The invention relates to a method for forming a mesh having a barbed suture attached thereto, comprising the following steps: a) producing a knitted structure on a knitting machine comprising at least one needle-bed with three guide bars, on a length corresponding to N stitches ranging from 1 to N, wherein i) a first knit portion is produced along stitches ranging from 1 to x, where 1<x<N, ii) a second knit portion is produced for stitches ranging from (x+1) to N, in which the knitting pattern produces at least one weft stitched chain stitch, b) cutting the second knit portion on both sides of the weft stitched chain stitch and along an edge separating the second knit portion from the first knit portion, while maintaining the weft stitched chain stitch attached to the first knit portion. The invention also relates to the mesh obtained by this method.

A packaging system includes a packaging container and a packaging element. The packaging container include a first half having a base surface and an outer wall defining an inset receiving area, a second half sized and configured to couple to the first half in a locking relationship, and a coupling element extending from the base surface of the first half. The packaging element includes a central coupling body defining an opening sized and configured to receive the coupling element of the packaging container therethrough and a plurality of secondary coupling elements each coupled to an outer perimeter of the central coupling body. A plurality of surgical elements are each coupled to one of the plurality of secondary coupling elements.

An intravaginal device that has a hollow open-ended cylindrical body and a removal strip, wherein the body has features that keep the removal strip in a track. During removal when the removal strip is pulled, the cross-sectional area of the device is decreased. A kit includes the device, removal strip and an assistive wand to aid with insertion and removal.

A dilation introducer for orthopedic surgery is provided for minimally invasive access for insertion of an intervertebral implant. The dilation introducer may be used to provide an access position through Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. A first dilator tube with a first longitudinal axis is provided. A second dilator tube may be introduced over the first, advanced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from the first. A third dilator tube may be introduced over the second, advanced along a third longitudinal axis parallel to but offset from both the first and the second. An access cannula may be introduced over the third dilator tube. With the first, second, and third dilator tubes removed, surgical instruments may pass through the access cannula to operate on an intervertebral disc and/or insert an intervertebral implant.

A reinforcement device for reinforcing tissues having one or more structural deficiencies includes a longitudinally-extending reinforcing layer for treating the structural deficiency, a plurality of spiked naps distributed across the reinforcing layer and projecting therefrom for adhering to the tissue, and a dissolvable matrix layer covering at least a portion of the reinforcing layer and a portion of the plurality of spiked naps. The matrix layer increases the time before the spiked naps substantially adhere to the tissue, thereby allowing the practitioner additional time to position the reinforcement device.

A device is described. The device includes a suture guide and a tissue retracting surface to enable accurate and safe delivery of sutures through tissue.

A composite implant device for use in a medical application, comprising a synthetically-derived mesh that mimics particular critical aspects of a biologically-derived mesh. The composite implant device can be used for the reinforcement and reconstruction of tissues within the body and can be comprised of a majority of synthetic components and minority of naturally-derived components which mimic the structure and function of a naturally-derived mesh.

This invention relates to a double-layer fibrous annulus patch, a patch clamp, a suture needle and a fishbone suture. The inner layer foldable patch and the outer layer foldable patch are arranged and connected by a pair of crossed flexible connectors. Both ends of the two patches are connected by auxiliary connectors. A pair of auxiliary connectors are further arranged on both sides of the outer foldable patch, which can be used with the patch clamp to unfold the patch and secure it in place. With both patches in a folded state, the patch clamp is used to push the inner foldable patch through the rupture in the intervertebral disc into the annulus fibrosus and the patch unfolds within the annulus fibrosus. The outer layer foldable patch is unfolded on the outside of the annulus fibrosus and is fixed by two auxiliary connectors and fishbone sutures.

Disclosed herein is a storage container for an expandable prosthetic heart valve that crimps the valve upon opening the container and removal of the valve from the container. The container includes a housing sized to receive the heart valve in its expanded configuration and a crimping mechanism. The crimping mechanism is incorporated into the container and engages the heart valve so as to operably convert the heart valve from its expanded configuration to its smaller crimped configuration upon opening the container and removing the valve.

The present disclosure includes systems, methods, kits, and individual tools (e.g., trial sizers and delivery devices) for medical procedures involving a soft-tissue allograft for the correction of skeletal impairments (e.g., misalignments, arthritis, etc.).