Method and apparatus for passing suture through tissue

A suture passer comprising:

• a hollow tube, said hollow tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end;
• and
• a suture manipulation rod slidably received in said lumen of said hollow tube and selectively projectable out said distal end of said hollow tube, said suture manipulation rod comprising a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said suture manipulation rod comprising a suture catch, and said suture manipulation rod comprising a pushing portion disposed proximally of said suture catch of said suture manipulation rod;
• wherein said hollow tube and said suture manipulation rod are sized so that said suture catch of said suture manipulation rod may capture a suture disposed adjacent to said distal end of said hollow tube and draw the suture into said lumen of said hollow tube, and further wherein, after a suture has been drawn into said lumen of said hollow tube, distal movement of said suture manipulation rod causes the suture to be expelled from said hollow tube.

A method for passing suture through an object, the method comprising:

• providing a suture passer comprising:
• a hollow tube, said hollow tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end;
• and
• a suture manipulation rod slidably received in said lumen of said hollow tube and selectively projectable out said distal end of said hollow tube, said suture manipulation rod comprising a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said suture manipulation rod comprising a suture catch, and said suture manipulation rod comprising a pushing portion disposed proximally of said suture catch of said suture manipulation rod;
• wherein said hollow tube and said suture manipulation rod are sized so that said suture catch of said suture manipulation rod may capture a suture disposed adjacent to said distal end of said hollow tube and draw the suture into said lumen of said hollow tube, and further wherein, after a suture has been drawn into said lumen of said hollow tube, distal movement of said suture manipulation rod causes the suture to be expelled from said hollow tube;
• positioning said suture manipulation rod so that at least a portion of said suture manipulation rod extends out of said hollow tube;
• positioning at least one of said suture passer and the suture so that the suture is disposed between said at least a portion of the suture manipulation rod and the hollow tube;
• moving said suture manipulation rod proximally so that said suture manipulation rod draws the suture into said lumen of said hollow tube;
• and
• moving said suture passer so that the suture is passed through the object.