Devices, systems, and methods for providing surgical access and facilitating closure of surgical access openings

A surgical method, comprising:

• providing a suture passer, including:
• an elongated sleeve defining a sharpened distal end;
• an inner shaft slidably disposed within the elongated sleeve;
• and
• an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the inner shaft, the end effector assembly including first and second arms, the first arm having a distal end and the second arm having a distal cap defining a blunt distal end;
• manipulating the suture passer such that the suture passer is disposed in a first condition, wherein the first and second arms of the end effector assembly are disposed in an approximated position relative to one another and extend at least partially from the sharpened distal end of the elongated sleeve, wherein the distal end of the first arm is positioned within the distal cap of the second arm when the end effector assembly is in the approximated position;
• advancing the suture passer into tissue such that the suture passer is transitioned to a second condition, wherein the first and second arms are disposed in the approximated position and positioned within the elongated sleeve to expose the sharpened distal end to facilitate penetration through tissue;
• and
• manipulating the suture passer such that the suture passer is transitioned to a third condition, wherein the first and second arms extend further from the distal end of the elongated sleeve relative to the first condition and are disposed in a spaced-apart position relative to one another and arranged for one of depositing a portion of suture into an internal surgical site or retrieving a portion of suture from the internal surgical site.

A surgical method, comprising:

• positioning a suture passer adjacent tissue, the suture passer including:
• a handle;
• an elongated sleeve extending distally from the handle;
• an inner member slidably disposed within the elongated sleeve;
• an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end portion of the inner member, the end effector assembly including first and second arms, one of the first and second arms defining a sharpened distal tip;
• and
• a locking component operably coupled to the inner member, the locking component configured to selectively engage a cooperative locking structure within the handle to releasably lock the inner member relative to the handle and the elongated sleeve;
• manipulating the suture passer such that the suture passer is disposed in a first condition, wherein the locking component engages the cooperative locking structure of the handle such that the first and second arms of the end effector assembly are releasably locked in an approximated position relative to one another and are disposed within the elongated sleeve;
• and
• advancing the suture passer into tissue such that the suture passer is transitioned to a second condition, with the first and second arms releasably locked in the approximated position and extending at least partially from a distal end portion of the elongated sleeve to expose the sharpened distal tip to facilitate penetration through tissue.