Abstract: A method of creating a drug eluting system for hernia repair in a patient is provided. The includes providing an implantable mesh for hernia repair comprised of at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene fibers or polytetrafluoroethylene filaments, wherein the at least one of the polytetrafluoroethylene fibers or polytetrafluoroethylene filaments is at least one of directionally or non-directionally oriented, positioning a pharmaceutical agent on the implantable mesh, and coating at least a portion of the at least one of the polytetrafluoroethylene fibers or polytetrafluoroethylene filaments and the pharmaceutical agent with a polymer, wherein the implantable mesh is configured to be positioned in the body of the patient during the repair of the hernia and the pharmaceutical agent elutes from the implantable mesh into the body of the patient at the site of the hernia repair.

Abstract: Embodiments may include an expandable access system having contracted and expanded configurations. The system and methods may include an expandable access device having a helix or wrapped shape. Embodiments may include a cannula, stent, needle, trocar, introducer, fastener, and/or any other devices disclosed herein. Embodiments may also include an expandable trocar positionable in at least a portion of the access device. A sleeve or band may be disposed over at least a portion of the access device and configured to resist radial expansion of the access device. Expansion of the trocar and/or receipt of an object may radially expand the access device between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: The invention primarily relates to fastening and stabilizing tissues, implants, and/or bondable materials, such as the fastening of a tissue and/or implant to a bondable material, the fastening of an implant to tissue, and/or the fastening of an implant to another implant. This may involve using an energy source to bond and/or mechanically to stabilize a tissue, an implant, a bondable material, and/or other biocompatible material. The invention may also relate to the use of an energy source to remove and/or install an implant and/or bondable material or to facilitate solidification and/or polymerization of bondable material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region is generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region is generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.

Abstract: A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region is generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical system for securing a suture against relative movement with respect to a body tissue. The surgical system includes a fastener and medical device for positioning and securing a fastener onto a suture. The fastener includes inner and outer members that can slide together and rotate. The suture extends through the inner and outer members so that rotation of the inner member causes it to wrap the suture around it. As the suture is wound around the inner member, the fastener is drawn toward a position against the body tissue. Further rotation of the inner member allows tension to be applied to the suture. The fastener may be bonded to the suture in order to further secure the suture against relative movement with respect to the body tissue.

Abstract: A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical system for securing a suture against relative movement with respect to a body tissue. The surgical system includes a fastener and medical device for positioning and securing a fastener onto a suture. The fastener includes inner and outer members that can slide together and rotate. The suture extends through the inner and outer members so that rotation of the inner member causes it to wrap the suture around it. As the suture is wound around the inner member, the fastener is drawn toward a position against the body tissue. Further rotation of the inner member allows tension to be applied to the suture. The fastener may be bonded to the suture in order to further secure the suture against relative movement with respect to the body tissue.

Abstract: A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

Abstract: A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a securing of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

Abstract: Embodiments may include fixation devices and methods for securing first and second body tissue portions. Fixation devices may include a base component, an insert component, and a flexible member. The base component may include a passage. The insert component may be positionable within at least a portion of the passage. The elongate member may be configured to be positioned through the first and second body tissue portions. The elongate member may be tensioned and pinched between the base component and insert component to secure the first and second portions.

Abstract: A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

Abstract: Embodiments may include an expandable access system having contracted and expanded configurations. The system and methods may include an expandable access device having a helix or wrapped shape. Embodiments may include a cannula, stent, needle, trocar, introducer, fastener, and/or any other devices disclosed herein. Embodiments may also include an expandable trocar positionable in at least a portion of the access device. A sleeve or band may be disposed over at least a portion of the access device and configured to resist radial expansion of the access device. Expansion of the trocar and/or receipt of an object may radially expand the access device between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments may include an attachable fastener, which may include a bondable material that may be secured to the end of an end effector. Vibration may be tuned to occur at a distal end of the fastener. Accordingly, the fastener may be used to generate heat at a distal point of contact. If the contact surface contains bondable material, that material may be softened. If the fastener includes bondable material at the point of contact, that material may also be softened by heat produced by vibration at the contact area. A hard implant or another polymeric material may function as the anvil.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus to secure a suture relative to body tissue. The apparatus includes an at least in part tubular member that has a longitudinal passage that is configured to permit at least a portion of the suture to be received within and extend through the tubular member. The tubular member is formed of a deformable material to permit deformation from a first configuration to second configuration. The second configuration is effective to secure the suture relative to the body tissue.

Abstract: An improved anchor to secure a suture relative to body tissue. The anchor including an a generally cylindrical body portion with an opening, that is at least in part threaded, extending from the trailing end toward the leading end, and a suture passage configured for passing at least a portion of the suture therethrough. The anchor also includes a trapping member that is configured to be threadably inserted into the opening to trap at least a portion of the suture between trapping member and the generally cylindrical body portion.

Abstract: An improved method and device to secure a suture relative to body tissue. The device includes an outer sleeve with a generally cylindrical outer surface and an opening extending from the leading end to the trailing end adapted to receive at least a portion of the suture therein. The device also includes an inner member configured to be coaxially advanceable within the opening of the outer sleeve. The inner member and outer sleeve are configured to fixedly couple to each other and to trap at least a portion of the suture therebetween after advancement of the inner member within the outer sleeve. The device is also configured to expand from a first maximum dimension transverse to the central longitudinal axis to a second maximum dimension after advancement of the inner member within the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.