Abstract: A surgical snare assembly is disclosed. The surgical snare assembly has a suture fastener having an entrance and an exit. The surgical snare assembly also has first and second suture engaging loops. The surgical snare assembly further has first and second handles configured such that: a) movement of the first handle a first distance away from the suture fastener causes the first suture engaging loop to move through the suture fastener from the exit to the entrance; and b) movement of the second handle a second distance away from the suture fastener causes the second suture engaging loop to move through the suture fastener from the entrance to the exit.

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 surgical suturing device is disclosed. The surgical suturing device may include a first or a second tissue gap, a first pair of needles configured to be movable across the first tissue gap, a second pair of needles configured to be movable across the second tissue gap, and a first suture having first and second ends. The surgical suturing device also includes a second suture having first and second ends and a needle actuator which selectively engages either: the first pair of needles to drive them through the first tissue gap and into communication with the first end of the first suture and the first end of the second suture, respectively; or the second pair of needles to drive them through the second tissue gap and into communication with the second end of the first suture and the second end of the second suture.

Abstract: The torque enhancing apparatus including a first socket and a second socket coupled to the first socket, including an extendable moment arm. The torque enhancing apparatus includes a ball pivotably and captively held between the first socket and the second socket. The torque enhancing apparatus may include one or more extendable moment arms. The extendable moment arm or arms are configured such that they provide a mechanical advantage for moving the first socket and the second socket relative to one another. The torque enhancing apparatus may include a first socket, a second socket coupled to the first socket including four extendable moment arms. The torque enhancing apparatus including a ball pivotably held between the first socket and the second socket.

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: An optical attachment for surgical loupe glasses is disclosed. The optical attachment for surgical loupe glasses includes a visor sized to cover at least a portion of a first carrier lens of the surgical loupe glasses. The optical attachment also includes at least one loupe orienting feature defined by the visor.

Abstract: A percutaneous sub-xiphoid lifting device is disclosed. Also disclosed is a percutaneous sub-xiphoid lifting device including a beam assembly and a lifting assembly. The percutaneous sub-xiphoid lifting device includes a pair of beams, pivotably coupled at a distal end and configured to be releasably attached to the lifter block coupled to a handle. The percutaneous sub-xiphoid lifting device may further include a light source used for improved visualization. A method of using the percutaneous sub-xiphoid lifting device for increasing space beneath the sternum during a minimally invasive surgical procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A length indicator for use with a minimally invasive surgical device for vessel harvesting includes a shaft that extends along a shaft axis, and a tether is disposed at a first end of the shaft, the tether being configured to be coupled to the minimally invasive surgical device. A plurality of reference tabs extend from the shaft, and each of the plurality of reference tabs extend along a tab axis. A first distance along the shaft axis separates a tab axis of a first of the plurality of reference tabs and a tab axis of a second of the plurality of reference tabs, and a second distance along the shaft axis separates the tab axis of the second of the plurality of reference tabs and a tab axis of a third of the plurality of reference tabs, with the first distance being equal to the second distance.

Abstract: A device for suture management and tensioning is disclosed. The device for suture tensioning may include a housing having multiple suture channels, a cleat array, several indicator biasing elements, and an actuator movable between an unlocked position, a tensioned position, and a locked position. The cleat array in the device for suture tensioning may also include at least one first cleat movable relative to the housing and colinear with a second cleat fixedly attached to the housing. The device for suture tensioning may also include an indicator biasing element which is colinear with each cleat pair.

Abstract: A suture security device is disclosed. The suture security device also includes a latch, a plate, and an actuator coupled to the latch and operable to move the latch away from the plate. The suture security device may also include a first latch array, a second latch array, a plurality of plates, a first actuator coupled to the first latch array and operable to move the first latch array away from the plurality of plates, and a second actuator coupled to the second latch array and operable to move the second latch array away from the plurality of plates.

Abstract: An instrument for crimping one or more suture fasteners to one or more corresponding surgical sutures is disclosed. The instrument also includes at least one shaft having one or more receiving faces, one or more anvils, one or more hammers, one or more pushers moveable in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft and configured to engage at least one of the hammer and the anvil for urging the hammer and the anvil together; and a loading tool. The loading tool may also include a target cover defining one or more snare guides, a target tray coupled to the target cover, one or more suture fasteners, one or more snare loops, and at least one handle.

Abstract: A surgical snare assembly is disclosed. The surgical snare assembly has a suture fastener having an entrance and an exit. The surgical snare assembly also has first and second suture engaging loops. The surgical snare assembly further has first and second handles configured such that: a) movement of the first handle a first distance away from the suture fastener causes the first suture engaging loop to move through the suture fastener from the exit to the entrance; and b) movement of the second handle a second distance away from the suture fastener causes the second suture engaging loop to move through the suture fastener from the entrance to the exit.

Abstract: A minimally invasive suturing device is disclosed. The minimally invasive suturing device has a shaft and a distal tip. The minimally invasive suturing device also has a flexible span coupling the distal tip to the shaft. The flexible span has an angling link, a plurality of bending links, and an end link.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device is disclosed. The surgical suturing device may include a first or a second tissue gap, a first pair of needles configured to be movable across the first tissue gap, a second pair of needles configured to be movable across the second tissue gap, and a first suture having first and second ends. The surgical suturing device also includes a second suture having first and second ends and a needle actuator which selectively engages either: the first pair of needles to drive them through the first tissue gap and into communication with the first end of the first suture and the first end of the second suture, respectively; or the second pair of needles to drive them through the second tissue gap and into communication with the second end of the first suture and the second end of the second suture.

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 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: 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 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.