A bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus including an intervertebral cage for maintaining disc height, and a method of inserting the same is provided. The intervertebral cage includes a first internal screw guide and a second internal screw guide, a first screw member and a second screw member, and a central screw locking lever coupled to the intervertebral cage, wherein the central screw locking lever prevents the first screw member and the second screw from pulling-out of the first internal screw guide and the second internal screw guide. The central screw locking lever includes a rotatable handle and stem portion, or a screw locking horizontal bracket. A pliers device for inserting and removing the bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus, a posterior cervical and lumbar facet joint staple, and a staple gun for a posterior cervical and lumbar facet joint staple also are provided.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to closure of a stoma with a structure continuously formed in vivo. In an illustrative example, a stoma closure tool (SCT) may include a drive module, a phase transition inducement module (PTIM), and a conduit that defines a lumen. A distal end of the conduit may, for example, be inserted through a first tissue and into a second tissue that together at least partially define a stoma. A flow rate of a fluid biomaterial through the lumen and discharged at the distal end of the conduit may, for example, be controlled by the drive module. A fluid to solid phase transition in the biomaterial may, for example, be controllably induced by the PTIM. Various embodiments may, for example, advantageously form a continuous structure extending directly across the stoma between a proximal anchor in the first tissue and a distal anchor in the second tissue.

Devices, systems and/or methods for fixating soft tissue to bone are provided. In one embodiment, a repair device for fixating soft tissue to bone with a bone anchor includes a soft tissue anchor and one or more flexible members. The soft tissue anchor includes a base with multiple legs extending from the base. The one or more flexible members are coupled to the base and configured to extend from the base to the bone anchor with a fixed length. With this arrangement, the fixed length of the one or more flexible members is configured to maintain a substantially fixed pre-determined distance between the soft tissue anchor and the bone anchor such that, as the bone anchor is seated into bone, the one or more flexible members pulls the soft tissue anchor down against the soft tissue to fixate the soft tissue to the bone.

A surgical tissue connector system for moving a first internal body tissue to a position away from a second internal body tissue and then holding the first internal body tissue in the position. Tissue connectors are secured to cords such that the length of cord between the tissue connectors can be easily adjusted in a laparoscopic work space.

The present invention comprises a device and system for delivering implantable bodies for anchoring human tissue and bony anatomy. The system may comprise a housing with a handle, an advancement mechanism, a hollow shaft, and a plurality of implant bodies. The present invention also describes a fixation device, such as a dart, staple, screw, or rivet so that the housing includes a handle comprising a lever or trigger for advancing implants, and optionally comprising a second lever or trigger for a second operation. The surgical device may also include an impacting mechanism and a manual advancing mechanism for advancing an elongated body into and through bone, with an optionally reverse setting which changes the direction to retract the elongated body. The invention further includes methods for using the surgical device.

Disclosed are embodiments of a device for occluding a left atrial appendage (LAA) and other cavities or openings within a body. Some embodiments of the device can include an implant configured to be deployed within the LAA or other cavity, configured to be expanded or moved against a wall portion of the LAA or other cavity, and configured to twist at least a portion of the LAA or other cavity when the implant is rotated. Thereafter, one or more securing elements, staples, sutures, or other fasteners can be implanted in the gathered tissue to hold the tissue in the gathered state, thereby occluding the opening of the LAA or other cavity. In some embodiments, the opening of the LAA or other cavity can be occluded by elongating or otherwise reshaping the opening using an implant device, and securing the opening in the occluded state.

Techniques for mesh augmentation and prevention of incisional hernia, including systems and methods for affixing mesh to a fascial incision. A mesh strip can be integrated with one or more uni-directional fasteners. Each fastener can include an anchoring mechanism adapted for affixation to anterior abdominal wall fascia and a mating interface. An applicator can include tension arms adapted to interface with the mating interfaces of the fasteners to maintain a vertical tension of the mesh strip and a handle coupled with the tension arms adapted to spread the tension arms and thereby control a horizontal tension of the mesh strip. The mesh strip can be configured to be aligned over a fascial incision using the applicator and affixed under tension to anterior abdominal wall fascia by tissue penetration of the anchoring mechanisms of the one or more fasteners.

Apparatus and methods are described including a prosthetic valve support (40) configured to be placed at a patient's native atrioventricular valve annulus. The valve support defines an annular element (44) that defines an inner cross-sectional area thereof. An expandable prosthetic valve (80) is placed into the patient's ventricle, the prosthetic valve including an expandable frame (79) and prosthetic valve leaflets (82) coupled to the frame. When the frame is in a non-constrained state thereof, a cross-sectional area of the frame, along at least a given portion L of the frame's length, is greater than the cross-sectional area defined by the annular element. The prosthetic valve is couplable to the prosthetic valve support at any location along the portion, by the frame being expanded when the location along the portion is aligned with the annular element. Other applications are also described.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to tissue anchors and methods of delivering same to the intervertebral disc or other sites within the body. In some embodiments, the anchors provide pull-out resistance, stability and/or maximize contact with tissue involving a minimum amount of penetration. In some embodiments, delivery methods are minimally invasive and include linear, lateral, and off-angle implantation or driving of anchors along, against or within tissue surfaces.

A method is described for use at a valve of a heart of a subject, the valve having an annulus, and the heart having an atrium upstream of the valve. A distal end of a manipulator is transluminally advanced into the atrium. A first part of an implant that includes an elongated contracting member is anchored to a first site on the annulus using the manipulator. The distal end of the manipulator is then pointed at a second site on the annulus such that a central longitudinal axis of the manipulator is disposed at an angle of 45-90 degrees with respect to a surface of the annulus. A second part of the implant is then anchored to the second site using the manipulator. Subsequently, the first site and the second site are drawn together by applying tension to the contracting member. Other embodiments are also described.