Abstract: A suture fastener delivery device includes a handle, a fastener delivery end comprising a suture fastener and crimping jaws, and a shaft extending between the handle and the fastener delivery end. The shaft comprises a rail, a plurality of reserve suture fasteners, a side suture slot positioned on a side of the shaft to allow the suture ends to exit the delivery device, and a suture cutting blade adjacent to the rail. The suture fastener delivery device can capture a suture within a side slot of the suture device, and upon activation of a trigger on the handle, crimp and bend the suture fastener to secure the fastener, and cut the excess suture ends via the cutting blade. A slider on the handle can then be used to reload a reserve suture fastener, such that additional fasteners can be deployed without removal of the delivery device from the surgical site.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery of a radially expandable device to an implantation site in a patient, the delivery system including an elongated tubular member comprising a distal tip and an outer surface, first and second balloon portions spaced proximally from each other and the distal tip along a length of the tubular member, an annular space between the first and second balloon portions, a plurality of clip deployment tubes extendably moveable relative to the outer surface of the tubular member, and a plurality of clips, wherein each clip is moveable within a length of one of the clip deployment tubes between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery of a radially expandable device to an implantation site in a patient, the delivery system including an elongated tubular member comprising a distal tip and an outer surface, first and second balloon portions spaced proximally from each other and the distal tip along a length of the tubular member, an annular space between the first and second balloon portions, a plurality of clip deployment tubes extendably moveable relative to the outer surface of the tubular member, and a plurality of clips, wherein each clip is moveable within a length of one of the clip deployment tubes between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery of a radially expandable device to an implantation site in a patient, the delivery system including an elongated tubular member comprising a distal tip and an outer surface, first and second balloon portions spaced proximally from each other and the distal tip along a length of the tubular member, an annular space between the first and second balloon portions, a plurality of clip deployment tubes extendably moveable relative to the outer surface of the tubular member, and a plurality of clips, wherein each clip is moveable within a length of one of the clip deployment tubes between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery of a radially expandable device to an implantation site in a patient, the delivery system including an elongated tubular member comprising a distal tip and an outer surface, first and second balloon portions spaced proximally from each other and the distal tip along a length of the tubular member, an annular space between the first and second balloon portions, a plurality of clip deployment tubes extendably moveable relative to the outer surface of the tubular member, and a plurality of clips, wherein each clip is moveable within a length of one of the clip deployment tubes between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery of a radially expandable device to an implantation site in a patient, the delivery system including an elongated tubular member comprising a distal tip and an outer surface, first and second balloon portions spaced proximally from each other and the distal tip along a length of the tubular member, an annular space between the first and second balloon portions, a plurality of clip deployment tubes extendably moveable relative to the outer surface of the tubular member, and a plurality of clips, wherein each clip is moveable within a length of one of the clip deployment tubes between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A method for closing an opening at a target site including bodily tissue including embedding a plurality of self-closing clips into the target site in a spaced apart manner about a perimeter of the opening. Each of the clips has opposing clip ends and an intermediate segment. A flexible tether is coupled to the embedded clips to form a loop about the opening perimeter. A pulling force is applied onto at least one of the loop ends, thereby drawing the perimeter of the opening onto itself to completely close the opening. The loop ends are secured to maintain the target site in a closed state. In some embodiments, the target site is apical cardiac tissue, and the method is performed as part of a trans-apical access procedure.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery of a radially expandable device to an implantation site in a patient, the delivery system including an elongated tubular member comprising a distal tip and an outer surface, first and second balloon portions spaced proximally from each other and the distal tip along a length of the tubular member, an annular space between the first and second balloon portions, a plurality of clip deployment tubes extendably moveable relative to the outer surface of the tubular member, and a plurality of clips, wherein each clip is moveable within a length of one of the clip deployment tubes between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: Device, system and method for drawing together patient tissue. A central hub has an axis. Several tines are coupled to the central hub. Each of the tines has a tip and is resiliently biased to form a coil. Each tip points radially outward from the axis, with an approximately common angle between adjacent ones of the tines.

Abstract: An endovascular stapling apparatus for delivering a staple to a vessel of a patient, including a plurality of clips, a housing, and a rod. Each of the clips includes a bridge and legs that self-transition from a biased state to a natural state in which the legs each form a loop. The housing defines a channel and a window open to the channel. The clips are retained within the channel in the biased state. The rod is slidably disposed within the channel, selectively moves the clips toward and away from the window, and releases the clips from the window.

Abstract: A method for closing an opening at a target site including bodily tissue including embedding a plurality of self-closing clips into the target site in a spaced apart manner about a perimeter of the opening. Each of the clips has opposing clip ends and an intermediate segment. A flexible tether is coupled to the embedded clips to form a loop about the opening perimeter. A pulling force is applied onto at least one of the loop ends, thereby drawing the perimeter of the opening onto itself to completely close the opening. The loop ends are secured to maintain the target site in a closed state. In some embodiments, the target site is apical cardiac tissue, and the method is performed as part of a trans-apical access procedure.

Abstract: Device, system and method for drawing together patient tissue. A central hub has an axis. Several tines are coupled to the central hub. Each of the tines has a tip and is resiliently biased to for a coil. Each tip points radially outward from the axis, with an approximately common angle between adjacent ones of the tines.

Abstract: Device, system and method for drawing together patient tissue. A bridge segment has an axis and a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A first tine is coupled to the first end and projects from the bridge segment in a first direction orthogonal to the bridge segment. A second tine is coupled to the first end and projects from the bridge segment in a second direction approximately opposite the first direction. A third tine is coupled to the second end and projects from the bridge segment approximately in the first direction. A fourth tine is coupled to the second end and projects from the bridge segment approximately in the second direction. The first, second, third and fourth tines are each resiliently biased to form a coil approximately parallel to a plane orthogonal to the axis of the bridge segment.

Abstract: An endovascular stapling apparatus for delivering a staple to a vessel of a patient, including a plurality of clips, a housing, and a rod. Each of the clips includes a bridge and legs that self-transition from a biased state to a natural state in which the legs each form a loop. The housing defines a channel and a window open to the channel. The clips are retained within the channel in the biased state. The rod is slidably disposed within the channel, selectively moves the clips toward and away from the window, and releases the clips from the window.

Abstract: An endostapler delivery system includes a biasing mechanism to offset or counter forces generated by a stapling device and therefore prevent the stapling device from moving during the firing of the staple. The delivery system includes a catheter having at least one lumen extending there through for receiving the stapling device. The biasing mechanism is an expandable biasing cage having a dome or semi-circular expanded shape provided at the distal portion of the catheter. When expanded, the biasing cage does not block or occlude a vessel, thereby allowing blood flow to continue during the stapling procedure. The endostapler delivery system further includes a steering wire that can be used to bend the catheter shaft.

Abstract: An endostapler delivery system includes a biasing mechanism to offset or counter forces generated by a stapling device and therefore prevent the stapling device from moving during the firing of the staple. The delivery system includes a catheter having at least one lumen extending there through for receiving the stapling device. The biasing mechanism is an expandable biasing cage having a dome or semi-circular expanded shape provided at the distal portion of the catheter. When expanded, the biasing cage does not block or occlude a vessel, thereby allowing blood flow to continue during the stapling procedure. The biasing cage may include a plurality of ribbons or strands that extend generally parallel to the blood flow when expanded in situ, a mesh or braided structure, or a plurality of ribbons or strands that extend generally parallel to the blood flow when expanded in situ and a mesh or braided structure placed over the plurality of ribbons.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for guiding the position of a medical device to a desired location includes an outer sleeve, a tether, and at least one elastic anchor hook engaged with the tether. The tether may be slideably moveable within the outer sleeve. Additionally, the anchor hook is configured to anchor into bone at the desired location. In certain embodiments, the anchor hook is elastically deformable from an unstressed curved shape to a deformed straightened shape. The anchor hook may be deformed to the straightened shape when positioned within the outer sleeve and may reform to the curved shape upon deployment from the outer sleeve. In certain embodiments, a rod surrounds part of the tether and is used for threading through medical devices to advance the medical devices to the desired location. Additionally, a deployment button may be used to deploy the anchor hooks from the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a body tissue in situ (e.g., an atrial tissue of a heart to treat) atrial fibrillation include a lesion formation tool is positioned against the heart surface. The lesion formation tool includes a guide member having a tissue-opposing surface for placement against a heart surface. An ablation member is coupled to the guide member to move in a longitudinal path relative to the guide member. The ablation member has an ablation element for directing ablation energy in an emitting direction away from the tissue-opposing surface. The guide member may be flexible to adjust a shape of the guide member for the longitudinal path to approximate the desired ablation path while maintaining the tissue-opposing surface against the heart surface. In one embodiment, the ablation member includes at least one radiation-emitting member disposed to travel in the longitudinal pathway.