This disclosure includes fasteners for coupling an implant to tissue (e.g., soft-tissue and/or bone), fabric-like implants, and assemblies with fasteners pre-loaded with implants. The present implants generally comprise at least one flexible, fibrous layer that is substantially planar in a flattened state. In some embodiments of the present assemblies for delivery of a fastener, the assembly comprises fastener cartridge, a fibrous implant wrapped around a portion of the cartridge, a fastener extending through the implant, and an elongated shield disposed around the implant and the cartridge such that the implant is retained between the cartridge and the shield. Kits comprise a plurality of fasteners pre-loaded with implants. Some of the present kits also include one or more of the present fastener-delivery apparatuses or tools; for example, a plurality of pre-loaded fasteners with a single, reloadable tool; a plurality of tools each pre-loaded with a fastener that is pre-loaded with an implant; and/or a plurality of cartridges each pre-loaded with a fastener that is pre-loaded with an implant, and a common tool for use with the cartridges.

A method of joining together two tissue layers includes positioning a tissue anchor over a first tissue layer. The tissue anchor includes a plate having top and bottom surfaces, an array of first pins projecting from the bottom surface of the plate that oppose the first tissue layer, and an array of second pins projecting from the top surface of the plate that face away from the first tissue layer. A second tissue layer is placed over the first tissue layer and the tissue anchor so that the second pins oppose the second tissue layer. The second tissue layer is pressed onto the tissue anchor and toward the first tissue layer so that the first pins advance into the first tissue layer and the second pins advance into the second tissue layer for joining together the first and second tissue layers. The plate has second pin apertures and the second pins are free to slide and move independently of one another within the second pin apertures.

Disclosed are embodiments of a method for occluding a left atrial appendage (LAA) and other cavities or openings within a body. Some embodiments of the method 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.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tissue integration device. The tissue integration device can be produced by forming a polymer mixture into a shape. The polymer mixture can include a polymer resin and a growth-promoting medium. Next, at least one polymer forming the polymer resin can be oriented in at least one direction. The shaped polymeric material can then be formed into the tissue integration device.

Embodiments related to surgical anchors are described. In some embodiments, a surgical anchor may include a selectively removable blocker which may prevent one or more barbs of the surgical anchor from engaging with adjacent tissue until the selectively removable blocker is removed.

Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has a configuration alterable by a deployment wire to permit release of the fastener from the deployment wire after deployment and without causing excessive tissue trauma.

A repair assembly and a repair assembly implantation device are provided. The repair assembly comprises a first implant, a second implant, and a wire clamping device; the first implant and the second implant each comprises a first fastener, a second fastener, a transverse tube and a locking wire; the first fastener and the second fastener are connected to the transverse tube by means of connecting wires, and the locking wire is connected to the transverse tube; the wire clamping device is configured to clamp the locking wire.

A surgical fastener assembly includes one or more arrays of fasteners, each of the fasteners including a head portion opposite to a sharp portion. Each of the head portions of the fasteners is held by a fastener head holding member. A receiver member is aligned with each of the one or more arrays of fasteners. A fluid actuator is provided for each of the one or more arrays of fasteners, and it is contractible and expandable. Each of the fluid actuators is configured to provide a force against its corresponding array of fasteners to propel the sharp portions of the fasteners towards the receiver member and also configured to provide a force to free the head portions from the fastener head holding member.

An implant, system, and method of deployment includes a plurality of anchor housings coupled to one of the proximal end or distal end of an implant frame. Each anchor housing may include an anchor sleeve disposed within a bore of the anchor housing, the anchor sleeve having a lumen extending therethrough including features disposed on an internal wall of the lumen for translatably supporting at least one anchor. Each anchor sleeve may be independently translatable within the bore of the anchor housing to control a distal extent of travel of the at least one anchor through the at least one anchor housing.

The present invention includes producing a preliminary mold (10-1 or 20-1) provided with two-dimensional patterns (111 or 211) having a shape of a microneedle array (30) therein; producing microneedle array molds (10 and 10-2 or 20 and 20-2) having a three-dimensional shape by expanding air inside the patterns (111 or 211) having a two-dimensional shape to deform the patterns (111 or 211) having the two-dimensional shape into molds having the three-dimensional shape; and after pouring a biodegradable resin into the microneedle array molds (10 and 10-2 or 20 and 20-2) and solidifying the biodegradable resin, completing the microneedle array (30) by removing the microneedle array molds (10 and 10-2 or 20 and 20-2), thereby providing a mold for production of a microneedle array and a production method of the microneedle array using the same capable of tightly suturing an affected area without inducing pain.