Smith + Nephew

Robert LaPrade

Stephen Anthony Santangelo

Coen Wijdicks

Jeffrey Wyman

George William White

David Kent Gregoire

David R Diduch

Jennifer Ng

Carmel Ilka Bijoux

Embodiments of the invention include implants, instruments, and methods for attaching or reattaching soft tissue () to a bone (), that enable independent tensioning of multiple connectors such as sutures () and enable redundant fixation between bone () and soft tissue (). Some embodiments provide for improved accuracy of the placement of substantially parallel tunnels through which soft tissue () to bone () connectors such as sutures () are passed.

Methods and devices for attaching or reattaching soft tissue to bone

A suture passer which is sized and shaped to be inserted through the femoral notch during a meniscal repair. The suture passer includes upper and lower jaws that may be straight or that may have an angled offset in relation to the common axis of the suture passer in order to gain an indirect access to meniscal tissue in a constricted space. The jaws of the suture passer may be angled, either to the left or to the right, up to 45 degrees from the central axis of the shaft. The suture passer is also able to grasp meniscal tissue prior to suture passing. A nitinol needle housed within one of the jaws can then be deployed to pass a preloaded suture through the tissue to be captured on the opposite side of the tissue.

Angled suture passer and method of use thereof

Growing community of inventors

Avon, CO, United States of America

Robert LaPrade