received by the International Bureau on 12 August 2018 (12.08.2018)

CLAIMS:

1. A suture passer defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a jaw assembly configured to be operated to selectively grip an internal tissue of a patient, and a needle mechanism configured to be operated to place a suture on said tissue;

said jaw assembly comprising a stationary first jaw portion and a second jaw portion pivotable about a jaw axis with respect to said first jaw portion between a closed position and an open position, the jaw assembly further comprising a pivoting arrangement configured to facilitate hingedly articulating said first and second jaw portions, the pivoting arrangement being free of a member traversing the jaw assembly parallel to the jaw axis, said jaw assembly being configured to hold a thread for said suture;

said needle mechanism comprising a needle being configured for piercing said tissue and pulling said thread from the jaw assembly, and a carrying member at a first end thereof being pivotable, independently of said second jaw portion at least when the second jaw portion is in its closed position, with respect to the first jaw portion, said needle being hingedly articulated to a second end of the carrying member between an extended position in which it is disposed distally to said carrying member along a longitudinal axis thereof, an open position in which it is disposed substantially perpendicular to the carrying member, and a closed position in which it lies in registration therewith, the needle mechanism further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the needle from its closed position into its open position, and a positioning element configured to urge the needle from its extended position to its open position, the biasing member and positioning element being configured to maintain the needle in its open position, the needle mechanism further comprising a locking arrangement configured to selectively impede pivoting of said needle when in its open position.

2. The suture passer according to claim 1 , further comprising a closing arrangement configured to bring the needle to its closed position when the carrying member is pivoted toward the jaw assembly.

3. The suture passer according to claim 2, wherein the jaw assembly constitutes a portion of said closing arrangement.

4. The suture passer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of said jaw portions is formed, on a surface facing the other jaw portion, with a transverse groove for holding the thread.

5. The suture passer according to claim 4, wherein the jaw portion formed with said groove 26

and said needle assembly are disposed on opposite sides of said other jaw portion.

6. The suture passer according to claim 5, wherein a surface of said other jaw portion facing the needle assembly is formed with a seat configured to at least partially receive therein the needle assembly.

5 7. The suture passer according to any one of claim 4 through 6, said groove being formed in said first jaw portion.

8. The suture passer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second jaw portions are each formed with a longitudinal slot, configured to allow passage therethrough of the needle in its open position.

10 9. The suture passer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pivoting arrangement comprises axially spaced hinge members and corresponding sockets for receiving and permitting rotation therein of said hinge members.

10. The suture passer according to claim 9, wherein said hinge members project from a proximal end of said second jaw portion.

15 11. The suture passer according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a jaw actuator configured to control pivoting of said second jaw portion, and a carrier actuator configured to control pivoting of said carrier portion, independently of said jaw actuator.

12. The suture passer according to claim 11, further comprising a handle mechanism configured to facilitate a user to selectively and independently operate said jaw and carrier

20 actuators.

13. The suture passer according to claim 12, wherein said handle mechanism is configured such that operation of said carrier actuator to pivot said carrying member to a closed position also operates said jaw actuator to pivot said second jaw portion to its closed position.

14. The suture passer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said positioning 25 element comprises a flat spring.

15. The suture passer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said locking arrangement comprises facing cooperating surfaces of the needle and carrying members, said surfaces being configured to be selectively engaged with each other to impede the pivoting of the needle.

30 16. The suture passer according to claim 15, wherein said cooperating surfaces are planar.

17. The suture passer according to claim 15, wherein said cooperating surfaces are formed with non-planar surfaces.

18. The suture passer according to claim 15, wherein one of said cooperating surfaces 27

comprises a projection, the other of said cooperating surfaces comprising a corresponding aperture configured to receive it when the needle is in its open position.

19. The suture passer according to any one of claims 15 through 18, said needle comprising an oblong aperture receiving a pin therewithin, configured to facilitate the needle to be displaced

5 longitudinally, when in its open position, toward the carrying member, thereby engaging said cooperating surfaces.

20. A suture passer defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a jaw assembly configured to be operated to selectively grip an internal tissue of a patient, and a needle mechanism configured to be operated to place a suture on said tissue;

10 said jaw assembly comprising a stationary first jaw portion and a second jaw portion pivotable about a jaw axis with respect to said first jaw portion between a closed position and an open position, , said jaw assembly being configured to hold a thread for said suture;

said needle mechanism comprising a needle being configured for piercing said tissue and pulling said thread from the jaw assembly, and a carrying member at a first end thereof being

15 pivotable, independently of said second jaw portion at least when the second jaw portion is in its closed position, with respect to the first jaw portion.

21. The suture passer according to claim 20, further comprising a jaw actuator configured to control pivoting of said second jaw portion, and a carrier actuator configured to control pivoting of said carrier portion, independently of said jaw actuator.

20 22. The suture passer according to claim 21, further comprising a handle mechanism configured to facilitate a user to selectively and independently operate said jaw and carrier actuators.

23. The suture passer according to claim 22, wherein said handle mechanism is configured such that operation of said carrier actuator to pivot said carrying member to a closed position

25 also operates said jaw actuator to pivot said second jaw portion to its closed position.

24. The suture passer according to any one of claims 21 through 23, wherein said jaw assembly further comprises a pivoting arrangement configured to facilitate hingedly articulating said first and second jaw portions, the pivoting arrangement being free of a member traversing the jaw assembly parallel to the jaw axis.

30 25. The suture passer according to claim 24, wherein said pivoting arrangement comprises axially spaced hinge members and corresponding sockets for receiving and permitting rotation therein of said hinge members.

26. The suture passer according to claim 25, wherein said hinge members project from a 28

proximal end of said second jaw portion.

27. The suture passer according to any one of claims 21 through 26, said needle being hingedly articulated to a second end of the carrying member between an open position in which it is disposed substantially perpendicular to the carrying member and a closed position in which

5 it is disposed substantially parallel thereto.

28. The suture passer according to claim 27, further comprising a closing arrangement configured to bring the needle to its closed position when the carrying member is pivoted toward the jaw assembly.

29. The suture passer according to claim 28, wherein the jaw assembly constitutes a portion 10 of said closing arrangement.

30. The suture passer according to any one of claims 27 through 29, said needle mechanism further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the needle to its open position.

31. The suture passer according to any one of claims 27 through 30, wherein the needle, in its closed position, lies in registration with the carrying member.

15 32. The suture passer according to claims 30 and 31, said needle being further hingedly articulated to a second end of the carrying member between an extended position in which it is disposed distally to said carrying member along a longitudinal axis thereof, an open position in which it is disposed substantially perpendicular to the carrying member;

the needle mechanism further comprising a positioning element configured to urge the

20 needle from its extended position to its open position, the biasing member and positioning element being configured to maintain the needle in its open position.

33. The suture passer according to claim 32, wherein said positioning element comprises a flat spring.

34. The suture passer according to any one of claims 27 through 33, said needle mechanism 25 further comprising a locking arrangement configured to selectively impede pivoting of said needle when in its open position.

35. The suture passer according to claim 34, wherein said locking arrangement comprises facing cooperating surfaces of the needle and carrying members, said surfaces being configured to be selectively engaged with each other to impede the pivoting of the needle.

30 36. The suture passer according to claim 35, wherein said cooperating surfaces are planar.

37. The suture passer according to claim 35, wherein said cooperating surfaces are formed with non-planar surfaces.

38. The suture passer according to claim 35, wherein one of said cooperating surfaces 29

comprises a projection, the other of said cooperating surfaces comprising a corresponding aperture configured to receive it when the needle is in its open position.

39. The suture passer according to any one of claims 35 through 38, said needle comprising an oblong aperture receiving a pin therewithin, configured to facilitate the needle to be displaced

5 longitudinally, when in its open position, toward the carrying member, thereby engaging said cooperating surfaces.

40. The suture passer according to any one of claims 20 through 39, wherein one of said jaw portions is formed, on a surface facing the other jaw portion, with a transverse groove for holding the thread.

10 41. The suture passer according to claim 40, wherein the jaw portion formed with said groove and said needle assembly are disposed on opposite sides of said other jaw portion.

42. The suture passer according to claim 41, wherein a surface of said other jaw portion facing the needle assembly is formed with a seat configured to at least partially receive therein the needle assembly.

15 43. The suture passer according to any one of claim 40 through 42, said groove being formed in said first jaw portion.

44. The suture passer according to any one of claims 20 through 43, wherein said first and second jaw portions are each formed with a longitudinal slot, configured to allow passage therethrough of the needle.

20 45. A suture passer defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a jaw assembly configured to be operated to selectively grip an internal tissue of a patient, and a needle mechanism configured to be operated to place a suture on said tissue;

said jaw assembly comprising a stationary first jaw portion and a second jaw portion pivotable about a jaw axis with respect to said first jaw portion between a closed position and an 25 open position, the jaw assembly further comprising a pivoting arrangement configured to facilitate hingedly articulating said first and second jaw portions, the pivoting arrangement being free of a member traversing the jaw assembly parallel to the jaw axis, said jaw assembly being configured to hold a thread for said suture;

said needle mechanism comprising a needle being configured for piercing said tissue and 30 pulling said thread from the jaw assembly, and a carrying member at a first end thereof being pivotable with respect to the first jaw portion.

46. The suture passer according to claim 45, wherein said pivoting arrangement comprises axially spaced hinge members and corresponding sockets for receiving and permitting rotation 30

therein of said hinge members.

47. The suture passer according to claim 46, wherein said hinge members project from a proximal end of said second jaw portion.

48. The suture passer according to any one of claims 45 through 47, wherein said carrying 5 member is pivotable independently of said second jaw portion at least when the second jaw portion is in its closed position.

49. The suture passer according to claim 48, further comprising a jaw actuator configured to control pivoting of said second jaw portion, and a carrier actuator configured to control pivoting of said carrier portion, independently of said jaw actuator.

10 50. The suture passer according to claim 49, further comprising a handle mechanism configured to facilitate a user to selectively and independently operate said jaw and carrier actuators.

51. The suture passer according to claim 50, wherein said handle mechanism is configured such that operation of said carrier actuator to pivot said carrying member to a closed position

15 also operates said jaw actuator to pivot said second jaw portion to its closed position.

52. The suture passer according to any one of claims 45 through 51, said needle being hingedly articulated to a second end of the carrying member between an open position in which it is disposed substantially perpendicular to the carrying member and a closed position in which it is disposed substantially parallel thereto.

20 53. The suture passer according to claim 52, further comprising a closing arrangement configured to bring the needle to its closed position when the carrying member is pivoted toward the jaw assembly.

54. The suture passer according to claim 53, wherein the jaw assembly constitutes a portion of said closing arrangement.

25 55. The suture passer according to any one of claims 45 through 54, said needle mechanism further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the needle to its open position.

56. The suture passer according to any one of claims 45 through 55, wherein the needle, in its closed position, lies in registration with the carrying member.

57. The suture passer according to claims 55 and 56, said needle being further hingedly 30 articulated to a second end of the carrying member between an extended position in which it is disposed distally to said carrying member along a longitudinal axis thereof, an open position in which it is disposed substantially perpendicular to the carrying member;

the needle mechanism further comprising a positioning element configured to urge the 31

needle from its extended position to its open position, the biasing member and positioning element being configured to maintain the needle in its open position.

58. The suture passer according to claim 57, wherein said positioning element comprises a flat spring.

59. The suture passer according to any one of claims 45 through 58, said needle mechanism further comprising a locking arrangement configured to selectively impede pivoting of said needle when in its open position.

60. The suture passer according to claim 59, wherein said locking arrangement comprises facing cooperating surfaces of the needle and carrying members, said surfaces being configured to be selectively engaged with each other to impede the pivoting of the needle.

61. The suture passer according to claim 60, wherein said cooperating surfaces are planar.

62. The suture passer according to claim 60, wherein said cooperating surfaces are formed with non-planar surfaces.

63. The suture passer according to claim 60, wherein one of said cooperating surfaces comprises a projection, the other of said cooperating surfaces comprising a corresponding aperture configured to receive it when the needle is in its open position.

64. The suture passer according to any one of claims 60 through 63, said needle comprising an oblong aperture receiving a pin therewithin, configured to facilitate the needle to be displaced longitudinally, when in its open position, toward the carrying member, thereby engaging said cooperating surfaces.

65. The suture passer according to any one of claims 45 through 64, wherein one of said jaw portions is formed, on a surface facing the other jaw portion, with a transverse groove for holding the thread.

66. The suture passer according to claim 65, wherein the jaw portion formed with said groove and said needle assembly are disposed on opposite sides of said other jaw portion.

67. The suture passer according to claim 66, wherein a surface of said other jaw portion facing the needle assembly is formed with a seat configured to at least partially receive therein the needle assembly.

68. The suture passer according to any one of claim 65 through 67, said groove being formed in said first jaw portion.

69. The suture passer according to any one of claims 45 through 68, wherein said first and second jaw portions are each formed with a longitudinal slot, configured to allow passage therethrough of the needle. 32

70. A suture passer defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a jaw assembly configured to be operated to selectively grip an internal tissue of a patient, and a needle mechanism configured to be operated to place a suture on said tissue;

said jaw assembly comprising a stationary first jaw portion and a second jaw portion 5 pivotable about a jaw axis with respect to said first jaw portion between a closed position and an open position, said jaw assembly being configured to hold a thread for said suture;

said needle mechanism comprising a needle being configured for piercing said tissue and pulling said thread from the jaw assembly, and a carrying member at a first end thereof being pivotable with respect to the first jaw portion, said needle being hingedly articulated to a second 10 end thereof between an open position in which it is disposed substantially perpendicular to the carrying member and a closed position in which it is disposed substantially parallel thereto.

71. The suture passer according to claim 70, further comprising a closing arrangement configured to bring the needle to its closed position when the carrying member is pivoted toward the jaw assembly.

15 72. The suture passer according to claim 71, wherein the jaw assembly constitutes a portion of said closing arrangement.

73. The suture passer according to any one of claims 70 through 72, said needle mechanism further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the needle to its open position.

74. The suture passer according to any one of claims 70 through 73, wherein the needle, in its 20 closed position, lies in registration with the carrying member.

75. The suture passer according to claims 73 and 74, said needle being further hingedly articulated to a second end of the carrying member between an extended position in which it is disposed distally to said carrying member along a longitudinal axis thereof, an open position in which it is disposed substantially perpendicular to the carrying member;

25 the needle mechanism further comprising a positioning element configured to urge the needle from its extended position to its open position, the biasing member and positioning element being configured to maintain the needle in its open position.

76. The suture passer according to claim 75, wherein said positioning element comprises a flat spring.

30 77. The suture passer according to any one of claims 70 through 76, said needle mechanism further comprising a locking arrangement configured to selectively impede pivoting of said needle when in its open position.

78. The suture passer according to claim 77, wherein said locking arrangement comprises 33

facing cooperating surfaces of the needle and carrying members, said surfaces being configured to be selectively engaged with each other to impede the pivoting of the needle.

79. The suture passer according to claim 78, wherein said cooperating surfaces are planar.

80. The suture passer according to claim 78, wherein said cooperating surfaces are formed 5 with non-planar surfaces.

81. The suture passer according to claim 78, wherein one of said cooperating surfaces comprises a projection, the other of said cooperating surfaces comprising a corresponding aperture configured to receive it when the needle is in its open position.

82. The suture passer according to any one of claims 78 through 81, said needle comprising 10 an oblong aperture receiving a pin therewithin, configured to facilitate the needle to be displaced longitudinally, when in its open position, toward the carrying member, thereby engaging said cooperating surfaces.

83. The suture passer according to any one of claims 70 through 82, wherein one of said jaw portions is formed, on a surface facing the other jaw portion, with a transverse groove for

15 holding the thread.

84. The suture passer according to claim 83, wherein the jaw portion formed with said groove and said needle assembly are disposed on opposite sides of said other jaw portion.

85. The suture passer according to claim 84, wherein a surface of said other jaw portion facing the needle assembly is formed with a seat configured to at least partially receive therein

20 the needle assembly.

86. The suture passer according to any one of claim 83 through 85, said groove being formed in said first jaw portion.

87. The suture passer according to any one of claims 70 through 86, wherein said first and second jaw portions are each formed with a longitudinal slot, configured to allow passage

25 therethrough of the needle.

88. The suture passer according to any one of claims 70 through 87, wherein said jaw assembly further comprises a pivoting arrangement configured to facilitate hingedly articulating said first and second jaw portions, the pivoting arrangement being free of a member traversing the jaw assembly parallel to the jaw axis.

30 89. The suture passer according to claim 88, wherein said pivoting arrangement comprises axially spaced hinge members and corresponding sockets for receiving and permitting rotation therein of said hinge members.

90. The suture passer according to claim 89, wherein said hinge members project from a 34

proximal end of said second jaw portion.

91. The suture passer according to any one of claims 70 through 90, wherein said carrying member is pivotable independently of said second jaw portion at least when the second jaw portion is in its closed position.

5 92. The suture passer according to claim 91, further comprising a jaw actuator configured to control pivoting of said second jaw portion, and a carrier actuator configured to control pivoting of said carrier portion, independently of said jaw actuator.

93. The suture passer according to claim 92, further comprising a handle mechanism configured to facilitate a user to selectively and independently operate said jaw and carrier

10 actuators.

94. The suture passer according to claim 93, wherein said handle mechanism is configured such that operation of said carrier actuator to pivot said carrying member to a closed position also operates said jaw actuator to pivot said second jaw portion to its closed position.

95. A handle mechanism for a suture passer, the suture passer having a suturing mechanism 15 for placement of a suture on a patient, the suturing mechanism comprising a jaw portion for gripping an internal tissue of a patient and moveable between open and closed positions, and a needle mechanism moveable between open and closed positions and having a moveable carrying member for deploying a needle to place the suture, said suture passer further comprising a handle mechanism configured to facilitate independent operation of said jaw portion and said carrying 20 member;

the handle mechanism comprising a trigger assembly comprising a jaw lever configured to operate said jaw portion to move it between its respective open and closed positions, and a carrier lever configured to operate said carrying member to move it between its respective open and closed positions;

25 said trigger assembly being configured such that engagement of the carrier lever to move the carrying member to its closed position engages the jaw lever to move the jaw portion to its closed position, and being further configured such that the carrier lever may be released to autonomously bring the carrying member to its open position with the jaw portion remaining in its closed position.

30 96. The handle mechanism according to claim 95, the trigger assembly further comprising jaw and carrier biasing elements configured to urge, respectively, said jaw and carrier levers into positions associated with open positions of the jaw portion and the carrying member.

97. The handle mechanism according to any one of claims 95 and 96, the trigger assembly 35

further comprising a coupling element configured to engage the jaw and carrier levers to move in tandem with each other, and to be selectively disengaged to permit independent movement of the jaw and carrier levers.

98. The handle mechanism according to claim 97, the trigger assembly being configured to allow autonomous re -engagement of the coupling element with the jaw and carrier levers.

99. The handle mechanism according to any one of claims 97 and 98, the trigger assembly further comprising a carrier-release button for activation by a user, wherein activation of said carrier-release button disengages said coupling element.

100. The handle mechanism according to any one of claims 95 through 99, the trigger assembly further comprising a ratchet mechanism configured, when engaged, to allow the jaw lever to be moved to a position associated with the closed position of the jaw portion, and prevent movement thereof to a position associated with the open position of the jaw portion.

101. The handle mechanism according to claim 100, said ratchet mechanism comprising a release element configured to disengage the ratchet mechanism, thereby allowing autonomous movement of the jaw lever to a position associated with the open position of the jaw portion.

102. The handle mechanism according to claim 101, wherein said release element comprises a jaw-release button configured for activation by a user, wherein activation of said jaw-release button disengages the ratchet mechanism.

103. A suture passer according to any one of claims 1 through 94, comprising a handle mechanism according to any one of claims 95 through 102.