A delivery device (suture passer or suture snare) (100, 200) that may be used in both open and endoscopic surgical procedures. The delivery device is designed with an internal member (50, 150) terminating in a snare (55) and a retractable outer sheath (sleeve) (40, 140). The device is passed through tissue, and the outer sheath is retracted (moved back), allowing the snare to open. The suture (70) is captured by the snare, and the outer sheath is then released so that it returns to its distal position, closing the snare and securing the captured suture. Since the snare is exposed by retracting the outer sheath (sleeve), rather than advancing the snare, the space requirement for the device is reduced, as is the possibility that the snare will undesirably contact sensitive tissue.
