Method and apparatus for passing a suture

A suture passing instrument comprising:

• an operation handle having an actuator movable between a first position and a second position;
• a cannulated needle member having an internal bore and extending from the operation handle, the needle member having a straight portion along a first longitudinal axis, a curved end portion extending from the straight portion and defining an eyelet extending therethrough at the distal end of the curved end portion;
• and
• a suture holder assembly extending from the operation handle, the suture holder assembly has a movable suture carrier at a distal end configured to hold a suture, the movable suture carrier having a suture pusher telescopically and movably received in the movable suture carrier along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis and outside the bore of the needle member, wherein the suture carrier is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the suture pusher is movable beyond the suture carrier to carry the suture through the eyelet of the needle member;
• and
• a flexible longitudinal interference member received within the internal bore of the cannulated needle member and movable from a retracted position in the straight portion to an extended position in the curved end portion to lock the suture within the eyelet of the needle member.

A suture passing instrument comprising:

• an operation handle having a handle body, an actuator received in the handle body and movable between a first position and a second position and a slider mechanism operable by the actuator and including first and second pivotally attached slide members, the first slide member movable longitudinally along and inside a central cavity formed inside the handle body and the second slide member movable longitudinally along and inside a curved channel formed inside the handle body;
• a cannulated needle member having an internal bore and extending from the operation handle, the needle member having a straight portion along a first longitudinal axis, a curved end portion extending from the straight portion and defining an eyelet extending therethrough at the distal end of the curved end portion;
• a suture holder assembly extending from the operation handle, the suture holder assembly has a movable suture carrier at a distal end configured to hold a suture, the movable suture carrier having a suture pusher telescopically and movably received in the movable suture carrier along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis and outside the bore of the needle member, wherein the suture carrier is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the suture pusher is movable beyond the suture carrier to carry the suture through the eyelet of the needle member;
• and an interference member movable within the cannulated needle member to retain the suture within the eyelet.