Abstract: A surgical fastener comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a biasing member contacting the clip and biasing the dip to its open configuration when the biasing member is actuated. The biasing member and clip both tend to assume the closed configuration when no external forces are applied to them. A needle may be releasably attached to the clip. Methods for making the fasteners are also disclosed, in which both the clip and the biasing member are set in the closed position.

Abstract: An annuloplasty system for repairing a valve in a patient's heart comprises a surgical implant including a member having first and second end portions. The implant member further is configured and/or adapted to form a partial ring along a portion of one of the valve annulae of a patient's heart such as the mitral or tricuspid valve annulus. The implant member is axially elastic such that it can axially expand and contract and includes first and second anchors extending from the end portions of the implant member. The anchors are adapted to anchor the implant in tissue such as the mitral or tricuspid valve annulus. The system can facilitate tissue plication (e.g., of the posterior annulus of the mitral valve or the annulus of the tricuspid valve) and reinforcement of a valve annulus.

Abstract: A surgical fastener comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a biasing member contacting the clip and biasing the dip to its open configuration when the biasing member is actuated. The biasing member and clip both tend to assume the closed configuration when no external forces are applied to them. A needle may be releasably attached to the clip. Methods for making the fasteners are also disclosed, in which both the clip and the biasing member are set in the closed position.

Abstract: A surgical fastener comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a biasing member contacting the clip and biasing the clip to its open configuration when the biasing member is actuated. The biasing member and clip both tend to assume the closed configuration when no external forces are applied to them. A needle may be releasably attached to the clip. Methods for making the fasteners are also disclosed, in which both the clip and the biasing member are set in the closed position.

Abstract: An annuloplasty system for repairing a valve in a patient's heart comprises a surgical implant including a member having first and second end portions. The implant member further is configured and/or adapted to form a partial ring along a portion of one of the valve annulae of a patient's heart such as the mitral or tricuspid valve annulus. The implant member is axially elastic such that it can axially expand and contract and includes first and second anchors extending from the end portions of the implant member. The anchors are adapted to anchor the implant in tissue such as the mitral or tricuspid valve annulus. The system can facilitate tissue plication (e.g., of the posterior annulus of the mitral valve or the annulus of the tricuspid valve) and reinforcement of a valve annulus.

Abstract: A tissue connector assembly comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a mechanical restraining device including a plurality of strands releasably attachable to the clip for restraining the clip in its open configuration. A needle may be releasably attached to the clip. A flexible member may also interconnect the clip and the needle.

Abstract: An annuloplasty system for repairing a valve in a patient's heart comprises a surgical implant including a member having first and second end portions. The implant member further is configured and/or adapted to form a partial ring along a portion of one of the valve annulae of a patient's heart such as the mitral or tricuspid valve annulus. The implant member is axially elastic such that it can axially expand and contract and includes first and second anchors extending from the end portions of the implant member. The anchors are adapted to anchor the implant in tissue such as the mitral or tricuspid valve annulus. The system can facilitate tissue plication (e.g., of the posterior annulus of the mitral valve or the annulus of the tricuspid valve) and reinforcement of a valve annulus.

Abstract: A surgical fastener comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a biasing member contacting the clip and biasing the clip to its open configuration when the biasing member is actuated. The biasing member and clip both tend to assume the closed configuration when no external forces are applied to them. A needle may be releasably attached to the clip. Methods for making the fasteners are also disclosed, in which both the clip and the biasing member are set in the closed position.

Abstract: A tissue connector assembly comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a mechanical restraining device including a plurality of strands releasably attachable to the clip for restraining the clip in its open configuration. A needle may be releasably attached to the clip. A flexible member may also interconnect the clip and the needle.

Abstract: A surgical fastener comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a biasing member contacting the clip and biasing the clip to its open configuration when the biasing member is actuated. The biasing member and clip both tend to assume the closed configuration when no external forces are applied to them. A needle may be releasably attached to the clip. Methods for making the fasteners are also disclosed, in which both the clip and the biasing member are set in the closed position.

Abstract: A tissue connector assembly comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a mechanical restraining device including a plurality of strands releasably attachable to the clip for restraining the clip in its open configuration. A needle may be releasably attached to the clip. A flexible member may also interconnect the clip and the needle.

Abstract: A tissue connector assembly comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a mechanical restraining device including a plurality of strands releasably attachable to the clip for restraining the clip in its open configuration. A needle may be releasably attached to the clip. A flexible member may also interconnect the clip and the needle.

Abstract: This is a device for bridging the neck of either a wide-necked or narrow-necked aneurysm as may be found in the vasculature. It may be used to stabilize the placement of vaso-occlusive devices such as helically wound coils in the aneurysm or may be used to, at least partially, close the aneurysm neck. The vaso-occlusive devices, commonly helically wound coils, are delivered by a core wire which is linked to the coils by an electrolytically severable joint. The core wire will often be insulated. The retainer assembly itself is also attached to another delivery device, such as a core wire, and desirably is severed from the core or delivery wire by the use of another electrolytically severable joint. The inventive neck bridge typically has a number of array elements which are intended to be resident within the aneurysm after the device is deployed from the distal end of a catheter. Central to this invention is the use of array elements having differing flexibility or constituent members of the array elements, e.

Abstract: This is a device for bridging the neck of either a wide-necked or narrow-necked aneurysm as may be found in the vasculature. It may be used to stabilize the placement of vaso-occlusive devices such as helically wound coils in the aneurysm or may be used to, at least partially, close the aneurysm neck. The vaso-occlusive devices, commonly helically wound coils, are delivered by a core wire which is linked to the coils by an electrolytically severable joint. The core wire will often be insulated. The retainer assembly itself is also attached to another delivery device, such as a core wire, and desirably is severed from the core or delivery wire by the use of another electrolytically severable joint. The inventive neck bridge typically has a number of array elements which are intended to be resident within the aneurysm after the device is deployed from the distal end of a catheter. Central to this invention is the use of array elements having differing flexibility or constituent members of the array elements, e.