# US 2014/0155914 A1 · Devices and methods for passing sutures through tissue > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155914 A1 - Document ID: US20140155914A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/958,401 - Filed: 2013-08-02 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-08-03 - Inventors: David James Schneider - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155914A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/0483: {Hand-held instruments for holding sutures (A61B17/0469 takes precedence; other holders for needles or sutures A61B17/06061; surgical forceps A61B17/28; surgical pincettes A61B17/30)} - A61B 17/0401: {Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811)} - A61B 17/0482: {Needle or suture guides (guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; guides for puncturing needles A61B17/3403)} - A61B 17/06066: {Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations} - A61B 17/06166: {Sutures (suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M)} - A61B 2017/00867: {shape memory effect} - A61B 2017/00893: {pharmaceutically effective} - A61B 2017/0403: {Dowels} - A61B 2017/0464: {for soft tissue} - A61B 2017/0472: {Multiple-needled, e.g. double-needled, instruments} - A61B 2017/0496: {for tensioning sutures} - A61B 2017/06042: {located close to needle tip} - A61B 2017/06052: {Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle} - A61B 2017/06176: {with protrusions, e.g. barbs} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A suture passer device is provided including a jaw configuration that grasps targeted tissue such as tendons or muscles in a similar manner as existing suture passer devices; however, the device introduces the needle and the attached suture along the axis of the shaft of the device. After grasping the targeted tissue, the needle is deployed by manipulating the handle of the device similar to conventional suture passers however, the needle is deployed in between the opposing jaws and the needle is advanced into tissue along the axis of the shaft as opposed to perpendicular to the shaft as in prior art devices. The invention further includes methods of deploying sutures and anchors. The invention also includes embodiments of jaw designs, and various embodiments of suture passing needles, sutures constructions, and anchor designs. Therefore, the invention also comprises the device in combination with the needles, sutures, and anchors, as well as the needles, sutures, and anchors in separate sub combinations. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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 wherein. said needle being advanced by operating the trigger mechanism in which the needle is advanced in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device through the opening in the shaft and into targeted tissue. ### Claim 2 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. ### Claim 3 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. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said opening of said shaft includes a plurality of openings extending substantially parallel to one another through said shaft, thereby enabling a corresponding plurality of suture passing needles to be passed simultaneously into targeted tissue by operation of said trigger mechanism. ### Claim 5 In combination, a suture and anchor repair system, especially adapted for repair of torn muscles or tendons, said combination comprising: at least one suture extending through a thickness of a targeted muscle/tendon, and in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of extension of the targeted muscle/tendon; at least one anchor secured to a bone structure adjacent the targeted muscle/tendon, and said at least one suture attached to said anchor. ### Claim 6 A suture construction comprising: a length of suture, and a plurality of barbs or protrusions extending angularly away from a longitudinal axis of said length of suture, said barbs or protrusions being spaced from one another along a length of said length of suture. ### Claim 7 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. ### Claim 8 A method of deploying an anchor used with a length of suture for preparing targeted tissue, said method comprising: advancing the suture and anchor 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; removing the anchor from within the shaft, wherein the anchor moves from a stored position within the shaft, to a deployed position within the targeted tissue, the deployed position resulting in expanding at least one dimension of the anchor. ### Claim 9 A suture passing needle, comprising: a linear extending needle shaft having an opening extending through the shaft; said shaft having a sharp and distal tip, and a notch formed in the distal tip. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A suture passing needle, as claimed in claim 9, further including: a plurality of perforations extending through said needle shaft ### Claim 11 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.