A connection tool for a tongue manipulation device system includes a connector for coupling to a tongue advancer tether, a tension meter coupled to the connector, and a tensioner for applying a tension or pulling force to the connector via the tension meter. The tension meter is further configured to indicate when a determined tension or pulling force is applied to the connector such that the tongue advancer tether is kept taut.

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 unit, a clamp and a binder and/or an anchor.

A tissue anchor includes a central body extending between a first lengthwise end and a second lengthwise end. A first arm extends outwardly from the central body, and a second arm extends outwardly from the central body and spaced from the first arm. The tissue anchor is movable between a collapsed state and a deployed state. In the collapsed state, the central body extends linearly from the first lengthwise end to the second lengthwise end of the central body along an axis and the first and second arms extend parallel to the axis. In the deployed state, the central body extends non-linearly and the first and second arms extend radially outwardly from the central body.

An apparatus for anchoring one or more tensile members to bone includes: an anchor, including: a housing having a hollow interior, and including a body portion and an extension portion interconnected by a breakaway structure configured to retain structural integrity under a first predetermined tensile load and to separate under a second predetermined tensile load which is greater than the first predetermined tensile load; a collet disposed in the hollow interior, the collet having a peripheral wall defining a central bore for accepting one or more tensile members therethrough; a sleeve having a peripheral wall and being disposed in the hollow interior of the housing, so as to be movable parallel to the central axis; and wherein the sleeve and the collet are arranged such that axial movement of the sleeve will cause the collet to swage radially inwards around and against the one or more tensile members.

A method for anchoring one or more tensile members to bone includes: providing an anchor, including: a housing including a body portion and an extension portion interconnected by a breakaway structure which is configured to retain structural integrity under a first predetermined tensile load and to separate under a second predetermined tensile load which is greater than the first predetermined tensile load; a collet disposed in the hollow interior; and a sleeve movable parallel to the central axis between first and second positions; passing one or more tensile members through a central bore of the collet; seating the housing into a bore formed in the bone; and driving the sleeve from the first position towards the second position under the first predetermined tensile load, so as to swage the collet around the one or more tensile members.

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.

A connection tool for a tongue manipulation system includes a connector configured to be coupled to a tongue advancer tether, a connection tool body, and a separable removal cannula part. The separable removal cannula part is configured to follow a tongue advancer tether line in order to enable a removal sleeve located at least partially within the separable removal cannula part to contact the tongue advancer. The separable removal cannula part is configured to be separated from the connection tool body following the removal sleeve contacting the tongue advancer and to expose a proximal end of the removal sleeve.

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 anchoring system can use an implant delivery device to deploy an implant into a pre-drilled bore, to secure one or more sutures between a threaded outer surface of an implant body and a wall of the bore. The implant delivery device can controllably rotate the implant about its longitudinal axis. The implant delivery device can include a projection extending distally from a distal end of an inner shaft The implant delivery device can controllably translate a wire between a distally extended position, at which the wire can form a closed loop with the projection and a distal end of the inner shaft, and a proximally retracted position, at which the wire can be at least partially retracted into the distal end of the inner shaft.

Tools and methods for removing anchors from medical leads involve a guide portion and a blade. The lead is inserted within a lead passageway of the guide portion of the tool and the tool is moved along so that the blade contacts the anchor and cuts a slit in the anchor as the tool. Once the blade has cut the slit through the entire anchor, the anchor comes free of the lead and the tool can be removed. The tool may include a manner of opening and closing the guide portion so as to provide access to the lead when open and to contain the lead when closed. Opening the guide portion allows the lead to be inserted or removed by laterally moving the lead into or out of the lead passageway such that the tool may be installed or removed at any available point along the lead.