Systems, apparatus and methods for passing suture through soft tissue

A suture passing apparatus, comprising:

• a needle comprising a tissue piercing distal end configured and adapted to releasably engage a suture and pierce into and through biological tissue with said suture said engaged thereto, said needle comprising a curvilinear region;
• a jaw mechanism adapted to receive and cooperate with said needle, wherein said needle is allowed to articulate with respect to said jaw mechanism,
• said jaw mechanism comprising top and bottom jaw members, said top jaw member adapted to axially articulate with respect to said bottom jaw member, whereby said jaw mechanism transitions from an open jaw configuration, wherein said top and bottom jaw members provide an open internal jaw region, to a closed jaw configuration, said open internal jaw region configured to receive said suture and said biological tissue therein;
• a retractable suture control ribbon adapted to control access of said suture into said open internal jaw region of said jaw mechanism, said releasable engagement of said suture by said needle, and release of said suture by said needle;
• and
• system control means for synchronizing said axial articulation of said top jaw member, said needle articulation, said access of said suture into said open internal jaw region of said jaw mechanism, said releasable engagement of said suture by said needle, and said release of said suture by said needle.