Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue using locking sutures. The locking sutures can be configured to receive suture ends that are interweaved through portions of the locking sutures. In a pre-deployment configuration, a locking suture can slide along suture tails and can be positioned at a target location within a target region. Once a desired position and/or tension is achieved, the locking suture can be transitioned to a post-deployment configuration where the locking suture constricts around the suture tails to inhibit relative movement between the suture tails and the locking suture. A visualization system can be used to provide visual feedback with respect to approximating the targeted tissue and the locking sutures.

Abstract: An introducer device includes a proximal hub including a first port and a second port, first and second fluid valves associated with the first port and the second port, respectively, a first elongate lumen projecting distally from the proximal hub, the first elongate lumen being in fluid communication with the first port, and a second elongate lumen projecting distally from the proximal hub, the second elongate lumen being in fluid communication with the second port and fluidly isolated from the first elongate lumen.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue using locking sutures. The locking sutures can be configured to receive suture ends that are interweaved through portions of the locking sutures. In a pre-deployment configuration, a locking suture can slide along suture tails and can be positioned at a target location within a target region. Once a desired position and/or tension is achieved, the locking suture can be transitioned to a post-deployment configuration where the locking suture constricts around the suture tails to inhibit relative movement between the suture tails and the locking suture.

Abstract: Described herein are cords (or sutures) and methods for using cords wherein the cords comprise a synthetic aromatic polyamide (or aramid) polymer, wherein the cords comprise a core of a high-strength material such as a polymer (e.g., PET), aramid, ceramic, or metal with a coating of ePTFE encapsulating the core, or wherein the cords comprise braided strands of ePTFE. The disclosed cords have higher strength and durability than typical ePTFE cords or sutures. Furthermore, disclosed herein are methods that utilize the disclosed cords in cardiac repairs, thereby resulting in repairs that are superior to repairs that utilize typical ePTFE cords.

Abstract: A delivery system comprises two or more needles including at least a first needle comprising a distal tip configured to pierce a valve leaflet of a heart, two or more leaflet anchors, each of the two or more leaflet anchors configured to be delivered via one of the two or more needles, and a shaft comprising a first interior lumen configured to slidably receive the two or more needles, the shaft having a first opening into the first interior lumen at a distal end of the shaft, the first opening configured to allow at least the first needle to exit the shaft.

Abstract: A suture system can comprise a first and a second curved double arm needle, and a needle docking device configured to maintain the first and the second curved double arm needles in alignment with and parallel to one another and at predetermined orientations relative to the needle docking device. The system can include a needle manipulating instrument having a distal portion configured to engage the first and the second curved double arm needles while the first and second curved double arm needles are in the needle docking device, and to maintain the needles in predetermined orientations.

Abstract: A surgical pad can comprise a flexible pad portion configured to be positioned over an opening in a target tissue. A plurality of elongate ribs can be distributed across a surface of the flexible pad portion oriented away from the target tissue and can be coupled to the flexible pad portion. A surgical pad can comprise a central opening configured to be aligned with an opening in a target tissue, and a plurality of edge openings distributed around an outer edge portion. A method can comprise positioning a spacer between a target tissue and a surgical pad to adjust the tension of surgical cords secured to surgical pad. A method can comprise positioning a spacer between a surface of a surgical pad oriented away from a target tissue and portions of surgical cords secured over the surface of the surgical pad, to adjust the tension of the surgical cords.

Abstract: A medical device shaft includes a rigid, elongate shaft, an end effector form coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft, and echogenic additives associated with at least one of the elongate shaft and the end effector. The shaft exhibits improved echogenicity, and is suitable for devices that are manipulated or positioned with under echo guidance.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for implanting grafts to leaflets for cardiac procedures that are performed minimally-invasively while the heart is beating. The graft elongates, reinforces, and patches the leaflet. In certain disclosed examples, the graft is secured to the atrium or ventricle side of the leaflet with an artificial cord implanted on an edge of the graft to improve coaptation. In some disclosed examples, the graft is secured to both leaflets to enable an edge-to-edge procedure similar to the Alfieri technique. Some examples of the disclosed methods including introducing the graft into the ventricle and guiding it into place using artificial cords previously implanted in the leaflet.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue using locking sutures. The locking sutures can be configured to receive suture ends that are interweaved through portions of the locking sutures. In a pre-deployment configuration, a locking suture can slide along suture tails and can be positioned at a target location within a target region. Once a desired position and/or tension is achieved, the locking suture can be transitioned to a post-deployment configuration where the locking suture constricts around the suture tails to inhibit relative movement between the suture tails and the locking suture.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue using locking sutures. The locking sutures can be configured to receive suture ends that are interweaved through portions of the locking sutures. In a pre-deployment configuration, a locking suture can slide along suture tails and can be positioned at a target location within a target region. Once a desired position and/or tension is achieved, the locking suture can be transitioned to a post-deployment configuration where the locking suture constricts around the suture tails to inhibit relative movement between the suture tails and the locking suture.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue using locking sutures. The locking sutures can be configured to receive suture ends that are interweaved through portions of the locking sutures. In a pre-deployment configuration, a locking suture can slide along suture tails and can be positioned at a target location within a target region. Once a desired position and/or tension is achieved, the locking suture can be transitioned to a post-deployment configuration where the locking suture constricts around the suture tails to inhibit relative movement between the suture tails and the locking suture.