Abstract: An apparatus for anulus fibrosus repair includes a shaft, a pair of curved suturing needles mounted in parallel on the shaft, and a rotational driving mechanism connected to the shaft, which is configured to rotate the shaft and the pair of needles about a rotation axis of the shaft. Each needle includes a substantially semi-annular body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner periphery, and an outer periphery, and an arm extending radially inward from the proximal end, in which a concavity is formed in the body proximate to the distal end extending in a direction away from it. Also disclosed is a suturing technique associated with use of the repair apparatus.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: Articulation joints for use in connection with a surgical instrument that has a portion that must be passed through a trocar or similar structure and then articulated relative to another portion of the instrument received within the trocar. Various embodiments of the articulation joint include at least one flexible driven member to articulate the surgical implement relative to the handle assembly of the instrument.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: A barbed suture includes a flexible thread having a core with a leading end, a trailing end, and a central axis. The barbed suture includes a first flexible flap connected to the core, the first flap extending between the leading and trailing ends of the core, and a second flexible flap connected to the core, the second flap extending between the leading and trailing ends of the core. The flexible flaps and the core have an S-shaped profile when viewed in cross-section. The barbed suture includes first and second slots formed in the respective first and second flaps for dividing the flaps into first and second barbs projecting from the core, whereby each slot extends outwardly from the core and rearwardly toward the trailing end of the core.

Abstract: A filter retrieval system for retrieving a previously implanted medical filter, and methods of using the retrieval system, are disclosed. The filter retrieval system has a flexible shaft, a retrieval element, and a handle with an actuator. The flexible shaft may be catheter-based, and has a proximal and a distal end, and has an opening near its distal end. The handle is affixed to the shaft near the proximal end of the shaft, and the actuator is adapted to manipulate the retrieval element to grasp or hook or otherwise engage a portion of the filter, and then pull the filter in through the opening into a passage or lumen of the catheter shaft. The retrieval system is capable of retrieving a filter in into a proximal and distal space defined by the flexible shaft, though only one space at a time.

Abstract: A minimally invasive method of implanting a prosthetic aortic valve includes forming a surgical site within a patient's chest that includes a first access port, a second access port, a viewing port and a delivery port. A camera is inserted into the viewing port. The native aortic valve leaflets may each be grasped and removed via tools inserted through the first and second access ports. The prosthetic aortic valve may be delivered through the delivery port to the valve annulus using a delivery device. The prosthetic aortic valve is implanted at the valve annulus and the delivery device is withdrawn. A surgeon may perform the remotely operated steps while viewing images provided by the camera.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device may include an elongate tubular member, an endosurgery stent disposed on the outer surface of the tubular member, a push tube slidably disposed along the outer surface of the tubular member, and a push member slidably disposed in a lumen formed in the tubular member. The push member may be coupled to the push tube.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides devices and methods for tensioning a length of suture. In one embodiment, a suture tensioning device is provided having a shaft and a suture grasping member. A knotting element can be removably coupled to a distal end of the shaft, and it can be adapted to receive a suture and to lock to engage the suture. The suture grasping member can be movably coupled to the shaft and configured to grasp a suture and pull it through the knotting element to allow the knotting element to lock and engage the suture.

Abstract: Drug eluting vascular closure devices and methods for closing a blood vessel puncture site disposed at a distal end of a tissue tract are described. The devices and methods rely on a combination of the body's own natural mechanism to achieve hemostasis with bio-chemical agents to accelerate the hemostatic process. One method includes the steps of introducing a closure device through the tissue tract and deploying an expansible member at a distal end of the device within the blood vessel to occlude the puncture site. A bio-chemical sealing member disposed proximal the expansible member is then displaced so as to expose a bio-chemical region or release region of the device. At least one bio-chemical agent is thereafter released from the device and into the tissue tract to accelerate the occlusion process in the tract.

Abstract: Suture clip appliers, suture clips and methods of their use for securing sutures during an endoscopic or laparoscopic procedure are provided, wherein the method includes the steps of providing a suture clip applier having a working tip configured to retain and fire a suture clip; providing a suture clip having a biased closed configuration; loading the suture clip into the working tip of the clip applier; translating the suture clip distally relative to the working tip to a first position wherein the suture clip is splayed open; inserting a suture into the opened suture clip; and translating the suture clip distally relative to the working tip such that the suture clip is ejected from the working tip and biased to the closed configuration to close on and to retain the suture.

Abstract: A self-piercing blind rivet is provided for apposing biological tissue together with a device for setting the same, especially through the instrumental channel of a flexible endoscope. Without the help of further instruments, it is possible to fix, approximate and appose tissue layers, the contact force while connecting the tissue layers being adjustable. The rivets are stored in the setting device, so that they can be applied in order. The rivet and setting device enable the surgeon to combine tissue discontinuities conveniently by means of an endoscope. The surgical procedure is simplified further because the rivets can remain in the body.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for adhering tissue to one another. In an embodiment of the present invention the two tissues to be joined, for example the lower esophagus and the fundus of the stomach, are first placed adjacent to one another. Next a first restraint is placed near the outside surface of one of the tissues and a second restraint is placed near the outside surface of the other tissue. An irritant is then placed between the two adjacent tissues. The restraints, and consequently the tissue surfaces, are then drawn together. As the touching irritated tissue surfaces heal they will become bonded to one another and their need for the mechanical fastening of the restraints, to secure them together, will be diminished.

Abstract: A tissue repair device includes a closed knotless loop of multifilament flexible material, and a fixation member having a structure that defines a cavity that receives at least a part of the closed loop. The tissue repair device may include a flexible member traversing the loop. The loop may include a portion in which ends of the multifilament flexible material are thermally fused together. The multifilament flexible material may be braided or twisted.

Abstract: A soft tissue repair implant includes a body having a base section and at least one appendage extending outwardly from the base section. The body is flexible such that the at least one appendage is movable relative to the base section. More particularly, the body is collapsible to a substantially planar configuration, in which the at least one appendage is positioned substantially co-planar relative to the base section. The body is also expandable to a substantially three-dimensional configuration, in which the at least one appendage extends at an angle from the base section. The body is constructed from a single, one-piece sheet such that the at least one appendage is connected to the base section seamlessly without any joint therebetween. A method for making the implant includes the steps of providing a flexible one-piece sheet, making a plurality of cuts in the sheet so as to form the body, and removing portions of the sheet beyond an outer periphery of the body.

Abstract: The present invention describes an implantable tissue lifting and fixation device. More particularly, the present invention describes a temporal brow lifting device comprised of a bio-absorbable supportive backing. The device has a shape of a curvilinear end and a tail end region. The curvilinear end region comprises a plurality of attachment points protruding from the supportive backing, and the tail region comprises of a plurality of cavities in order to secure the device at the desired elevated position in the deep temporal fascia. The plurality of attachment points distributes tension in a multi-vector direction over the contact area between the device and the tissue. The attachment points can be manufactured separately and attached, however, preferably, the attachment points are made integral with the temporal brow lifting device.

Abstract: A suture securing device includes a body with a distal end portion defining a suture receiving opening; a shaft and the body being assembled for relative reciprocal motion between a first position and a second position; and a tension coil spring operably attached to the body and operably attached adjacent a distal end portion of the shaft and disposed adjacent a suture receiving opening, When the body and shaft are in the first position, the tension coil spring is in a rest position, and when the body and/or the shaft are in the second position, the tension coil spring is in a tensioned position to form at least one gap therebetween to enable receipt of at least a portion of at least one suture.

Abstract: An intravascular filter can capture and eliminate emboli. In particular, an intravascular filter may include a plurality of filter legs extending from an apical head. The filter legs may be configured to capture emboli. A drug reservoir that includes or contains a therapeutic drug can be disposed near the apical head. The therapeutic drug, such as a thrombolytic or anti-coagulatory drug, may be eluted in response to a captured emboli.

Abstract: A stent with a stent locking element and a method of securing a stent on a delivery implement, such as a catheter are disclosed. The locking element can include coupling elements capable of being releasably coupled to one another. The coupling elements may be adapted to inhibit shifting of the stent on the delivery implement. In some embodiments, the releasably coupled elements may secure the stent on the delivery implement.

Abstract: A method for inserting a stitch through tissue around a hole in an abdominal muscle or a hollow organ includes: inserting into the hole a body assembly having penetration members that move from an in-line position to a deployed position, and a suture cartridge assembly secured to a forward end of the body assembly, the suture cartridge assembly having opposing arm members that move from an in-line position to a deployed position and each holding a capture sleeve to which an end of a suture cord is secured; simultaneously deploying the penetration members through the tissue around the hole and into the arm members such that the penetration members capture the capture sleeves; and simultaneously retracting the penetration members and the arm members such that the ends of the suture are retracted with the penetration members through the tissue around the hole and into the body assembly.