Devices and methods for passing sutures through tissue

A method of passing suture into targeted tissue, said method comprising:

• providing a suture passing device, comprising:
• a pair of handles;
• a shaft operably connected to the handles;
• a trigger mechanism operably connected to the shaft;
• said shaft having a distal end including a stationary jaw and a movable jaw controlled for movement between and open position and a closed position by manipulating said handles;
• said shaft having an opening to receive a suture passing needle and attached suture;
• said shaft extending along a longitudinal axis;
• and
• advancing the needle through the device by operating the trigger mechanism, wherein the needle is advanced in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and through the opening in the shaft into the targeted tissue.

A method of passing suture into targeted tissue for a rotator cuff repair, said method comprising:

• providing a suture passing device, comprising:
• a pair of handles;
• a shaft operably connected to the handles;
• a trigger mechanism operably connected to the shaft;
• said shaft having a distal end including a stationary jaw and a movable jaw controlled for movement between and open position and a closed position by manipulating said handles;
• said shaft having an opening to receive a suture passing needle and attached suture;
• said shaft extending along a longitudinal axis;
• and
• advancing the needle through the device by operating the trigger mechanism, wherein the needle is advanced in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and through the opening in the shaft into the targeted tissue of the rotator cuff, near a center of mass of the rotator cuff, and the needle advancing lateral to medial through a thickness of the rotator cuff.

A method of deploying an anchor used with a length of suture for preparing targeted tissue, said method comprising:

• advancing the suture and anchor in a direction through a suture passing device, wherein the suture and anchor are passed into the tissue in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a shaft of the suture passing device;
• placing the suture and anchor at a desired location within the targeted tissue;
• placing tension on the suture in a direction opposite to the direction of advancement;
• and
• rotating the anchor so that it is disposed substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the suture.

In combination, a system for deploying an anchor and suture into targeted tissue, said system comprising:

• a shaft of a suture passing device having an opening extending through the shaft;
• a deployment sleeve extending through said opening;
• a length of suture extending through said sleeve, and having a distal end extending beyond a distal end of said deployment sleeve;
• and
• an anchor attached to the distal end of said suture.