Abstract: A device and method for creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula includes a proximal base having a distal diagonal end surface and a distal tip connected to the proximal base and movable relative to the proximal base. The distal tip has a proximal diagonal end surface. A heating assembly, including an energized heating element, is disposed one of the distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface. A passive heating assembly is disposed on the mating diagonal end surface. The distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface are adapted to contact opposing sides of a tissue portion to create a fistula. The angle of the proximal diagonal end surface matches the angle of the distal diagonal end surface, so that the two surfaces match one another during deployment.

Abstract: A device and method for creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula includes a proximal base having a distal diagonal end surface and a distal tip connected to the proximal base and movable relative to the proximal base. The distal tip has a proximal diagonal end surface. A heating assembly, including an energized heating element, is disposed one of the distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface. A passive heating assembly is disposed on the mating diagonal end surface. The distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface are adapted to contact opposing sides of a tissue portion to create a fistula. The angle of the proximal diagonal end surface matches the angle of the distal diagonal end surface, so that the two surfaces match one another during deployment.

Abstract: A device for securing an article to a tissue may include a body, transitionable from a deployment state to a securing state, having a first portion, a second portion, and a medial portion therebetween. The first portion and the second portion may each have an end configured to pierce the tissue. The device in the deployment state may have a linearly extended or a U-shaped structure. In the securing state, the first portion may be embedded in the tissue and the medial portion may contact the article. A system for securing the article to the tissue may releasably engage the device while in the deployment state. A method for securing the article may include contacting the article with a tissue surface and releasing the device from the system so that the device, in the securing state, may anchor the article to the tissue.

Abstract: A device for securing an article to a tissue may include a body, transitionable from a deployment state to a securing state, having a first portion, a second portion, and a medial portion therebetween. The first portion and the second portion may each have an end configured to pierce the tissue. The device in the deployment state may have a linearly extended or a U-shaped structure. In the securing state, the first portion may be embedded in the tissue and the medial portion may contact the article. A system for securing the article to the tissue may releasably engage the device while in the deployment state. A method for securing the article may include contacting the article with a tissue surface and releasing the device from the system so that the device, in the securing state, may anchor the article to the tissue.

Abstract: A device for securing an article to a tissue may include a body, transitionable from a deployment state to a securing state, having a first portion, a second portion, and a medial portion therebetween. The first portion and the second portion may each have an end configured to pierce the tissue. The device in the deployment state may have a linearly extended or a U-shaped structure. In the securing state, the first portion may be embedded in the tissue and the medial portion may contact the article. A system for securing the article to the tissue may releasably engage the device while in the deployment state. A method for securing the article may include contacting the article with a tissue surface and releasing the device from the system so that the device, in the securing state, may anchor the article to the tissue.

Abstract: A device for securing an article to a tissue may include a body, transitionable from a deployment state to a securing state, having a first portion, a second portion, and a medial portion therebetween. The first portion and the second portion may each have an end configured to pierce the tissue. The device in the deployment state may have a linearly extended or a U-shaped structure. In the securing state, the first portion may be embedded in the tissue and the medial portion may contact the article. A system for securing the article to the tissue may releasably engage the device while in the deployment state. A method for securing the article may include contacting the article with a tissue surface and releasing the device from the system so that the device, in the securing state, may anchor the article to the tissue.

Abstract: A suture manipulating instrument for passing and retrieving suture through a tissue includes a handle mechanism, an elongate shaft extending from the handle, and a working distal end. The working distal end includes a needle body, a lumen defined by the needle body, a tissue penetrating distal tip, and a lateral slot. A preformed inner member is movably disposed within the lumen of the needle. The handle mechanism is used to extend the wire from the lateral slot of the needle, and to retract the wire into the lateral slot, allowing the working end of the instrument to grasp and manipulate suture by pinning and/or trapping the suture against the needle. In embodiments the inner member is further retracted within the needle lumen, drawing a length of suture into the needle lumen. The suture is subsequently ejected from the needle lumen to form a suture loop.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a soft material anchoring system including an elongate, tubular braided soft anchoring implant. The implant has a first elongate state where the implant may easily slide within a bone tunnel, and a second axially compressed state where the implant is wedged within the bone tunnel. The implant also includes at least one suture pathway that extends along and through an implant side wall; this pathway receives at least a portion of a length of suture that is also attached to soft tissue. This length of suture may slide along the suture pathway and transition the implant from the first elongate state to the second compressed state. The system also includes a binding element that at least partially extends within the implant, the binding element having both a first larger binding portion and a second smaller sliding portion.

Abstract: A device for securing an article to a tissue may include a body, transitionable from a deployment state to a securing state, having a first portion, a second portion, and a medial portion therebetween. The first portion and the second portion may each have an end configured to pierce the tissue. The device in the deployment state may have a linearly extended or a U-shaped structure. In the securing state, the first portion may be embedded in the tissue and the medial portion may contact the article. A system for securing the article to the tissue may releasably engage the device while in the deployment state. A method for securing the article may include contacting the article with a tissue surface and releasing the device from the system so that the device, in the securing state, may anchor the article to the tissue.

Abstract: A device and method for creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula includes a proximal base having a distal diagonal end surface and a distal tip connected to the proximal base and movable relative to the proximal base. The distal tip has a proximal diagonal end surface. A heating assembly, including an energized heating element, is disposed one of the distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface. A passive heating assembly is disposed on the mating diagonal end surface. The distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface are adapted to contact opposing sides of a tissue portion to create a fistula. The angle of the proximal diagonal end surface matches the angle of the distal diagonal end surface, so that the two surfaces match one another during deployment.

Abstract: A device and method for creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula includes a proximal base having a distal diagonal end surface and a distal tip connected to the proximal base and movable relative to the proximal base. The distal tip has a proximal diagonal end surface. A heating assembly, including an energized heating element, is disposed one of the distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface. A passive heating assembly is disposed on the mating diagonal end surface. The distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface are adapted to contact opposing sides of a tissue portion to create a fistula. The angle of the proximal diagonal end surface matches the angle of the distal diagonal end surface, so that the two surfaces match one another during deployment.

Abstract: Two spaced bodily tissues are approximated with a surgical tensioning device comprising a resilient member and a pressure locking device. The method comprises a step of routing one end of a length of suture through both spaced bodily tissues and inserting the suture end into and through the pressure locking device. The suture is then tensioned by pulling on the suture end passing through the pressure locking device. Responsive to tension changes in the suture, the pressure locking device is actuated by moving at least one surface in the pressure locking device to clamp the suture in position.

Abstract: A suture manipulating instrument for passing and retrieving suture through a tissue includes a handle mechanism, an elongate shaft extending from the handle, and a working distal end. The working distal end includes a needle body, a lumen defined by the needle body, a tissue penetrating distal tip, and a lateral slot. A preformed inner member is movably disposed within the lumen of the needle. The handle mechanism is used to extend the wire from the lateral slot of the needle, and to retract the wire into the lateral slot, allowing the working end of the instrument to grasp and manipulate suture by pinning and/or trapping the suture against the needle. In embodiments the inner member is further retracted within the needle lumen, drawing a length of suture into the needle lumen. The suture is subsequently ejected from the needle lumen to form a suture loop.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a soft material anchoring system including an elongate, tubular braided soft anchoring implant. The implant has a first elongate state where the implant may easily slide within a bone tunnel, and a second axially compressed state where the implant is wedged within the bone tunnel. The implant also includes at least one suture pathway that extends along and through an implant side wall; this pathway receives at least a portion of a length of suture that is also attached to soft tissue. This length of suture may slide along the suture pathway and transition the implant from the first elongate state to the second compressed state. The system also includes a binding element that at least partially extends within the implant, the binding element having both a first larger binding portion and a second smaller sliding portion.

Abstract: A suture manipulating instrument for passing and retrieving suture through a tissue includes a handle mechanism, an elongate shaft extending from the handle, and a working distal end. The working distal end includes a needle body, a lumen defined by the needle body, a tissue penetrating distal tip, and a lateral slot. A preformed inner member is movably disposed within the lumen of the needle. The handle mechanism is used to extend the wire from the lateral slot of the needle, and to retract the wire into the lateral slot, allowing the working end of the instrument to grasp and manipulate suture by pinning and/or trapping the suture against the needle. In embodiments the inner member is further retracted within the needle lumen, drawing a length of suture into the needle lumen. The suture is subsequently ejected from the needle lumen to form a suture loop.

Abstract: A device for securing an article to a tissue may include a body, transitionable from a deployment state to a securing state, having a first portion, a second portion, and a medial portion therebetween. The first portion and the second portion may each have an end configured to pierce the tissue. The device in the deployment state may have a linearly extended or a U-shaped structure. In the securing state, the first portion may be embedded in the tissue and the medial portion may contact the article. A system for securing the article to the tissue may releasably engage the device while in the deployment state. A method for securing the article may include contacting the article with a tissue surface and releasing the device from the system so that the device, in the securing state, may anchor the article to the tissue.

Abstract: A device for securing an article to a tissue may include a body, transitionable from a deployment state to a securing state, having a first portion, a second portion, and a medial portion therebetween. The first portion and the second portion may each have an end configured to pierce the tissue. The device in the deployment state may have a linearly extended or a U-shaped structure. In the securing state, the first portion may be embedded in the tissue and the medial portion may contact the article. A system for securing the article to the tissue may releasably engage the device while in the deployment state. A method for securing the article may include contacting the article with a tissue surface and releasing the device from the system so that the device, in the securing state, may anchor the article to the tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a soft material anchoring system including an elongate, tubular braided soft anchoring implant. The implant has a first elongate state where the implant may easily slide within a bone tunnel, and a second axially compressed state where the implant is wedged within the bone tunnel. The implant also includes at least one suture pathway that extends along and through an implant side wall; this pathway receives at least a portion of a length of suture that is also attached to soft tissue. This length of suture may slide along the suture pathway and transition the implant from the first elongate state to the second compressed state. The system also includes a binding element that at least partially extends within the implant, the binding element having both a first larger binding portion and a second smaller sliding portion.

Abstract: Two spaced bodily tissues are approximated with a surgical tensioning device comprising a resilient member and a pressure locking device. The method comprises a step of routing one end of a length of suture through both spaced bodily tissues and inserting the suture end into and through the pressure locking device. The suture is then tensioned by pulling on the suture end passing through the pressure locking device. Responsive to tension changes in the suture, the pressure locking device is actuated by moving at least one surface in the pressure locking device to clamp the suture in position.

Abstract: Two spaced bodily tissues are approximated with a surgical tensioning device comprising a resilient member and a pressure locking device. The method comprises a step of routing one end of a length of suture through both spaced bodily tissues and inserting the suture end into and through the pressure locking device. The suture is then tensioned by pulling on the suture end passing through the pressure locking device. Responsive to tension changes in the suture, the pressure locking device is actuated by moving at least one surface in the pressure locking device to clamp the suture in position.