Device And Methods For Use In Robotic Assisted Surgery For Treatment Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

There is provided a suture passer device used in procedures of robotic assisted minimally invasive suspension of the hyoid and tongue base in treatment of sleep apnea. The suture passer device is a dual use suture passer, having both suture insertor and extractor functionality on a single unitary instrument section of the device by means of insertion and extraction hooks positioned on an elongated needlelike body which is connected to a handle grip. The insertion and extraction hooks receive a suture via an opening in the body of the instrument, with the suture capable of removal and fastening to the extraction hook by robotic forceps. Procedures for using the device are disclosed which include a single point of entry on a patient and the device moved to first and second positions above and below the hyoid bone during robotic assisted surgery.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suture passer device comprising,
 an elongated needle like instrument having a body with an external surface, a first end received by a handle section and a second end with a needle tip;   said instrument having an insertion hook for securing a suture for insertion and an extraction hook for securing a suture during extraction;   said insertion hook and said extraction hook defined by an open mouth area located between said insertion hook and said extraction hook, and an internal surface extending from the external surface of the body adjacent to said insertion hook to said external surface of the body adjacent to said extraction hook to form an opening in the body of said suture passer device which receives the suture when said suture is placed into said mouth area;   said insertion hook securing said suture for delivering an insertion of said suture by said instrument and said extraction hook securing said suture for extraction of said suture by said instrument.   
     
     
         2 . The suture passer device according to  claim 1  wherein said instrument includes a head section angled away from a central axis of said instrument body. 
     
     
         3 . The suture passer device according to  claim 1  wherein said insertion hook is located on said instrument at a position proximal to said handle section relative to said extraction hook. 
     
     
         4 . The suture passer device according to  claim 1  wherein said body of said instrument has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         5 . The suture passer device according to  claim 1  wherein said body of said instrument has an oval shape. 
     
     
         6 . The suture passer device according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said insertion hook or said extraction hook is marked for visual aid. 
     
     
         7 . The suture passer device according to  claim 2  wherein an angle formed between the head section and the central axis of the instrument body is between 18 and 22 degrees.