suture positioned thereon into or out of said lumen.

12. The surgical suture passer of claim 11 , wherein said hump is comprised of a roller.

13. The surgical suture passer of claim 8 , wherein said handle includes a suture passageway slot in a proximal end portion of said handle, said slot extending rearwardly toward said proximal end from said recessed surface and substantially in alignment with said hollow needle for receiving suture therein for temporary retention.

14. The surgical suture passer of claim 13 , including a spring clip in said slot which permits suture to be forced downwardly in said slot past said clip for retention under said clip.