Circular bone tunneling device

Abstract

An adjustable suture passer for use in arthroscopic surgery is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable suture passer comprises a head that describes a semicircular arc, an elongate body, a support element, and driving and control mechanisms. The head is adapted to accommodate a surgical needle and a guide wire, When the adjustable suture passer is activated, the needle is driven with sufficient force to penetrate bone. Use of the adjustable suture passer thus enables surgical attachment of soft tissue to bone without any necessity for a separate anchor.

1 . A bone tunneling device, for use in arthroscopic surgery, comprising:
 a surgical needle adapted to tunnel through a bone along a circular path;   a hollow elongate body enclosing said surgical needle; and   an extendable and retractable element, movable between at least one extended configuration and at least one retracted configuration;   said extendable and retractable element including a portion which is adapted to be located along said circular path.   
     
     
         2 . The bone tunneling device according to  claim 1 , wherein said surgical needle is a rigid surgical needle. 
     
     
         3 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The bone tunneling device according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising an extendable and retractable element driving mechanism, adapted, upon activation of an extendable and retractable element control, to drive the motion of said extendable and retractable element. 
     
     
         9 . The bone tunneling device according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising a surgical needle driving mechanism operative to control the motion of said tube surgical needle. 
     
     
         10 . The bone tunneling device according to  claim 9 , wherein said surgical needle driving mechanism is operated independently of said extendable and retractable element. 
     
     
         11 . The bone tunneling device according to  claim 9 , wherein upon activation of said surgical needle driving mechanism, said surgical needle is moved along said circular path to penetrate said bone. 
     
     
         12 . The bone tunneling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the extendable and retractable element is adapted to reach, upon extension, a predetermined location at which it intersects said circular path. 
     
     
         13 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The circular bone tunneling device according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising a handle adapted for driving said surgical needle to tunnel through said bone along said circular path. 
     
     
         19 . The bone tunneling device according to  claim 8 , additionally comprising at least one extendable and retractable element control adapted to control the movements of said extendable and retractable element driving mechanism. 
     
     
         20 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The bone tunneling device according to  claim 1 , further incorporating an indicator for indicating the extent of travel, along said circular path, of said surgical needle. 
     
     
         28 - 70 . (canceled)