Arthrex, Gmbh

Robert McGregor Weber

Philip S O'Quinn

Reinhold Schmieding

R Pepper Murray

Stephen S Burkhart

Thomas Dooney, Jr

Jonathan Decker

Jacob L Powell

Keith D Nord

John P Gauldoni

Instruments and methods for passing suture in tissue repair and other surgical procedures are disclosed.

Suture passer and method of tissue repair

A handle for surgical instruments that has a 'wishbone' configuration. In one embodiment, the instrument is provided with a ratchet mechanism allows two operating handles to be locked in a predetermined position (for example, when the surgical instrument that is maneuvered is in use) or to move relative to each other when the ratchet is partially or fully released (for example, when the surgical instrument that is maneuvered is not in use). In another embodiment, the instrument is provided with a rotary gear mechanism.

Handle for surgical instruments

An instrument for passing sutures in tissue repair and/or other mini-open procedures. The instrument includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a hand assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a needle mounted on the hand assembly and through a cannulation of the shaft. The pair of jaws includes a lower jaw and an upper jaw, the lower jaw being provided with a slot configured to engage a plurality of sutures. The hand assembly has a finger lever with a ratchet and a releaser with a hook, the hand assembly being designed to move the needle from a first position to a second position, and to sequentially engage the needle with each of the plurality of sutures.

Suturing instrument for passing multiple sutures

A handle system usable for controlling medical devices, such as suture delivery devices. In at least one embodiment, the handle system may be directed to an embodiment configured to be used with a suture delivery device. The handle system may enable a suture delivery system of the suture delivery device to be partially actuated to prevent a needle from falling out of the suture delivery device. The needle and components of the handle system may be held in position through use of a position retention arm. By preventing the needle from falling out of the suture delivery device, the efficiency and safety of a medical device to which the handle system is attached is greatly increased. In addition, surgical personnel using a medical device incorporating the handle system are able to use the medical device in any position without risk of the needle falling out.

Handle system for suture driving device

An apparatus and method for passing suture in tissue repair and other surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a handle assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a needle mounted on the handle assembly and through a cannulation of the shaft. A suture is placed in a slot at the tip of the lower jaw. By advancing the needle relative to the body of the instrument, the needle is pushed forward to capture the suture and to pull it through the tissue to be sutured in a direction about parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

In-line suture passer and method of passing suture

An apparatus and method for passing suture in tissue repair and other surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a handle assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and two needles mounted on the handle assembly and through a cannulation of the shaft. A dual-needle actuator communicates with the two needles. A suture is placed at the tip of the lower jaw. By advancing the dual-needle actuator relative to the body of the instrument, the two needles are pushed forward to capture the suture and advance it through the tissue to be sutured.

Suturing instrument with dual needles and method of passing suture

A surgical suture cutter that has a 'wishbone' configuration and is provided with a locking mechanism having a mid-point lock that allows two operating handles to be locked in a predetermined position at which point the cutting jaw is held flush with the shaft but suture between the jaws of the cutter is allowed to slide without being cut. The locking mechanism is formed of first and second members provided with a first engagement element (for example, a hook) and a second engagement element (for example, a notch), to allow secure engagement of the first engagement element when the suture cutter instrument is in the mid-point locked position.

Mid-point lock suture cutter

Apparatus and methods for passing multiple sutures in tissue repair and/or other mini-open procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a hand assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a needle mounted on the hand assembly and passing through a cannulation of the shaft. The pair of jaws includes a lower jaw and an upper jaw, the lower jaw being provided with a slot configured to sequentially engage multiple sutures inserted into the instrument. The handle assembly has a cam mechanism and a finger lever with a ratchet and a releaser with a hook, the handle assembly being designed to move the needle from a first position to a second position, and to thereby sequentially capture, in the needle, each of the multiple sutures inserted in the instrument, for subsequent passing through tissue.

Suturing instrument and method for passing multiple sutures

A hand instrument for retrieving suture and advancing a suture knot within a patient. The instrument has a shaft with proximal and distal ends. A hinged jaw in the form of a crabclaw disposed on the distal end of the shaft captures suture within a closed aperture formed by the jaws or is used to pinch the suture between the jaws. A hand mechanism disposed on the proximal end of the shaft opens and closes the jaw.

Knot pusher and suture retriever

An apparatus and method for passing suture(s) in tissue repair and/or other mini-open procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a hand assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a needle mounted on the hand assembly and through a cannulation of the shaft. The pair of jaws includes a lower jaw and an upper jaw, the upper jaw being curve-shaped to enable grasping of thick tissue. The hand assembly has a finger lever with a ratchet and a releaser with a hook, the hand assembly being designed to move the needle from a first position to a second position.

Suture passing instrument and method of passing suture

An instrument for surgical suturing includes a shaft, and a needle disposed slidably for longitudinal travel with respect to the shaft. A prong formed on one end of the shaft projects across a longitudinal axis of the needle and has an opening formed through the prong that provides a clearance through which a tip portion of the needle passes when it is advanced. Slots formed on a surface of the prong facing the shaft releasably hold suture across the opening. Advancing the needle through the clearance allows a hook formed on the tip of the needle to capture the suture. Once withdrawn, the needle draws the suture back through tissue pierced during advancement. The suture is released from the slots and drawn back through the tissue for further knot tying and suturing to effect the tissue repairs.

Meniscal suturing instrument and method

An instrument for arthroscopic suture passing having a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end. A jaw disposed on the distal end has a needle and a hook. The jaw opens and closes with respect to a stationary distal tip of the instrument. A handle disposed on the proximal end manipulates the jaw. A movable suture shuttle is disposed in the distal tip of the instrument. Arthroscopic suture passing takes place by initially loading a length of suture into the suture shuttle, and capturing the suture by moving the suture shuttle away from a position in which it would engage the needle and hook. The needle then is advanced through tissue using the handle to close the jaw against the stationery tip. The suture shuttle then is advanced to load the suture onto the hook. Opening the jaw draws the needle back through the tissue, pulling the suture in a loop through the tissue. A spring arm urges tissue off of the needle. The loop of suture then is available for further suturing or knot tying.

Arthroscopic suture passing instrument

An instrument for surgical suturing includes a shaft, and a needle disposed slidably for longitudinal travel with respect to the shaft. A prong formed on one end of the shaft projects across a longitudinal axis of the needle and has an opening formed through the prong that provides a clearance through which a tip portion of the needle passes when it is advanced. Slots formed on a surface of the prong facing the shaft releasably hold suture across the opening. The suture is held in the slots by passing the suture strands separately back around the sides of the prong, then together up through a channel formed on the prong above the slots, and securing the strands in a pinch slot formed in a handle of the instrument. Advancing the needle through the clearance allows a hook formed on the tip of the needle to capture the suture. Once withdrawn, the needle draws the suture back through tissue pierced during advancement. The suture is released from the slots and drawn back through the tissue for further knot tying and suturing to effect the tissue repairs.

Endoscopic capsular suture plication instrument and method

An instrument for retrieving suture within a patient has a shaft with proximal and distal ends. The distal end terminates in a sharp tip. An opening is provided proximal to the sharp tip. A jaw captures suture slidably within the opening. A hand mechanism disposed on the proximal end of the shaft opens and closes the jaw.

Growing community of inventors

Chino Hills, CA, United States of America

Robert McGregor Weber