Abstract: A method for closing a patent foramen ovale in the heart tissue of a patient may include percutaneously advancing a connector applicator to the patent foramen ovale, registering the connector applicator with the patent foramen ovale, deploying connectors into heart tissue to close the patent foramen ovale; and percutaneously removing the connector applicator from the heart. One or more anchors may be used to register the connector applicator with the patent foramen ovale. The connector applicator may include a driver having a longitudinal passage therein, where at least part of at least one connector is positioned within the passage.

Abstract: An anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel includes spaced-apart arms, and an anvil connected to those arms, where that anvil has a blunt distal end. The anvil is insertable into the target vessel. One or more connectors, such as staples, may be deployed from each arm to connect the graft vessel to the target vessel.

Abstract: An integrated anastomosis tool may include an effector that both makes an opening in the wall of a target vessel and connects a graft vessel to the target vessel. The connection between the graft vessel and the target vessel may be compliant, and may be achieved by deploying a plurality of connectors such as staples into tissue. The effector may include a cutter assembly and a connection module that are independently actuatable. The cutter assembly and/or the connection module may be cable-actuated.

Abstract: An anastomosis tool includes a handle connected to a tissue effector that may be capable of being oriented in two or more positions relative to the handle. The tissue effector holds a graft vessel having at least one flap defined in at least one end thereof against the side of a target vessel. Actuation of a trigger or other mechanism on the handle causes the tissue effector to deploy one or more connectors into the flaps of the graft vessel and the side of the target vessel, thereby connecting the graft vessel to the target vessel.

Abstract: A surgical tool may include a staple holding strip, and surgical staples frangibly connected to an edge of that staple holding strip.

Abstract: One method for closing an opening in tissue may include providing a substantially continuous solid staple having a plurality of tines and a longitudinal centerline, plastically deforming the staple to a splayed configuration; penetrating at least one tine into tissue in proximity to the opening; and plastically deforming the staple to a closed configuration. Another method for closing an opening in tissue may include providing a staple having a plurality of tines; plastically deforming the staple to a splayed configuration by applying force in the distal direction against a proximal surface of the staple; penetrating at least one tine into tissue in proximity to the opening; and plastically deforming the staple from the splayed configuration to a closed configuration by applying force in the distal direction against a proximal surface of the staple.

Abstract: A method for anastomosing a first vessel to a second vessel may include connecting an end of the first vessel to the side of the second vessel and creating an opening in the wall of the second vessel from within the lumen of the second vessel, where that opening allows fluid communication between the lumen of the first vessel and the lumen of the second vessel.

Abstract: An exemplary medical apparatus insertable into the vasculature of a patient at an insertion point for treating a defect in the heart, may include an elongated, flexible driver sufficient in length to extend from the insertion point to the defect in the heart; and a staple frangibly attached to the distal end of the driver. Another exemplary medical apparatus may include a catheter sufficient in length to extend from the insertion point to the patent foramen ovale; a housing attached to the distal end of the catheter; a driver extending into the housing; and a staple frangibly attached to the driver.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive coronary artery bypass graft procedure may be performed with a splittable proximal anastomosis tool. A distal anastomosis tool may be used as well, where that distal anastomosis tool may include a staple holder having two spaced-apart arms, staples detachably held by the staple holder, and an anvil connected to the staple holder.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and assemblies are provided for treating a patient by: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin over the abdominal cavity; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; advancing an instrument through the tract; contacting a distal end portion of the instrument against an inner surface of the abdominal cavity; driving at least one stitching needle through the inner surface of the abdominal cavity; continuing the driving until the at least one stitching needle exits the inner surface of the abdominal cavity; anchoring a suture carried by each of the at least one stitching needle to a suture anchor at an exit location, respectively; and applying tension to each of the sutures.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and assemblies are provided for treating a patient by: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin over the abdominal cavity; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; advancing an instrument through the tract; contacting a distal end portion of the instrument against an inner surface of the abdominal cavity; driving at least one stitching needle through the inner surface of the abdominal cavity; continuing the driving until the at least one stitching needle exits the inner surface of the abdominal cavity; anchoring a suture carried by each of the at least one stitching needle to a suture anchor at an exit location, respectively; and applying tension to each of the sutures.

Abstract: Apparatus, tools, device and methods provided for treating a patient including: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; inserting a guide member having a flexible distal portion and a distal tip into the initial tract and extending the initial tract to form a delivery tract leading to a target location within the patient's body; wherein said distal tip and at least a portion of a remainder of said guide member are transparent and delivering an obturator and conduit assembly over said guide member to place a distal end of the conduit of said obturator and conduit assembly in a location at or near the target location, said obturator having been inserted into said conduit prior to delivering said assembly over said guide member such that a distal end of said obturator extends distally out of a distal opening of said conduit; wherein said obturator comprises a central lumen adapted to closely follow said guide m

Abstract: Apparatus, tools, device and methods provided for treating a patient including: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; inserting a guide member having a flexible distal portion and a distal tip into the initial tract and extending the initial tract to form a delivery tract leading to a target location within the patient's body; wherein said distal tip and at least a portion of a remainder of said guide member are transparent and delivering an obturator and conduit assembly over said guide member to place a distal end of the conduit of said obturator and conduit assembly in a location at or near the target location, said obturator having been inserted into said conduit prior to delivering said assembly over said guide member such that a distal end of said obturator extends distally out of a distal opening of said conduit wherein said obturator comprises a central lumen adapted to closely follow said guide me

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and assemblies are provided for treating a patient by: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin over the abdominal cavity; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; advancing an instrument through the tract; contacting a distal end portion of the instrument against an inner surface of the abdominal cavity; driving at least one stitching needle through the inner surface of the abdominal cavity, continuing the driving until the at least one stitching needle exits the inner surface of the abdominal cavity, anchoring a suture carried by each of the at least one stitching needle to a suture anchor at an exit location, respectively; and applying tension to each of the sutures.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and assemblies are provided for treating a patient by: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin over the abdominal cavity; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; advancing an instrument through the tract; contacting a distal end portion of the instrument against an inner surface of the abdominal cavity; driving at least one stitching needle through the inner surface of the abdominal cavity; continuing the driving until the at least one stitching needle exits the inner surface of the abdominal cavity; anchoring a suture carried by each of the at least one stitching needle to a suture anchor at an exit location, respectively; and applying tension to each of the sutures.

Abstract: Apparatus, tools, device and methods provided for treating a patient including: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; inserting a guide member having a flexible distal portion and a distal tip into the initial tract and extending the initial tract to form a delivery tract leading to a target location within the patient's body; wherein said distal tip and at least a portion of a remainder of said guide member are transparent and delivering an obturator and conduit assembly over said guide member to place a distal end of the conduit of said obturator and conduit assembly in a location at or near the target location, said obturator having been inserted into said conduit prior to delivering said assembly over said guide member such that a distal end of said obturator extends distally out of a distal opening of said conduit wherein said obturator comprises a central lumen adapted to closely follow said guide me

Abstract: Apparatus, tools, device and methods provided for treating a patient, including: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; inserting a guide member having a flexible distal portion and a distal tip into the initial tract and extending the initial tract to form a delivery tract leading to a target location within the patient's body; wherein said distal tip and at least a portion of a remainder of said guide member are transparent; and delivering an obturator and conduit assembly over said guide member to place a distal end of the conduit of said obturator and conduit assembly in a location at or near the target location, said obturator having been inserted into said conduit prior to delivering said assembly over said guide member such that a distal end of said obturator extends distally out of a distal opening of said conduit; wherein said obturator comprises a central lumen adapted to closely follow said guide

Abstract: Tools, devices and methods for treating a patient. An incision or puncture is made though the patient's skin and a delivery tract is made through an opening formed by the incision or puncture, subcutaneous fat and fascia, far into the patient's abdominal cavity. A guide member is inserted through the delivery tract and a distal end portion of the guide member is positioned at a target location within the abdominal cavity. An implantable device is delivered with the aid of the guide member, and the implantable device is attached to at least one internal body structure. A fillable member of the implantable device is at least partially filled with fluid. The guide member is removed and an adjustment member is attached to a conduit in fluid communication with the fillable member. The attachment member is anchored to an internal body structure and the incision or puncture is closed.

Abstract: Tools, devices and methods for treating a patient. An incision or puncture is made though the patient's skin and a delivery tract is made through an opening formed by the incision or puncture, subcutaneous fat and fascia, far into the patient's abdominal cavity. A guide member is inserted through the delivery tract and a distal end portion of the guide member is positioned at a target location within the abdominal cavity. An implantable device is delivered with the aid of the guide member, and the implantable device is attached to at least one internal body structure. A fillable member of the implantable device is at least partially filled with fluid. The guide member is removed and an adjustment member is attached to a conduit in fluid communication with the fillable member. The attachment member is anchored to an internal body structure and the incision or puncture is closed.

Abstract: A system for preparing a graft vessel for anastomosis includes one or more tools held within a functional package having at least one recess. An anastomosis tool or portion thereof may be held in at least one recess. An anastomosis device is connected to the anastomosis tool. At least one recess is shaped and sized to hold an amount of biocompatible fluid sufficient to immerse the anastomosis device.