Abstract: A system for closing an aperture in a biological tissue includes at least one clip connected to at least one frame arm and for releasably retaining a surgical implant to the frame arm. The clip includes at least one locking structure for engaging a lock bar. A portion of the lock bar selectively engages or contacts the locking structure of the at least one clip to lock the at least one clip in a closed position by inhibiting rotation of the at least one clip when the lock bar is in a locked position. The lock bar allows the at least one clip to rotate to an open position when the lock bar is in an unlocked position. Methods for utilizing the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical mesh includes a body portion configured to extend across a tissue defect and a plurality of fibers secured to the body portion. The plurality of fibers extends outwardly from the body portion and is gathered at a hub for handling by a clinician. In embodiments, the plurality of fibers may be coupled to the mesh via one of knitting, weaving, or interlacing each fiber through yarns forming the body portion. In other embodiments, the plurality of fibers is coupled to the mesh via one of knotting, tying, welding, adhering, and fusing each fiber to yarns forming the body portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for the repair of ventral hernias. The method includes the steps of providing a needle; providing a barbed suture having a distal end attached to the needle; providing a surgical mesh; rolling the surgical mesh, the barbed suture, and the needle to form a rolled mesh having the needle oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rolled mesh; transferring the rolled mesh into a body cavity via a laparoscopic device; unrolling and laying the surgical mesh under a ventral hernia in an abdominal wall; threading the needle and barbed suture through the surgical mesh and the abdominal wall; and trimming the barbed suture.

Abstract: A surgical mesh includes a body portion configured to extend across a tissue defect and a plurality of fibers secured to the body portion. The plurality of fibers extends outwardly from the body portion and is gathered at a hub for handling by a clinician. In embodiments, the plurality of fibers may be coupled to the mesh via one of knitting, weaving, or interlacing each fiber through yarns forming the body portion. In other embodiments, the plurality of fibers is coupled to the mesh via one of knotting, tying, welding, adhering, and fusing each fiber to yarns forming the body portion.

Abstract: A system for closing an aperture in a biological tissue includes at least one clip connected to at least one frame arm and for releasably retaining a surgical implant to the frame arm. The clip includes at least one locking structure for engaging a lock bar. A portion of the lock bar selectively engages or contacts the locking structure of the at least one clip to lock the at least one clip in a closed position by inhibiting rotation of the at least one clip when the lock bar is in a locked position. The lock bar allows the at least one clip to rotate to an open position when the lock bar is in an unlocked position. Methods for utilizing the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A suture includes an elongate body and a filler material. The elongate body includes a distal end having first and second overlapping sections forming a loop. The filler material is disposed within at least a portion of a seam defined between the first and second overlapping sections of the elongate body to reinforce the first and second overlapping sections. A method of forming a reinforced looped suture includes providing a suture including an elongate body including a distal end having first and second overlapping sections defining a loop, and applying a filler material to a seam defined between the first and second overlapping sections.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for the repair of ventral hernias. The method includes the steps of providing a needle; providing a barbed suture having a distal end attached to said needle; providing a surgical mesh; rolling said surgical mesh, said barbed suture, and said needle to form a rolled mesh having said needle oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said rolled mesh; transferring said rolled mesh into a body cavity via a laparoscopic device; unrolling and laying said surgical mesh under a ventral hernia in an abdominal wall; threading said needle and barbed suture through said surgical mesh and said abdominal wall; and trimming said barbed suture.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for expert referral and ranking. A method may comprise receiving an indicator related to an activity of an individual on behalf of at least one client; calculating a rank based upon the indicator; and associating the rank with the individual, wherein the rank provides a measure of the individual's value to a community of clients and wherein the indicator is based on the extent to which the individual has been engaged repeatedly.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for expert referral and conflict management.

Abstract: A kit and method for using the kit to aid in alleviating the childhood fears that are associated with fictitious negative entities, such as monsters, ghosts, ghouls, and the like. The kit includes a spray container, and at least two fluids capable of insertion into the spray container, wherein the fluids include a marking agent that is associated with predetermined external criteria, such as the time of the day, room in the house, or name of the monster with which the child's fears are associated. A user can select an appropriate fluid based on the particular criteria associated with the fear, insert that fluid into the spray container, and then spray the fluid in an appropriate location to, in turn, alleviate the fears of the child about the negative entity.