Repair devices and methods allow better contact between two tissues, such as tendon and bone for better healing process. The repair device is used for re-attaching and securing a torn tissue in place or realigning torn edges back together, or connecting any two tissues. The device includes a tissue attachment, a clamp and a binder and/or an anchor.

A heart implant alignment and delivery device includes an elongate body having an opening that is disposed near a distal end of the elongate body. The opening is configured so that a heart implant is positionable within the opening with the heart implant exposed to a surrounding environment and so that the heart implant is substantially aligned with the distal end of the elongate body. The device also includes an implant reposition member, such as a cable, that is releasably coupleable with the heart implant and that is operationally coupled with the elongate body so that a first operation of the implant reposition member causes the heart implant to be retractably deployed from the opening of the elongate body. The first operation of the implant reposition member may be effected via a handle mechanism that is attached to a proximal end of the elongate body.

Implants, devices, systems, and methods for achieving ligament fixation are disclosed. An implant is disclosed that includes a head member, a breakaway portion, and an anchor member. The anchor member may be coupled to the head member by the breakaway portion. The implant may be designed to fail in fatigue at the breakaway portion. The breakaway portion may thereby extend between a first end of the anchor member and a second end of the head member. The breakaway portion may comprise a circumferential groove. The groove may be configured to concentrate stress forces in situ such that a fatigue failure/fracture occurs at the groove. Insertion instruments for inserting an implant for ligament fixation are also disclosed. Methods of using an implant for achieving ligament fixation are also disclosed.

A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

An apparatus and its method of use in delivering surgical tissue connectors into an area of the body and removing the surgical tissue connectors from the body area. The tissue connectors are connected to a base which allows for easy adjustment of the tissue connectors along a cord. The base includes a locking mechanism which impinges a sliding knot in the cord, and, in alternate configurations of the locking mechanism and knot, impinges on the sliding knot to prevent sliding in a loosening direction but allow sliding in a tightening direction, or allows sliding in a loosening direction.

An apparatus for affixing a first tissue to a second tissue and methods of manufacturing and using the same. The apparatus comprises an elongated needle; a handle disposed at a proximal end of the elongated needle; a superelastic anchor disposed within the elongated needle, the anchor comprises: at least one normally-expanded elongated hook that is biased to a contracted state to fit within the elongated needle; a securing element; and an advancement mechanism triggerable by the handle and being configured to: eject the anchor out of a distal end of said elongated needle to allow the elongated hook to extend distally outward from the longitudinal axis of the elongated needle, into or beyond a tissue, and following the ejection of the anchor, eject the securing element from the apparatus to prevent movement of the anchor in at least one direction.

An anatomical tissue anchor includes a central body and tissue stabilizing arms extending outwardly from the central body. The tissue stabilizing arms are spaced apart from one another. The tissue anchor has a deployed state in which the central body defines an opening configured to allow an instrument to be passed therethrough and the tissue stabilizing arms extend radially outwardly from the central body.

System for use with tissue of a heart comprises a tissue anchor comprising an engaging head that has a coupling eyelet that defines an eyelet plane, and a helical tissue-coupling element, reversibly anchorable to the tissue, and having a central helix axis that lies on the eyelet plane. The system also comprises an anchor driver, having a distal portion that has a casing that defines a slot, the slot defining a slot plane, and dimensioned to receive at least part of the eyelet therein in a manner in which the eyelet plane is coplanar with the slot plane. The anchor driver also comprises a detent, configured to reversibly inhibit movement of the eyelet with respect to the slot. The anchor driver is configured to anchor the tissue anchor to the tissue by rotating the tissue anchor by applying a rotational force to the eyelet. Other embodiments are also provided.

The present invention relates generally to a closure system for use in surgical procedures.

A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.