A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, and a firing member. The firing member is configured to directly engage the staples to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The firing member includes one or more channels and/or rails configured to orient the staples before, during, and/or after the staples contact an anvil positioned opposite the staple cartridge.

A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a plurality of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The staples comprise staple legs which extend from a staple base portion. The staple legs comprise staple tips configured to pierce tissue and contact a corresponding forming pocket of an anvil of surgical stapling instrument. The staples further comprise zones having different hardnesses.

A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a strip of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The strip of staples comprises a plurality of staples, a base strip, and a plurality of connector portions joining the staples to the base strip.

A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a plurality of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The staples comprise staple legs which extend from a staple base portion. The staple legs comprise staple tips configured to pierce tissue and contact a corresponding forming pocket of an anvil of surgical stapling instrument. The staples further comprise zones having different hardnesses.

A staple cartridge assembly including staples is disclosed herein. The staples comprise features which improve the biocompatibility and/or bioabsorption of the staples. The staples are comprised of a magnesium alloy, for example. The magnesium alloy can also include zinc. In certain instances, a bioabsorbable polymer is coated on part of, but not all of, the staple. Portions of the staple that are not coated by the bioabsorbable polymer will be absorbed at a first rate while portions of the staple that are coated by the bioabsorbable polymer will be absorbed at a slower rate. In various instances, the tips of the magnesium staples are coated with magnesium nitride and/or any other suitable material which can increase the hardness of the staples. In certain instances, the staples are coated in silver. In some instances, the staples include one or more apertures defined therein.

In some embodiments, a method for delivery and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve into a heart includes inserting an introducer sheath having a prosthetic mitral valve disposed therein in a collapsed configuration into the left atrium of a patient's heart, through a gap between the native mitral valve leaflets, the left ventricle and apex of the heart. An epicardial pad device coupled to the prosthetic valve via a tether is moved distally out of the sheath. The introducer sheath is withdrawn into the left atrium of the heart. An inner delivery sheath is extended distally from within the introducer sheath and disposed within the left atrium. The prosthetic mitral valve is moved distally out of the inner delivery sheath and assumes a biased expanded configuration. The valve is positioned within the mitral annulus of the heart, and secured in place via the tether and epicardial pad device.

A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a plurality of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The staples comprise staple legs which extend from a staple base portion. The staple legs comprise staple tips configured to pierce tissue and contact a corresponding forming pocket of an anvil of surgical stapling instrument. The staples further comprise zones having different hardnesses.

In some embodiments, a method for delivery and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve into a heart includes inserting an introducer sheath having a prosthetic mitral valve disposed therein in a collapsed configuration into the left atrium of a patient's heart, through a gap between the native mitral valve leaflets, the left ventricle and apex of the heart. An epicardial pad device coupled to the prosthetic valve via a tether is moved distally out of the sheath. The introducer sheath is withdrawn into the left atrium of the heart. An inner delivery sheath is extended distally from within the introducer sheath and disposed within the left atrium. The prosthetic mitral valve is moved distally out of the inner delivery sheath and assumes a biased expanded configuration. The valve is positioned within the mitral annulus of the heart, and secured in place via the tether and epicardial pad device.

An apparatus includes a locking portion, a flexible pulling portion, a flexible body, and a plurality of barb features extending laterally from the body. The locking portion is configured to receive the pulling portion. The pulling portion is configured to engage and translate relative to the locking portion after the locking portion has received the pulling portion. The flexible body extends from the locking portion to the pulling portion. The flexible body is configured to form a loop when the pulling portion engages the locking portion. The loop is configured to decrease in size in response to pulling of the pulling portion relative to the locking portion. The barb features are configured to engage a tubular region of tissue and thereby form pleats in the tubular region of tissue.

A distal tip for a suture securing tube is disclosed. The distal tip has a flared distal end and a distal opening in the flared distal end. The distal tip also has a tube interface opening in a proximal end. The distal tip further has a channel coupling the distal opening to the tube interface opening. The distal tip also has one or more crimp windows.