Method and apparatus for passing suture

A suture manipulating device comprising:

• a first jaw having a first jaw track;
• a shuttle;
• a first stop;
• and
• a first pusher,
• wherein the shuttle is movable in the first jaw track via the first pusher,
• wherein the shuttle is releasably engageable with the first stop, and
• wherein the first stop is laterally closer to a longitudinal center of the first jaw track when the first stop is in a first position than when the first stop is in a second position.

A suture manipulating device comprising:

• a first jaw having a first jaw track;
• a shuttle;
• a first stop;
• a second stop;
• and
• a first pusher,
• wherein the first stop is releasably engageable with the second stop,
• wherein the first pusher is movable relative to the first stop and the second stop,
• wherein more of the first stop is in the second stop when the first stop is in a first position than when the first stop is in a second position,
• wherein when the first stop is releasably engaged with the second stop, the first stop is closer to a first side of the shuttle than to a second side of the shuttle, and
• wherein when the first stop is releasably engaged with the second stop, movement of the shuttle in the first jaw track is restricted.