Abstract: A suturing kit includes a suture and a suture holder for holding the suture. The suture has a first end and a second, opposite, end. The suture holder includes an elongated wall defining a suture receiving passage that is elongated along a longitudinal axis and terminates at a suture exit opening. The suture receiving passage has a width at least twice the diameter of the suture and receives the suture such that the suture is folded over forming a half loop section spaced from the suture exit opening. A first second of the suture extends from the half loop section toward the first end and a second section of the suture extends from the half loop section towards the second end. The first section and the second section of the suture within the suture receiving passage are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a curved needle, a suture, an elongate body, an actuator and a curved needle holder. The suture connects with the curved needle. The actuator interacts with the elongate body and is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The curved needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The curved needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip. The curved needle holder includes an inner surface defining a needle passage for holding the needle and a distal opening. The curved needle has a curved needle radius and the curved needle passage has a curved needle passage radius that is different than the curved needle radius and the curved needle frictionally engages the inner surface when the needle is in a retracted position.

Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In general, the method involves advancing a spinal fixation element in a first, lengthwise orientation along a pathway extending from a minimally invasive percutaneous incision to a spinal anchor site. As the spinal fixation element approaches the spinal anchor site, the fixation element can be manipulated to extend in a second orientation, which is preferably substantially transverse to the first orientation, to position the fixation element in relation to one or more spinal anchors.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a curved needle, a suture, an elongate body, an actuator and a curved needle holder. The suture connects with the curved needle. The actuator interacts with the elongate body and is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The curved needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The curved needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip. The curved needle holder includes an inner surface defining a needle passage for holding the needle and a distal opening. The curved needle has a curved needle radius and the curved needle passage has a curved needle passage radius that is different than the curved needle radius and the curved needle frictionally engages the inner surface when the needle is in a retracted position.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a curved needle, a suture, an elongate body, an actuator and a curved needle holder. The suture connects with the curved needle. The actuator interacts with the elongate body and is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The curved needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The curved needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip. The curved needle holder includes an inner surface defining a needle passage for holding the needle and a distal opening. The curved needle has a curved needle radius and the curved needle passage has a curved needle passage radius that is different than the curved needle radius and the curved needle frictionally engages the inner surface when the needle is in a retracted position.

Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices are provided for positioning a spinal fixation element in relation to adjacent spinal anchors. In an exemplary embodiment, the device is a percutaneous access device that can be coupled to a spinal anchor, and the method includes the step of positioning a spinal fixation element through at least one sidewall opening of at least two percutaneous access devices such that the spinal fixation element extends in a lengthwise orientation that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of each percutaneous access device. The spinal fixation element can then be advanced in the lengthwise orientation to seat the spinal fixation element in or adjacent to the receiver heads of at least two adjacent spinal anchors. A fastening element or other closure mechanism can then be applied to each spinal anchor to engage the spinal fixation element within the receiver heads of the adjacent anchors.

Abstract: A suturing device includes an elongate body, an actuator, and a curved needle holder. The elongate body includes a distal end portion extending along a longitudinal axis. The actuator is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The curved needle holder extends away from the distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The curved needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip, and defines a curved needle passage and a distal opening adjacent the distal-most tip. A distance measured parallel with the longitudinal axis between where the curved needle holder begins to curve away from the longitudinal axis to either where the elongate body begins to curve away from the longitudinal axis or where the elongate body connects with a handle can be between about 10 cm to about 20 cm.

Abstract: A rongeur includes a lower member, a footplate, an upper member and an extension. The lower member is elongate along a first longitudinal axis. The footplate extends upwardly from a distal end portion of the lower member. The footplate includes a first cutting element that defines an apex spaced farthest upwardly from the first longitudinal axis. The upper member includes a second cutting element and is movable relative to the lower member. The extension is provided on the footplate and fixed to the footplate. The extension extends away from the first cutting element a maximum distance D1 measured upwardly from the apex and a maximum distance D2 measured laterally from the first cutting element and perpendicular to D1, where D1?D2, and when D1>0 the extension is laterally confined between opposite lateral sides of the footplate above the apex of the first cutting element in an upward direction.

Abstract: A suturing kit includes a double-armed suture, at least one suturing device and a suture holding structure. The double-armed suture has a first needle at a first end and a second needle at a second, opposite, end. The at least one suturing device includes a first needle holder configured to receive the first needle in a retracted position, a second needle holder configured to receive the second needle in a retracted position and at least one actuator configured to drive the first needle or the second needle in an advance direction toward a released condition. The suture holding structure holds at least a portion of the suture between the first end and the second end, and the suture holding structure is separate from the at least one suturing device so as not to be inserted into the patient during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a needle, a suture, an elongate body, an actuator and a needle holder. The suture connects with the needle. The needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip, and defines a needle passage for holding the needle and a distal opening. At least a portion of the suture extends through the distal opening when the needle is received in the needle passage and the actuator is in a first operating position. At least a portion of the suture extends along the needle passage toward the distal opening between the needle and an inner surface of the needle holder when the needle is received in the needle passage and the actuator is in the first operating position.

Abstract: A suturing kit includes a suture and a suture holder for holding the suture. The suture has a first end and a second, opposite, end. The suture holder includes an elongated wall defining a suture receiving passage that is elongated along a longitudinal axis and terminates at a suture exit opening. The suture receiving passage has a width at least twice the diameter of the suture and receives the suture such that the suture is folded over forming a half loop section spaced from the suture exit opening. A first second of the suture extends from the half loop section toward the first end and a second section of the suture extends from the half loop section towards the second end. The first section and the second section of the suture within the suture receiving passage are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a curved needle, a suture, an elongate body, an actuator and a curved needle holder. The suture connects with the curved needle. The actuator is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The curved needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The curved needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip. The curved needle holder defines a curved needle passage and a distal opening. Movement of the actuator from the first operating position toward the second operating position moves the curved needle with respect to the curved needle holder toward a released condition. The distal end section is configured to allow the curved needle to release from the curved needle holder at a location offset from the distal-most tip.

Abstract: A suturing device includes an elongate body, a needle holder, an actuator, a needle and a needle retainer. The needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip, and defines a needle passage and a distal opening adjacent the distal-most tip. The actuator is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. Movement of the actuator from the first operating position toward the second operating position moves the needle in an advance direction. The needle is in the needle passage. The needle retainer engages the needle holder and the needle when the actuator is in the first operating position and inhibits movement of the needle toward distal opening while the actuator is in the first operating position.

Abstract: A suturing device includes an elongate body, an actuator, a needle holder and a knot pusher. The elongate body includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The actuator interacts with the elongate body and is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The needle holder extends away from the distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body, and includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip. The needle holder defines a needle passage and a distal opening adjacent the distal-most tip. The knot pusher connects with and extends away from at least one of the elongate body and the needle holder.

Abstract: A suturing kit includes a suture and a suture holder for holding the suture. The suture has a first end and a second, opposite, end. The suture holder includes an elongated wall defining a suture receiving passage that is elongated along a longitudinal axis and terminates at a suture exit opening. The suture receiving passage has a width at least twice the diameter of the suture and receives the suture such that the suture is folded over forming a half loop section spaced from the suture exit opening. A first second of the suture extends from the half loop section toward the first end and a second section of the suture extends from the half loop section towards the second end. The first section and the second section of the suture within the suture receiving passage are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle, a cartridge configured to removably couple to the handle, an actuator movably coupled to the handle, and a lock operably coupled to the actuator. A first needle assembly and a second needle assembly of the cartridge are operably coupled to a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion, respectively, of the actuator when the cartridge is coupled to the handle. The first coupling portion is configured to transition the first needle assembly from a first configuration to a second configuration such that a first capture portion engages a first needle. The second coupling portion is configured to transition the second needle assembly from a first configuration to a second configuration such that a second capture portion engages the second needle. The lock is configured to selectively limit movement of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.

Abstract: A suturing device includes an elongate body, a needle holder, an actuator, a needle and a needle retainer. The needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip, and defines a needle passage and a distal opening adjacent the distal-most tip. The actuator is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. Movement of the actuator from the first operating position toward the second operating position moves the needle in an advance direction. The needle is in the needle passage. The needle retainer engages the needle holder and the needle when the actuator is in the first operating position and inhibits movement of the needle toward distal opening while the actuator is in the first operating position.

Abstract: A suturing device include a handle, an elongate body, an actuator, and a needle holder. The elongate body connects with the handle. The actuator interacts with the elongate body and is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The actuator includes a manually operated member including an operator contact surface. The needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip and defining a needle passage and a distal opening adjacent the distal-most tip. The needle passage is configured to receive at least a portion of an associated needle when the actuator is in the first operating position. The needle holder and the elongate body are rotatable with respect to the handle about a rotational axis.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a needle, a suture, an elongate body, an actuator and a curved needle holder. The needle has first end, which is pointed, a second end, a curved distal section and a straighter proximal section, which is straight or has a radius of curvature greater than the curved distal section. The suture connects with the needle. The actuator includes a mechanism operable to move the needle with respect to the elongate body. The curved needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The curved needle holder includes an inner surface defining a curved needle passage for holding the needle and a distal opening through which the needle exits the curved needle holder. The needle frictionally engages the inner surface when the needle is in a retracted position.

Abstract: A suturing device includes an elongate body, an actuator, a needle holder and a stabilizer. The elongate body includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The actuator interacts with the elongate body and is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The needle holder extends away from the distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The needle holder defines a needle passage and a distal opening. The stabilizer connects with the elongate body and is configured to engage an upper edge of an associated tubular retractor so as to limit movement of the elongate body with respect to the associated tubular retractor when the stabilizer is engaged with the tubular retractor.