Abstract: A suturing system including an elongate distal member and an elongate proximal member proximal the elongate distal member, the elongate proximal member having a lumen. A needle deployment actuator extends to the elongate distal member and is configured to initiate proximal movement of a needle toward an opening of the elongate proximal member. A guide is disposed within the elongate proximal member, a perimeter of the guide forming a plurality of needle receiving gaps that, when viewed in cross-section, are circumferentially spaced about the deployment actuator with a portion of the guide disposed between adjacent needle receiving gaps extending outwardly towards a wall of the lumen of the elongate proximal member.

Abstract: A suturing system including a sheath, a handle assembly proximal the sheath, an elongate body disposed between the sheath and the handle, a plurality of needles disposed distal the elongate body in a pre-deployed configuration and movable into the elongate body in a deployed configuration, each of the plurality of needles including a needle tip, each needle tip being orientated proximally towards the elongate body in the pre-deployed configuration, and a needle capture assembly disposed between a distal end of the elongate body and the handle, the needle capture assembly including two needle engaging edges longitudinally spaced with respect to each other, with each being configured to interlock with at least one of the plurality of needles.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongate member extending from a proximal end toward a distal end, the elongate member having a lumen with a longitudinal axis, a hub portion towards the proximal end of the elongate member and configured for a user to hold and manipulate a position of the elongate member, a base portion including a first groove and a second groove separated by an opening, and two wings disposed towards a distal end of the medical device, the two wings being opposite each other across the longitudinal axis and on opposite sides of the base portion, wherein, the two wings are configured to move in relation to the longitudinal axis and wherein each wing has an elongate slot having a closed first end at a location between the base portion and a peripheral end of the wing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a locator. The method includes inserting a tissue locator through an opening in a tissue wall, and advancing an engagement member to move a portion of the first arm from a first position to a second position that is separated from a longitudinal axis of the tissue locator by a greater distance than the first position.

Abstract: An introducer sheath is described. The introducer sheath may include a tubular body. The tubular body may extend from a distal end toward a proximal end. The tubular body may include a lumen. The lumen may at least partially be defined by a wall. A channel may be disposed within the wall. The channel may be configured to receive a guidewire. The tubular body may include an expandable portion expandable to increase a cross-sectional area of the lumen.

Abstract: An introducer sheath is described. The introducer sheath may include a tubular body. The tubular body may extend from a distal end toward a proximal end. The tubular body may include a lumen. The lumen may at least partially be defined by a wall. A channel may be disposed within the wall. The channel may be configured to receive a guidewire. The tubular body may include an expandable portion expandable to increase a cross-sectional area of the lumen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a locator. The method includes inserting a tissue locator through an opening in a tissue wall, and distally advancing a proximal member, positioned proximal a proximal end of a first arm of the tissue locator, to move a portion of the first arm from a first position to a second position that is separated from a longitudinal axis of the tissue locator by a greater distance than the first position.

Abstract: A suturing system including an elongate distal member and an elongate proximal member proximal the elongate distal member, the elongate proximal member having a lumen. A needle deployment actuator extends to the elongate distal member and is configured to initiate proximal movement of a needle toward an opening of the elongate proximal member. A guide is disposed within the elongate proximal member, a perimeter of the guide forming a plurality of needle receiving gaps that, when viewed in cross-section, are circumferentially spaced about the deployment actuator with a portion of the guide disposed between adjacent needle receiving gaps extending outwardly towards a wall of the lumen of the elongate proximal member.

Abstract: A suturing system including an elongate distal member, an elongate proximal member proximal the elongate distal member, and a needle guide disposed between the elongate distal member and the elongate proximal member. A plurality of needles with a needle tip of each needle of the plurality of needles are orientated generally proximally toward a single opening in a distal end of the elongate proximal member. When the needle tip of each of the plurality of needles is at least partially disposed within the single opening, a portion of each needle of the plurality of needles, proximal a distal end of the needle guide, being radially separated by a distance less than a diameter of the elongated proximal member.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongate member extending from a proximal end toward a distal end, the elongate member having a lumen with a longitudinal axis, a hub portion towards the proximal end of the elongate member and configured for a user to hold and manipulate a position of the elongate member, a base portion including a first groove and a second groove separated by an opening, and two wings disposed towards a distal end of the medical device, the two wings being opposite each other across the longitudinal axis and on opposite sides of the base portion, wherein, the two wings are configured to move in relation to the longitudinal axis and wherein each wing has an elongate slot having a closed first end at a location between the base portion and a peripheral end of the wing.

Abstract: An introducer sheath is described. The introducer sheath may include a tubular body. The tubular body may extend from a distal end toward a proximal end. The tubular body may include a lumen. The lumen may at least partially be defined by a wall. A channel may be disposed within the wall. The channel may be configured to receive a guidewire. The tubular body may include an expandable portion expandable to increase a cross-sectional area of the lumen.

Abstract: A suturing system including a sheath, a handle assembly proximal the sheath, an elongate body disposed between the sheath and the handle, a plurality of needles disposed distal the elongate body in a pre-deployed configuration and movable into the elongate body in a deployed configuration, each of the plurality of needles including a needle tip, each needle tip being orientated proximally towards the elongate body in the pre-deployed configuration, and a needle capture assembly disposed between a distal end of the elongate body and the handle, the needle capture assembly including two needle engaging edges longitudinally spaced with respect to each other, with each being configured to interlock with at least one of the plurality of needles.

Abstract: A suturing system is provided. In an embodiment, the suturing system includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end. A needle is disposed distal the sheath in a pre-deployed configuration with a needle tip of the needle being orientated proximally towards the sheath. A body is disposed within the sheath, the body comprising a guide reducing an outer cross-sectional dimension of the body at the guide and forming a space between the body and the sheath, the guide being configured to receive the needle and direct the needle proximally toward the proximal end of the sheath. A suture is attached to the needle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a locator. The method includes inserting a tissue locator through an opening in a tissue wall, and distally advancing a proximal member, positioned proximal a proximal end of a first arm of the tissue locator, to move a portion of the first arm from a first position to a second position that is separated from a longitudinal axis of the tissue locator by a greater distance than the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing an opening in a body tissue. The apparatus includes a shaft, a plurality of arms, and an expander. The arms each extend between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of each arm is hingedly attached to or integrally formed with the shaft. The arms are laterally spaced apart from each other. The arms are movable between a retracted configuration, in which the arms are each aligned along the shaft, and a deployed configuration, in which the proximal end of each arm pivots respectively about the distal end of the arm so as to extend laterally away from the shaft. The expander is positioned within the shaft, and movement of the expander causes the arms to move between the retracted and deployed configurations. Methods of using the apparatus are also included.

Abstract: An anchor assembly configured to locate and anchor body tissue surrounding an opening in the body tissue. The anchor assembly can include a plurality of anchor elements. Each anchor element can include an elongate portion and an anchor portion extending from the elongate portion. The elongate portion can be configured to be manipulated by a user. The anchor portion can have a contracted configuration capable of passing through the opening in the body tissue and can have an expanded configuration capable of anchoring the body tissue surrounding the opening. The anchor portion and the elongate portion can be integrally formed from a single wire.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided apparatuses and methods for using a medical instrument including a sizing and positioning adapter. The apparatus comprises an adapter for a medical instrument, the adapt having a body having a shim portion and an instrument holding portion adjacent the shim portion, wherein the shim portion provides an enlarged peripheral surface adjacent the medical instrument such that when the medical instrument is held in the instrument holding portion and the medical instrument and body are inserted through an opening in a patient tissue, at least a portion of the enlarged peripheral surface is in contact with at least a portion of the periphery of the opening in the patient tissue.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided apparatuses and methods for using a medical instrument including a sizing and positioning adapter. The apparatus comprises an adapter for a medical instrument, the adapt having a body having a shim portion and an instrument holding portion adjacent the shim portion, wherein the shim portion provides an enlarged peripheral surface adjacent the medical instrument such that when the medical instrument is held in the instrument holding portion and the medical instrument and body are inserted through an opening in a patient tissue, at least a portion of the enlarged peripheral surface is in contact with at least a portion of the periphery of the opening in the patient tissue.

Abstract: A suturing system including an elongate distal member, an elongate proximal member proximal the elongate distal member, and a needle guide disposed between the elongate distal member and the elongate proximal member. A plurality of needles with a needle tip of each needle of the plurality of needles are orientated generally proximally toward a single opening in a distal end of the elongate proximal member. When the needle tip of each of the plurality of needles is at least partially disposed within the single opening, a portion of each needle of the plurality of needles, proximal a distal end of the needle guide, being radially separated by a distance less than a diameter of the elongated proximal member.

Abstract: A needle removal device is provided for removing needles from suturing devices and/or systems. In an embodiment, the needle removal device may be intended for use with a suturing device having one or more needle lumens. The needle removal device may include a first member having a first plurality of needle receptacles extending therethrough. The first needle receptacles may be configured and positioned to correspond to one or more of the one or more needle lumens of the suturing device. The needle removal device may also include a second member having a second plurality of needle receptacles extending therethrough. At least one of the first member or the second member may be moveable between a first position, wherein the first needle receptacles and the second needle receptacles are substantially aligned, and a second position, wherein the first needle receptacles and the second needle receptacles substantially unaligned.