Abstract: Suture passer devices, including suture passers configured with an axially slideable jaw that includes a tissue-penetrating distal end region. Also described are suture passers including jaws housing tissue penetrating needles to pass suture that are substantially thin. Methods of using such devices to pass a suture through tissue are provided.

Abstract: Described herein are suture passers that may be used for repair of the meniscus of the knee. These suture passers typically include an elongate body having a pair of arms. One or more of the arms may be radiused at the distal end region relative to the long axis of the device, to better fit between a target tissue and a body non-target tissue (e.g., the curvature of the femoral condyle). The arms may form a distal-facing opening that is configured to fit the target tissue. One arm may be movable in the axial direction (e.g., the direction of the long axis of the device), while the other arm may be bendable. A tissue penetrator may be housed within one of the arms to extend across the distal opening between the arms. Thus, a suture may be passed from a first side of the tissue to a second side.

Abstract: A PAP system includes a PAP device to generate a supply of pressurized air, a patient interface adapted to form a seal with the patient's face, air delivery tubing to interconnect the patient interface and the PAP device, and a cover that substantially encloses at least a portion of the PAP device and a portion of the air delivery tubing. The cover allows the PAP device to be carried by and/or supported on the patient's head.

Abstract: Sutures with pre-tied knots for use in percutaneous surgical procedures. Described herein are pre-tied sutures and methods of using them that may be used with a suture passer for percutaneously suturing tissue, including percutaneously passing and securing a loop of suture around a tear in a meniscus tissue of the knee. A suture with a pre-tied knot may include a length of suture and a knot body on the length of suture, and a leader snare tied to the length of suture by the knot body. The leader snare typically has an opening loop (bight or snare) through which an end of the suture may be passed. The tail of the leader snare may be pulled to remove the leader snare for the knot body and draw the end of the suture through the knot body to close the knot, which can then be tightened to secure the tissue.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for passing a suture. In general, described herein are suturing devices, such as suture passers, as well as methods of suturing tissue. These suture passing devices may include dual deployment suture passers in which a first distal jaw member is moveable at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the device and the second distal jaw member is retractable proximally to the distal end region of the elongate body and/or the first jaw member. Also described herein are suture passers in which the tissue penetrator passing the suture travels in an approximately sigmoidal pathway, with the distal end of the tissue penetrator extending distally from one jaw of the device.

Abstract: One example of a surgical apparatus may include at least one resorbable feeder belt, and a plurality of staples fixed to that feeder belt. Another example of a surgical apparatus may include at least one feeder belt and at least one resorbable carrier detachably connected to a corresponding feeder belt, where the carrier includes a plurality of staples attached to it.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for passing a suture. In general, described herein are suturing devices, such as suture passers, as well as methods of suturing tissue. These suture passing devices may include dual deployment suture passers in which a first distal jaw member is movable at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the device and the second distal jaw member is retractable proximally to the distal end region of the elongate body and/or the first jaw member. Also described herein are suture passers in which the tissue penetrator passing the suture travels in an approximately sigmoidal pathway, with the distal end of the tissue penetrator extending distally from one jaw of the device.

Abstract: A surgical method for treating a tissue structure having a wall and a lumen may include providing a substantially rigid anvil and a flexible tip affixed to and extending from the distal end of that anvil; making an incision in the wall of the tissue structure; inserting the flexible tip and at least a portion of the rigid anvil through the incision into the lumen of the tissue structure; and deforming at least one connector, introduced from outside the wall of the tissue structure, against the portion of the rigid anvil located within the lumen of the tissue structure.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a surgical staple deformable from a first configuration to a second, deployed configuration, where the surgical staple includes a first leg and a second leg; where in the second, deployed configuration the surgical staple forms substantially a D-shape. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt; a surgical staple deformable from a first configuration to a second, deployed configuration, where the surgical staple includes a first leg and a second leg connected to the first leg, where one end of the first leg is frangibly affixed to the feeder belt and one end of said the leg is free; where in the second, deployed configuration the surgical staple forms substantially a D-shape. An exemplary method of treating tissue may include providing a surgical staple; urging the surgical staple into tissue, while the surgical staple has a first shape; and deforming the surgical staple into substantially a D-shape.

Abstract: Methods for repairing a meniscus, and particularly a torn meniscus. A method of repairing a meniscus may include using a suture passer to pass a suturing element from the region between the superior surface of the meniscus and the femoral condyle, through the meniscus tissue, into the region between the inferior surface of the meniscus and the tibial plateau, across the inferior surface of the meniscus, and back to the superior surface of the meniscus, without deeply penetrating the posterior capsular region of the knee. Equivalently, the suture element may be passed from the inferior surface of the meniscus to the superior surface and back to the inferior surface.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for passing a suture. In general, described herein are suturing devices, such as suture passers, as well as methods of suturing tissue. These suture passing devices may include dual deployment suture passers in which a first distal jaw member is movable at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the device and the second distal jaw member is retractable proximally to the distal end region of the elongate body and/or the first jaw member. Also described herein are suture passers in which the tissue penetrator passing the suture travels in an approximately sigmoidal pathway, with the distal end of the tissue penetrator extending distally from one jaw of the device.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for passing a suture. In general, described herein are suturing devices, such as suture passers, as well as methods of suturing tissue. These suture passing devices are dual deployment suture passers in which a first distal jaw member is moveable at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the device and the second distal jaw member is retractable proximally to the distal end region of the elongate body and/or the first jaw member. Methods of suturing tissue using a dual deployment suture passer are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical apparatus may include an anvil including an outer surface, a channel defined therein, and an aperture defined in the outer surface, where the aperture opens to the channel; and a cutter slidable along and within the channel, where at least a portion of the cutter is flexible. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include an anvil including an open channel defined therein; and a one-piece cutter including a knife adjacent to a bending region, where the cutter is slidable in the channel; where the knife is initially held completely within the anvil, and where the knife flexes out of the channel and out of the anvil in response to proximal motion of the cutter.

Abstract: One exemplary surgical apparatus may include at least one carrier, staples fixed to a corresponding carrier, and a feeder belt to which at least one carrier is frangibly connected.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a flexible articulation insert separated into segments, where at least one segment is longitudinally slidable relative to at least one other segment, and where at least one passage is defined longitudinally through the insert; and at least one feeder belt extending through a corresponding passage in the insert, where staples are frangibly connected to the feeder belt.

Abstract: One example of a surgical instrument may include a staple holder; staples held by the staple holder; an anvil, where at least one of the staple holder and anvil is movable relative to the other; and at least one electrode located on a surface of the staple holder and/or anvil. Another example of a surgical instrument may include a staple holder; staples held by the staple holder; an anvil, where at least one of the staple holder and the anvil is movable relative to the other between an open configuration and a closed configuration; where an adjustable gap exists between the staple holder and the anvil in the closed configuration; and at least one electrode located on a surface of at least one of the staple holder and/or anvil. An exemplary method may include providing a surgical instrument including an end effector; clamping tissue with the end effector; selecting stapling or electrocautery; and stapling or performing electrocautery accordingly.

Abstract: One exemplary surgical apparatus may include at least one carrier, staples fixed to a corresponding carrier, and a feeder belt to which at least one carrier is frangibly connected. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include a staple holder, an anvil movably connected to the staple holder, a feeder belt, where at least part of the feeder belt extends into the staple holder, and staples fixed to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt; where the staples are organized into at least two groups spaced apart from one another; and where at least one staple is deployable to a different closed shape than at least one other staple.

Abstract: A surgical method for treating a tissue structure having a wall and a lumen may include providing a substantially rigid anvil and a flexible tip affixed to and extending from the distal end of that anvil; making an incision in the wall of the tissue structure; inserting the flexible tip and at least a portion of the rigid anvil through the incision into the lumen of the tissue structure; and deforming at least one connector, introduced from outside the wall of the tissue structure, against the portion of the rigid anvil located within the lumen of the tissue structure.

Abstract: A tool for treating tissue in conjunction with one or more connectors may include an anvil against which at least one connector is urged, and a flexible tip extending from the distal end of said anvil. At least one connector may be held by a connector holder that is pivotally connected to the anvil. The anvil may be used to treat tissue by making an incision in the wall of the blood vessel, inserting the flexible tip and at least a portion of the anvil through the incision into the lumen of the blood vessel, and deforming at least one connector, introduced from outside the wall of the blood vessel, against the portion of the anvil that is located within the lumen of the blood vessel.