Abstract: A suturing device for minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The suturing device has a head defining one or more ferrule holders and a tissue bite area. The device also has a first needle comprising a flywheel portion and one or more curved arms extending from the flywheel portion, each of the one or more curved arms comprising a ferrule engaging tip, wherein the first needle is pivotably coupled to the head. The suturing device further has a first actuator coupled to the first needle and configured to rotate it from a retracted position, where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms starts away from the one or more ferrule holders, through the tissue bite area, and to an engaged position where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms is operationally aligned with the one or more ferrule holders.

Abstract: A loader for a surgical suturing instrument is disclosed. The loader has a head having a protrusion configured to be releasably held by a tissue bite area of a surgical suturing instrument. The loader also has a tube interface. The loader further has one or more ferrule holders. The loader also has one or more ferrules, each corresponding to and held by one of the one or more ferrule holders and coupled to a suture end that leads from a tube releasably held by the tube interface.

Abstract: A suture placement system is disclosed. The suture placement system has a plate defining a first opening spaced from a second opening. The suture placement system also has a first lumen having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the first lumen is coupled to the first opening. The suture placement system further has a second lumen having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the second lumen is coupled to the second opening. The suture placement system also has a guide coupled to the plate. A method of minimally invasive suture placement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A suturing device for minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The suturing device has a head defining one or more ferrule holders and a tissue bite area. The device also has a first needle comprising a flywheel portion and one or more curved arms extending from the flywheel portion, each of the one or more curved arms comprising a ferrule engaging tip, wherein the first needle is pivotably coupled to the head. The suturing device further has a first actuator coupled to the first needle and configured to rotate it from a retracted position, where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms starts away from the one or more ferrule holders, through the tissue bite area, and to an engaged position where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms is operationally aligned with the one or more ferrule holders.

Abstract: A prosthetic suturing device is disclosed. The prosthetic suturing device has a guide tip defining a cuff receiving area. The device also has a guide tip having at least one needle guide configured to guide at least one needle through the cuff receiving area. Another prosthetic suturing device is disclosed. The prosthetic suturing device has a guide tip defining a cuff receiving area and comprising first and second apertures for receiving a suture adapter. The prosthetic suturing device also has first and second needles, each needle having an end configured to engage a suture adapter. The prosthetic suturing device further has at least one set of needle guides configured to guide the first and second needles through the cuff receiving area. The prosthetic suturing device also has a grip pointing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the cuff receiving area.

Abstract: A device for cardiac surgery is disclosed. The device for cardiac surgery includes an aortic root retractor frame, an introducer, and one or more suture locking apparatuses. The device for cardiac surgery also includes an actuator for releasing the aortic root retractor frame, as well as a deployment mechanism for fully expanding the aortic root retractor frame. Multiple suture locking apparatuses used for releasable locking and unlocking of suture during a cardiac surgery procedure may be included in the device for cardiac surgery.

Abstract: An automated suturing adapter is disclosed. The automated suturing adapter has a target and a snare loop supported by the target. The automated suturing adapter also has a ferrule and a snare extension between the snare loop and the ferrule. An assembly is also disclosed. The assembly includes a cassette. The cassette has a housing defining a suturing gap. The cassette also has a needle stored in the housing proximal to the suturing gap. The cassette further has a ferrule holder distal to the suturing gap. The assembly also includes a target and a snare loop supported by the target. The assembly further includes a ferrule held in the ferrule holder and a snare extension between the snare loop and the ferrule.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing separate loops of suture with a coaxial mechanical fastener. Separate loops of suture extend from opposite ends of the mechanical fastener. A wire snare facilitates pulling the suture through the fastener. A suturing instrument provides for the infusion of pressurized physiologic solutions into the left ventricle so that the proper replacement suture length can be demonstrated real time prior to crimping the fastener. The instrument incorporates a slotted release site so that the fastener and suture can be released from the device tip once the fastener is secured. A method of securing suture coming from cardiac valve leaflets and or other structures like papillary muscles permits a more atraumatic orientation of the fastener coaxial with the suture strands.

Abstract: A suturing device for minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The suturing device has a head defining one or more ferrule holders and a tissue bite area. The device also has a first needle comprising a flywheel portion and one or more curved arms extending from the flywheel portion, each of the one or more curved arms comprising a ferrule engaging tip, wherein the first needle is pivotably coupled to the head. The suturing device further has a first actuator coupled to the first needle and configured to rotate it from a retracted position, where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms starts away from the one or more ferrule holders, through the tissue bite area, and to an engaged position where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms is operationally aligned with the one or more ferrule holders.

Abstract: A rack and an apparatus for suture management are disclosed. The apparatus for suture management includes one or more racks, each rack including a plurality of cassette locations, each cassette location having an inside suture holder, an outside suture holder, and a cassette receiver. The apparatus for suture management also includes a plurality of suture grooves. The apparatus for suture management further includes a plurality of rack connection points. The apparatus for suture management also includes an attachment feature which may accept another surgical tool or mounting adapter.

Abstract: A surgical port is disclosed. The surgical port has a cannular channel. The surgical port also has one or more suture slots in communication with the cannular channel. The surgical port further has a pair of cam grips for each of the one or more suture slots, each pair of cam grips comprising opposing gripping arms configured to allow suture to be pulled through the opposing gripping arms in a direction away from the cannular channel and to resist suture movement in a direction towards the cannular channel.

Abstract: A rotation adapter for a minimally invasive surgical apparatus is disclosed. The rotation adapter has a proximal journal and a distal journal. The rotation adapter also has a rotation index coupled between the proximal and distal journals. The rotation adapter further has an actuator input and an effector output. A rotation adapter receiver for a minimally invasive surgical apparatus is also disclosed. The rotation adapter receiver has opposing beams and a proximal bushing coupled between the opposing beams. The rotation adapter receiver also has a distal bushing coupled between the opposing beams. The rotation adapter receiver further has a rotation constraint coupled between the opposing beams and positioned between the proximal and distal bushings.

Abstract: A surgical equipment holder is disclosed. The surgical equipment holder includes a first arm pivotable relative to a base, a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm and an end effector pivotable relative to the second arm. The surgical equipment holder also includes a lever configured to actuate between a locked and unlocked position by use of a single hand by an operator. The end effector of the surgical equipment holder is configured to support and finely adjust the position of any number of surgical accessories during surgical procedures.

Abstract: A surgical procedure kit is disclosed. The surgical procedure kit includes a base, an expansion panel, a first tent panel, and a second tent panel. The kit includes a base with at least one receptacle configured to releasably hold at least one surgical device, an expansion panel with a first edge pivotably coupled to a first edge of the base, and at least one receptacle configured to releasably hold at least one surgical device. The surgical procedure kit also includes a first tent panel having a first edge pivotably coupled to a second edge of the expansion panel, and also includes at least one receptacle configured to releasably hold at least one surgical device, and a second tent panel with a first edge pivotably coupled to a second edge of the first tent panel, and also has at least one receptacle configured to releasably hold at least one surgical device.

Abstract: A cardiac retractor is disclosed. The cardiac retractor has an outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has a fixed collar fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the outer tube. The cardiac retractor further has a fixed link fixedly coupled to a distal end of the outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has an inner tube rotatable within the outer tube. The cardiac retractor further has a fixed key coupled to a proximal end of the inner tube and configured to rotate the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has a keyed link coupled to a distal end of the outer tube.

Abstract: A prosthetic suturing device is disclosed. The prosthetic suturing device has a housing and a needle press slideably engaged with the housing. The prosthetic suturing device also has a plurality of needles coupled to the needle press. The prosthetic suturing device further has a prosthetic retainer. The prosthetic suturing device also has a ferrule platen having a plurality of ferrule holders, each corresponding to one of the plurality of needles. The prosthetic suturing device further has an actuator configured to move the needle press from a retracted position where needle tips of the plurality of needles are away from the ferrule platen to an engaged position where the needle tips of the plurality of needles are at least partially within the ferrule holders of the ferrule platen.

Abstract: A suturing device for minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The suturing device has a head defining one or more ferrule holders and a tissue bite area. The device also has a first needle comprising a flywheel portion and one or more curved arms extending from the flywheel portion, each of the one or more curved arms comprising a ferrule engaging tip, wherein the first needle is pivotably coupled to the head. The suturing device further has a first actuator coupled to the first needle and configured to rotate it from a retracted position, where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms starts away from the one or more ferrule holders, through the tissue bite area, and to an engaged position where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms is operationally aligned with the one or more ferrule holders.