Suture passer systems and methods for tongue or other tissue suspension and compression

A method of treating a condition of an airway, comprising:

• providing a suture passer comprising:
• a proximal handle;
• a first elongate shaft extending distally from the proximal handle;
• a second elongate shaft extending distally from the proximal handle;
• a needle carried within the first elongate shaft, the needle being extendable from and retractable into the first elongate shaft, the needle having a substantially straight configuration when located within the first elongate shaft, the needle configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the first elongate shaft and form a curved or lateral path through tissue toward the second elongate shaft;
• and
• a suture carried by the needle;
• wherein the second elongate shaft comprises a suture-receiving element having an opening configured to capture the suture;
• inserting the suture passer into a patient's tongue without passing the first and second elongate shafts through the tongue mucosa, wherein said inserting advances the suture distally into and through tongue tissue;
• moving the needle from a retracted position within the first elongate shaft through the opening in the first elongate shaft to an extended position within the tongue tissue to form a curved or lateral path through the tongue tissue, the needle carrying the suture along the path;
• capturing the suture from the needle at a location within the tongue tissue with the suture-receiving element;
• retracting the needle into the first elongate shaft;
• withdrawing the suture passer from the tongue while the suture remains captured by the suture-receiving element to place a suture loop in the tongue;
• and
• advancing the patient's tongue to relieve airway obstruction using a suture that follows the path of the suture loop placed by the suture passer.