A needle and suture assembly is provided for use with an endoscopic suturing device with a needle holder arm. The needle assembly includes a needle tip and a needle body. The needle tip has a sharp end. The needle body is tubular and has first and second ends and flexible tab retainers adjacent the second end for retaining the needle body relative to the needle holder arm. The tab retainers elastically deform to allow the needle body to be released from the needle holder arm upon application of force therebetween. The needle body has a suture opening located between the first end and the retainers. A suture extends into the suture opening of the needle body and is fixed therein.

A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes an expandable structure for enhancing engagement with median lobe prostate tissue.

A device for surgery that accommodates multiple different implements. The implements may be exchanged or changed out for one another over the course of a surgery in a manner that does not require disengagement of the device from a surgical site. As a result, the need to re-insert the device into the patient and other hazards associated with multiple trips into the surgical site may be minimized. In one embodiment, the device includes cannula architecture to avoid use of a separate cannula at the surgical site.

A retrieval device comprising a hook assembly and a capsule assembly. The hook assembly has an attachment feature at a first end. The capsule assembly includes a capsule, a capsule shaft, and a handle connected in series and defining an inner bore. The capsule has a first end defining an opening. The inner bore of the capsule assembly is configured to slidably receive the hook assembly. The handle has a central portion, a first extension portion attached to the capsule shaft, and a second extension portion with a hook assembly lock at a second end. The hook assembly lock is configured to lock the hook assembly to the second extension portion. The second extension portion is configured to pull the hook assembly relative to the capsule shaft, and the first extension portion is configured to push the capsule shaft relative to the hook assembly along the central longitudinal axis.

A retrieval device comprising a hook assembly and a capsule assembly. The hook assembly has an attachment feature at a first end. The capsule assembly includes a capsule, a capsule shaft, and a handle connected in series and defining an inner bore. The capsule has a first end defining an opening. The inner bore of the capsule assembly is configured to slidably receive the hook assembly. The handle has a central portion, a first extension portion attached to the capsule shaft, and a second extension portion with a hook assembly lock at a second end. The hook assembly lock is configured to lock the hook assembly to the second extension portion. The second extension portion is configured to pull the hook assembly relative to the capsule shaft, and the first extension portion is configured to push the capsule shaft relative to the hook assembly along the central longitudinal axis.

A suturing device is provided, including a needle and a shuttle. The needle has an elongated shape extending in a predetermined direction and is configured to hold a first thread-like member. The needle is reciprocally movable forward and backward in the predetermined direction and is rotatable about an axis extending in the predetermined direction. Rotation of the needle about the axis permitting the first thread-like member to cross the needle to form a loop in the first thread-like member. The shuttle includes a holding portion. The holding portion is configured to hold a second thread-like member. The shuttle is configured to permit the holding portion to pass through the loop.

Mechanical thrombectomy systems including an elongate catheter configured as an elongate inversion support, a flexible tractor configured to roll and invert over the distal end of the elongate inversion support, and a clot engaging member on the distal end of an elongate manipulator are described herein. These systems may capture a clot using the clot engaging member and draw the clot and clot engaging member and roll the flexible tractor into the catheter to remove the clot and clot engaging member from a vessel.

Described herein is conduit material that causes minimal inflammatory reaction, and serves as a structural guide for regenerating nerve tissue (e.g., axons). Thus, the invention is directed to methods of treating a nerve injury in an individual in need thereof. The methods employ an isolated, naturally occurring epineural sheath, and can be used, for example, to regenerate nerve tissue in an individual in need thereof. Also provided herein is a device for harvesting an epineural sheath.

A clip for leaflet tissue includes a substantially cylindrical hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end. In an initial configuration of the clip, the distal end has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the hollow body. The distal end is held in an expanded condition for delivery into a patient. When deployed, the distal end collapses to its initial configuration to grasp onto captured leaflet tissue.

The invention is incorporated into a tissue removal and manipulation device for vaginal hysterectomies and related surgeries. The present invention solves the suturing problem of the prior art devices by providing a device that not only can manipulate the uterus during surgery but remove the uterus without the need for suturing.