A medical device includes an elongate member configured to be at least partially disposed within a body of a patient. The elongate member has an outer surface. The outer surface of the elongate member has a first ridge and a second ridge.

A single-armed suture assembly includes a needle, a flexible suture, and a flexible sheath. The flexible suture is coupled with the needle. The flexible suture includes first and second portions. The first portion includes a plurality of first barbs having first tips extending away from the longitudinal path in either an insertion direction or in a counter insertion direction that is opposite to the insertion direction. The second portion includes a plurality of second barbs having second tips extending opposite to the first tips. The flexible sheath is configured to prevent one of the first or second tips that extend in the insertion direction from contacting tissue as the flexible sheath is being advanced in the insertion direction. The other of the first or second tips that extend in the counter insertion direction is configured to contact tissue as the flexible sheath is being advanced in the insertion direction.

A surgical retractor device holds back underlying tissue from a tissue wall when suturing through the tissue wall with a suture passer. The retractor device comprises a barrier material having an upper barrier surface for spanning between the tissue wall and the underlying tissue and which is resistant to being punctured by the suture passer. The barrier material is operable between a working position in which the upper barrier surface occupies a first prescribed area and can be positioned between the tissue wall and the underlying tissue, and a collapsed position in which the barrier material is manipulated relative to the working position such that the upper barrier surface occupies a second prescribed area that is less than the first prescribed area such that the barrier material can pass through an incision in the tissue wall.

A hernia repair device includes a mesh configured figured to extend across a tissue defect and a plurality of filaments coupled to the mesh. The filaments are coupled to the mesh in proximity of an outer periphery thereof and extend from a central portion of the mesh. Each filament includes a plurality of barbs disposed along at least a portion of the length thereof. Each filament further includes a needle disposed at a free end thereof.

A suturing device of the present invention is in the form a compact, light-weight handheld device that includes a needle and suture assembly, a mechanism for gripping and releasing the needle/suture (a needle transfer mechanism or needle shuttle mechanism), safely capturing the needle/suture upon exit from the patient's tissue, and returning the needle to a position such that the process of delivering additional sutures to the patient can be repeated. A safety shield mechanism ensures the user is protected from the needle at all times. The device of the present invention accommodates the right or left-handed user, rests comfortably in the user's hand, allows sufficient visualization of the procedure site, and permits the user to either control penetration depth of the needle or default to a device-determined depth. The present device permits the user to utilize a wrist-rotation (pivoting) suture delivery technique.

A soft tissue repair device. The device includes an inserter having a distal portion, a first anchor carried externally onto the distal portion, a second anchor carried externally onto the distal portion, and a flexible strand coupling the first and second anchors and forming an adjustable knotless loop.

A suture device comprises a shaft and a needle which creates a curved pathway for delivery of a suture. The curved needle is rotatably movable from a retracted to an extended configuration. The suture is housed in a feed channel within the shaft. The shaft also houses a suture receiving channel with an open distal end. A suture cutter is located adjacent to the suture feed channel distal end for cutting the suture, when required. The device also comprises a rotatable twisting element having a rotating shaft and a pair of radially extending arms, having through suture-receiving through holes. A heating rod in the form of a heating element is also provided to heat meld a twist when formed in the suture.

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 surgical access device includes a cannula body, an anchor, and a first suture retention mechanism. The cannula body includes a housing and an elongated portion extending distally from the housing. The elongated portion defines a longitudinal axis and a channel extending therethrough. The anchor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the elongated portion of the cannula body and is longitudinally translatable relative to the elongated portion. The first suture retention mechanism extends laterally from the anchor. A suture-receiving channel is defined between a portion of the suture retention mechanism and a portion of the anchor.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of devices, systems and methods for suturing biological tissue incorporating one or more suture spools. The suture spools can be located external to a handle or elongate body of a suturing device, and can contain the sutures within an inner circumference of the suture spools. The suture spools can be configured to reduce entanglement of sutures during use in an operation.