Suture Passing Devices and Methods

Abstract

A suture passing device includes a notchless tubular needle having a preformed curved shape. One or more cleats are disposed within the needle to help secure suture engaged by the sharp distal tip of the needle and to prevent further bifurcation of the suture. The deformable needle is housed in a channel of a lower jaw having a curved guidepath that approximates the curved geometry of the preformed needle, thereby facilitating the consistent return of the needle to its preformed shape each time the needle exits the channel. A dual needle suture passing device is also provided having a second notchless needle to enable a mattress stitch. Methods of loading a suture onto a notchless needle in a suture passer are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suture passing device, comprising:
 a suture,   a deformable needle comprising;   a notchless needle shaft member having a tissue piercing end distal to an elongate shaped section, the shaped section having a curvilinear shape, the shaped section being elastically deformable into a strained state and upon release to an unstrained state assumes the curvilinear shape, the needle shaft member comprising a sharp distal tip configured to engage the suture;   at least one cleat member inhibiting bifurcation of the suture engaged by the sharp distal tip of the needle;   a first jaw defining an axis and including a channel housing the notchless needle when retracted; and   a second jaw movable with respect to the first jaw for holding tissue to be sutured.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the notchless needle shaft member is tubular. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the non-straight needle geometry comprises a first curved shape;   the channel comprises a curved channel geometry approximating the first curved shape.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second jaw defines an aperture through which suture may be passed, the device further comprising:
 a pawl coupled to the second jaw, the pawl defining a window and being movable with respect to the second jaw such that the window is movable between a first position in which the window substantially overlaps the aperture and a second position in which the window does not substantially overlap the aperture, thereby causing suture to be pinched between window and aperture.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the notchless needle comprises a first notchless needle, the device further comprising:
 a second notchless needle disposed adjacent to the first notchless needle.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an actuator operatively coupled to each of the first and second notchless needles; and   a toggle mechanism to switch the actuator between the first and second notchless needles.   
     
     
         7 . A suture passing device, comprising:
 a deformable notchless needle having a memory shape comprising a curved needle geometry when fully exposed, the needle comprising a tube defining a distal opening;   a cleat disposed within the needle and configured to protrude out from the distal opening;   a first jaw defining an axis and including a channel having a curved channel geometry that approximates the needle geometry, the channel housing the deformable needle when retracted and providing an exit of the deformable needle to facilitate the needle returning to its memory shape upon exit; and   a second jaw defining an aperture through which suture may be passed, the second jaw being movable with respect to the first jaw for holding tissue to be sutured.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the cleat comprises a first cleat, the device further comprising a second cleat disposed within the needle and configured to protrude out from the distal opening. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a pawl coupled to the second jaw, the pawl defining a window and being movable with respect to the second jaw such that the window is movable between a first position in which the window substantially overlaps the aperture and a second position in which the window does not substantially overlap the aperture, thereby causing suture to be pinched between window and aperture.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the second jaw is configured to pivot with respect to the first jaw so as to remain substantially parallel to the first jaw when the second jaw is moved away from the first jaw. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the notchless needle comprises a first notchless needle, the device further comprising:
 a second notchless needle disposed adjacent to the first notchless needle.