Abstract: A suture anchor kit includes an anchor body having a central bore extending from an opening at a proximal end of the anchor body through a portion of the length thereof. A transverse member is disposed in the central bore such that the ends of the transverse member extend across the bore to the anchor body. A suture anchor threading apparatus may have a handle and a suture threader extending from the handle. The suture threader has a wire loop open sufficiently to accept at least one suture and is made of an elastic material having a resiliency sufficient to bend 120° to 180° about a 1 mm to 4 mm radius without permanent deformation.

Abstract: A suture anchor kit includes an anchor body having a central bore extending from an opening at a proximal end of the anchor body through a portion of the length thereof. A transverse member is disposed in the central bore such that the ends of the transverse member extend across the bore to the anchor body. A suture anchor threading apparatus may have a handle and a suture threader extending from the handle. The suture threader has a wire loop open sufficiently to accept at least one suture and is made of an elastic material having a resiliency sufficient to bend 120° to 180° about a 1 mm to 4 mm radius without permanent deformation.

Abstract: A method of implanting a surgically implantable band, the method comprising the steps of providing a band with an elongated body member having a first end with a first latching member positioned thereon, and a second end with a second latching member positioned thereon. The first latching member has a suture tab extender extending therefrom. The suture tab extender has a suture attached thereto. The second end has a gripping section positioned thereon shaped and dimensioned to facilitate gripping as the gastric band extender is passed through the second latching member. The method further includes the step of positioning the band around an anatomical structure and latching the band around the structure by placing the suture tab extender through the second latching member and thereafter coupling the first and second latching members. The method further involves the step of removing the suture tab extender from the band.

Abstract: A gastric band includes a balloon shaped and dimensioned to circumscribe the stomach at a predetermined location. The balloon includes a longitudinally extending body and a supply tube is secured to the balloon for fluid communication with an internal cavity of the balloon.

Abstract: A gastric band includes a band body having a first end and a second end. The band body includes a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism is composed of a shell member at the first end of the band body and a collar member at the second end of the band body, the shell member and collar member being shaped and dimensioned for selective locking and unlocking in a manner creating a loop of the gastric band for positioning about a stomach wall.

Abstract: A removable suture tab extender for a gastric band is shaped and dimensioned for selective attachment to a first end of the gastric band, the gastric band including a latching mechanism composed of a first latching member positioned at the first end of the gastric band and a second latching member positioned at a second end of the gastric band. The gastric band extender includes an elongated body member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated body member is shaped and dimensioned for coupling with the first latching member. The second end of the elongated body member includes a gripping section shaped and dimensioned to facilitate gripping thereof as the gastric band extender is passed through the second latching member.