Abstract: The present invention relates to tissue approximation and fixation, and surgical staples and staple placement devices for surgery and the like. The present invention includes surgical staples having solid first and second legs for anchoring into respective tissue portions, and an elastically deformable bridge monolithically formed with the first leg and the second leg, the legs each forming respective angles greater than 90 degrees with respective portions of said elastically deformable bridge. The present invention also includes staple insertion device comprising a handle portion and substantially parallel insertion portions extending from the handle, the insertion portions each having an interior lateral channel, and each insertion portions having a terminal point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tissue approximation and fixation, and surgical staples and staple placement devices for surgery. The present invention includes surgical staples having solid first and second legs for anchoring into respective tissue portions, and an elastically deformable bridge monolithically formed with the first leg and the second leg, the legs each forming respective angles greater than 90 degrees with respective portions of said elastically deformable bridge. The present invention also includes staple insertion device comprising a handle portion and substantially parallel insertion portions extending from the handle, the insertion portions each having an interior lateral channel, and each insertion portions having a terminal point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tissue approximation and fixation, and surgical staples and staple placement devices for surgery and the like. The present invention includes surgical staples having solid first and second legs for anchoring into respective tissue portions, and an elastically deformable bridge monolithically formed with the first leg and the second leg, the legs each forming respective angles greater than 90 degrees with respective portions of said elastically deformable bridge. The present invention also includes staple insertion device comprising a handle portion and substantially parallel insertion portions extending from the handle, the insertion portions each having an interior lateral channel, and each insertion portions having a terminal point.

Abstract: The present invention includes a suture adapted to be anchored into tissue, the suture comprising a length of an elongate flexible suture material and a plurality of barbed anchor articles slidingly disposed along a length of the suture material. The invention also includes a suture placement device designed to insert the anchors of the suture articles into opposing tissue surfaces and associated methods for approximating and/or affixing opposed tissue surfaces in surgical procedures and the like.

Abstract: The present invention includes a suture article and a suture placement device adapted to insert into opposing tissue surfaces the anchors of a suture article having anchors on its terminal ends, the device comprising in general terms: (a) an optional handle portion; (b) an insertion portion extending from the handle having a distal end comprising anchor-directing portions that diverge from one another so as to form a V-shape, adapted to releasably engage the anchors; and (c) a hollow cinching cannula/suture conduit slidingly engaged by the handle portion so as to be moveable between a position relatively nearer the handle and a position relatively nearer the insertion portion distal end.

Abstract: The present invention includes a braided suture article adapted to be inserted through or into a tissue so as be able to exert a force on that tissue, the braided suture material adapted to be moved from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration forming at least two loops extending substantially perpendicular to its threaded length and having a relatively rigid terminal end length that extends substantially perpendicular to the threaded length. The present invention further includes a suture placement device adapted to insert a length of suture material into or through a tissue to a space beyond a rear surface of said tissue so as to maintain said length of suture material, and a method of placing an expanding suture knot into a tissue.

Abstract: The present invention includes a suture article and a suture placement device adapted to insert into opposing tissue surfaces the anchors of a suture article having anchors on its terminal ends, the device comprising in general terms: (a) an optional handle portion; (b) an insertion portion extending from the handle having a distal end comprising anchor-directing portions that diverge from one another so as to form a V-shape, adapted to releasably engage the anchors; and (c) a hollow cinching cannula/suture conduit slidingly engaged by the handle portion so as to be moveable between a position relatively nearer the handle and a position relatively nearer the insertion portion distal end.