Abstract: In one aspect there is a curved medical instrument comprising an outer member and an inner member. The inner member has a curved portion at a distal region of the inner member. The outer member is concentrically and movably coupled to the inner member and has a flexible transmission mechanism at a distal region of the outer member. The flexible transmission mechanism transmits a linear and/or rotational actuating force along the curved portion of the instrument. The inner member can include an opening configured to receive a target for cutting, such as a flexible fixating member and/or biological tissue.

Abstract: A medical device that attaches to tissue without requiring stitching includes a tissue fixation device having a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop, and an assisting member disposed through the first sub-loop and through the second sub-loop. The tissue fixation device includes an adjustable, flexible member formed by inserting one end portion of the flexible member through another end portion of the flexible member, and first and second sub-loops formed by crossing a portion of the flexible member over a different portion of the flexible member.

Abstract: An apparatus for tissue repair includes first and second fixation members configured to secure tissue together, a flexible coupling member coupling the first and second fixation members, a first flexible pull member attached to the first fixation member but not the second fixation member, and a second flexible pull member attached to the second fixation member but not the first fixation member. A surgical method for repairing a wound in a rotator cuff includes forming a first and second channel through tissue, advancing a first flexible member and a first fixation member coupled thereto through the first channel, advancing a second flexible member and a second fixation member coupled thereto through the second channel, and pulling a third flexible member coupling the first and second fixation members to shorten a length of the third flexible member between the first and second fixation members.

Abstract: A medical device that attaches to tissue without requiring stitching includes a tissue fixation device having a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop, and an assisting member disposed through the first sub-loop and through the second sub-loop. The tissue fixation device includes an adjustable, flexible member formed by inserting one end portion of the flexible member through another end portion of the flexible member, and first and second sub-loops formed by crossing a portion of the flexible member over a different portion of the flexible member.

Abstract: In one aspect there is a curved medical instrument comprising an outer member and an inner member. The inner member has a curved portion at a distal region of the inner member. The outer member is concentrically and movably coupled to the inner member and has a flexible transmission mechanism at a distal region of the outer member. The flexible transmission mechanism transmits a linear and/or rotational actuating force along the curved portion of the instrument. The inner member can include an opening configured to receive a target for cutting, such as a flexible fixating member and/or biological tissue.