Abstract: Suturing apparatuses can be configured to suture biological tissue, such as an anatomical valve. The suturing apparatuses can include a suturing device having an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, one or more tissue grasping arms, and a handle with actuators. The suturing device can further include at least two needles. One of the tissue grasping arms can have at least two suture mounts each loaded with a suture portion. The suture portions on the suture mounts can form a single suture strand. Methods for suturing bodily tissue may be performed with the suturing apparatuses. The tissue grasping arms can grasp tissue therebetween and at least two needles can be deployed toward the suture mounts, engage the suture portions, and be retracted through the tissue. A knot can be tied on the ends of the suture strand retrieved by the needles.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for closing a transapical opening (9) in a wall of the heart include utilizing a suturing device (100) that is advanced through the transapical opening (9), extending suture arms (110) from a retracted position to an extended position within a ventricle of the heart, extending needles (120) from a retracted position to an extended position through the wall of the heart to engage a plurality of suture portions (52) held by the suture arms (110), retracting the needles through the wall of the heart to draw the suture portions through the wall of the heart, retracting the suture arms, withdrawing the suturing device from the transapical opening, and closing the transapical opening with the suture portions (52). The needles (120) can be deployed from within the transapical opening (9) at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the suturing device or through the exterior wall of the heart parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suturing device.

Abstract: A minimally invasive device and method for suturing papillary muscles includes drawing a suture through a first papillary muscle using a needle, drawing the suture through a second papillary muscle, and tightening the suture to move at least one of the first papillary muscle and the second papillary muscle towards the other of the first papillary muscle and the second papillary muscle.

Abstract: Constriction valves for catheters and method of using constriction valves are presented. The catheter valve has a conduit comprising mesh defining a lumen. The catheter also has a biasing member that is configured to bias the lumen from an open position to a closed position by altering an effective length of the conduit or altering the circumference of the conduit. The biasing member is further configured to change its configuration by changes of intraluminal pressure of the valve. A user can insert a tool into a catheter having a valve by manipulating the valve to expand a substantially closed lumen by compressing the biasing member, twisting the biasing member, or pulling on a cord coupled with the valve.

Abstract: Suturing devices and systems used to close openings into a biological structure. The suturing device can comprise an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. One or more sheaths may be used with the device to maintain or substantially maintain haemostasis while the device is used and while a procedure is performed in the biological structure.

Abstract: A suturing device uses an inflatable balloon coupled to multiple arms and needles to place sutures at appropriate positions. In preferred embodiments the suturing device includes an elongated body having a working end, a controlling end, and a lumen. The elongated body is coupled to an arm having a distal end with a needle target, which is used to place a suture in an appropriate position relative to the aperture. An inflatable balloon is positioned in an area enclosed by the arm, such that inflating the balloon physically moves a needle towards the needle target.

Abstract: Suturing apparatuses configured to suture biological tissue, such as an anatomical valve. The suturing apparatuses can comprise an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. A protective member may be used to inhibit contact between a distal end of a needle and surrounding tissue. Methods for suturing bodily tissue such as an anatomical valve may be performed with the suturing apparatuses. The suturing apparatuses may be used to suture adjacent valve leaflets or the base of a valve in order to treat or repair the valve.

Abstract: Suturing apparatuses configured to suture biological tissue, such as an anatomical valve. The suturing apparatuses can comprise an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. A protective member may be used to inhibit contact between a distal end of a needle and surrounding tissue. Methods for suturing bodily tissue such as an anatomical valve may be performed with the suturing apparatuses. The suturing apparatuses may be used to suture adjacent valve leaflets or the base of a valve in order to treat or repair the valve.

Abstract: Suturing devices and systems used to close openings into a biological structure. The suturing device can comprise an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. One or more sheaths may be used with the device to maintain or substantially maintain haemostasis while the device is used and while a procedure is performed in the biological structure.

Abstract: A suturing device, and methods for suturing various sizes of apertures in tissues, are presented. The suturing device has a body with at least one or more adjustable arms that are coupled with catch targets. The arms are coupled with needle guides such that movements of the arms orient the needle guides to direct the needles towards the catch targets. The catch targets are coupled with sutures, such that when the needles reach the targets, they capture and pull the sutures back to the body. By changing the angles at which the arms extend from the body, the catch targets are moved closer to, or farther from, the body, and the suture device is readily configured to suture various sizes of apertures.

Abstract: Constriction valves for catheters and method of using constriction valves are presented. The catheter valve has a conduit defining a lumen. The catheter also has a spring that is configured to bias the lumen from an open position to a closed position by altering an effective length of the conduit or altering the circumference of the conduit. The spring is further configured to change its configuration by changes of intraluminal pressure of the valve. A user can insert a tool into a catheter having a valve by manipulating the valve to expand a substantially closed lumen by compressing the spring, twisting the spring, or pulling on a cord coupled with the valve.

Abstract: Suturing devices and systems used to close openings into a biological structure. The suturing device can comprise an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. One or more sheaths may be used with the device to maintain or substantially maintain haemostasis while the device is used and while a procedure is performed in the biological structure.

Abstract: A suturing instrument using a curved needle is presented. The suturing instrument includes an elongated body, which has a lumen at its distal end. The suturing device also includes a curved needle which has a hook at its distal end to capture a suture from a suture staging area coupled with the suture. The rotational movement of the curved needle can be operated by a linear movement of a controlling element via a compound pivots that are configured to move the needles out from the lumen, couple the needle to the suture, and pull the suture away back toward the lumen.

Abstract: Suturing apparatuses configured to suture biological tissue, such as an anatomical valve, can include an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. A protective member may be used to inhibit contact between a distal end of a needle and surrounding tissue. Methods for suturing bodily tissue such as an anatomical valve may be performed with the suturing apparatuses. The suturing apparatuses may be used to suture adjacent valve leaflets or the base of a valve in order to treat or repair the valve.

Abstract: A suturing device, and methods for suturing various sizes of apertures in tissues, are presented. The suturing device has a body with at least one or more adjustable arms that are coupled with catch targets. The arms are coupled with needle guides such that movements of the arms orient the needle guides to direct the needles towards the catch targets. The catch targets are coupled with sutures, such that when the needles reach the targets, they capture and pull the sutures back to the body. By changing the angles at which the arms extend from the body, the catch targets are moved closer to, or farther from, the body, and the suture device is readily configured to suture various sizes of apertures.

Abstract: Suturing apparatuses configured to suture biological tissue, such as an anatomical valve. The suturing apparatuses can comprise an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. A protective member may be used to inhibit contact between a distal end of a needle and surrounding tissue. Methods for suturing bodily tissue such as an anatomical valve may be performed with the suturing apparatuses. The suturing apparatuses may be used to suture adjacent valve leaflets or the base of a valve in order to treat or repair the valve.