Abstract: A surgical staple for use in creating an everted anastomosis of at least two anatomical structures includes a bendable staple body. At least two evening elements protrude from the staple body. Spacing elements and a penetrating element also are provided. In use, the evening elements and spacing elements are apposed, and inner layers of the anatomical structures are held together to form an evened anastomosis. The evening platforms are disposed on an outer radius of the closed staple, and the penetrating element is disposed on a different, inner radius, to ensure that the penetrating element is excluded from the lumen of the anastomosis. Embodiments of the invention substantially ensure intima-to-intima approximation completely circumferentially at the anastomotic site, with no portion of cut tissue edges, suture or staple exposed to the lumen of the anastomosis. Cut tissue edges, as well as the staple, are completely extra-lumenal. Related methods provide similar advantages.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing an anatomical structure includes a combination of repeating rigid elements within a single flexible element. While applicable to routine open surgical techniques and to a variety of anatomical structures, the system is especially applicable to minimally invasive endoscopic/robotic mitral valve repair. An annuloplasty system according to the invention is immediately intuitive, logical and simple to use.

Abstract: A surgical staple for use in creating an everted anastomosis of at least two anatomical structures includes a bendable staple body. At least two everting elements protrude from the staple body. Spacing elements and a penetrating element also are provided. In use, the everting elements and spacing elements are apposed, and inner layers of the anatomical structures are held together to form an everted anastomosis. The everting platforms are disposed on an outer radius of the closed staple, and the penetrating element is disposed on a different, inner radius, to ensure that the penetrating element is excluded from the lumen of the anastomosis. Embodiments of the invention substantially ensure intima-to-intima approximation completely circumferentially at the anastomotic site, with no portion of cut tissue edges, suture or staple exposed to the lumen of the anastomosis. Cut tissue edges, as well as the staple, are completely extra-lumenal. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A staple for effecting e.g. an anastomosis between two vascular structures is combined with a delivery system for the staple, the delivery system comprising a suture having a needle connected thereto at one end. The needle is constructed for passage through an edge of each vascular structure, and further is constructed to pull the suture through the vascular structures. The staple according to one embodiment is connected to an end of the suture opposite the needle. After being drawn into place by the suture, the staple is hooked into a desired position with respect to the vascular structures such that the staple is engaged on both sides of the anastomosis. The staple then is crimped to form substantially a loop around the edge of the anastomosis to hold the vascular structures together, both internally and externally. The suture is constructed for ready separation from the staple once the staple is crimped. Once separated, e.g. by cutting, the delivery system is removed from the staple.

Abstract: An annuloplasty system is disclosed that respects the uniqueness of each anterior mitral or tricuspid valve leaflet as the appropriate template for an annuloplasty ring. Each dilated tissue annulus is brought to a precise anterior mitral or tricuspid leaflet perimeter dimension, rather than to the dimension of a specific-sized annuloplasty ring. Thus, precise measured plication of the dilated mitral or tricuspid annulus is possible in every case, resulting in mitral or tricuspid repair with greater predictability and reproduceability. Substantially rigid suture support segments to be placed at least partially circumferentially about an anatomical structure, such as a heart valve, are delivered to the heart valve by a plurality of linked-together segment holders. The segment holders also function as sizing elements for precisely and easily measuring the perimeter of an anterior mitral or tricuspid leaflet, for example.