A device is for anchoring a suture to a bone. The device includes a suture engaged with an elastically deformable ring biased toward an unstressed state in which an outer diameter of the ring is D. The ring is compressible for insertion through a hole in a bone stabilization device having a diameter smaller than the diameter D.

An example anchor-manipulation tool includes (i) at a distal portion of the tool, an anchor-engaging element and an actuator, (ii) at an extracorporeal proximal portion of the tool, a controller, and (iii) a flexible longitudinal member extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The distal portion of the tool can be transluminally advanced to an anchor that is intracorporeally implanted in a subject. Subsequently, the anchor-engaging element can be engaged with an eyelet defined by a head of the anchor. Subsequently, the controller can be used to transition the tool into an articulatably-coupled state in which: (i) the eyelet at least in part inhibits movement of the anchor-engaging element away from the anchor, and (ii) the distal portion of the anchor-manipulation tool is deflectable with respect to the anchor. Subsequently, the anchor can be de-anchored by using the anchor-manipulation tool to apply a de-anchoring force to the eyelet.

A soft anchor assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a sheath, a first flexible strand affixed as non-sliding relative to the sheath and a second flexible strand slidable relative to the sheath.

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.

Embodiments may include fixation devices and methods for securing first and second body tissue portions. Fixation devices may include a base component, an insert component, and a flexible member. The base component may include a passage. The insert component may be positionable within at least a portion of the passage. The elongate member may be configured to be positioned through the first and second body tissue portions. The elongate member may be tensioned and pinched between the base component and insert component to secure the first and second portions.

A first element (91) includes a first arm (92) and a second arm coupled thereto and having a concavity (103) facing the first arm and defining a space (96). In an open state, a tissue anchor portion (46) moves into the space through a gap between distal portions (94) of the first and second arms. In the closed state, the anchor portion is not movable through the gap. A second element (82) is movable with respect to the first element, such that, while the portion (46) of the anchor (40) is within the space, and the first element is in the closed state, in a first position of the second element, the portion of the anchor is movable within the space, and in a second position of the second element, the second element applies torque to the anchor by rotating the second element. Other embodiments are also described.

Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Various surgical tissue anchor retention mechanisms, systems and methods are provided. The mechanisms, systems and methods can include a delivery tool or needle having a flex joint, a snap-fit, a cam and follower, a rotating tip, an expandable lock, a coil, an inverted collet, a tab, a buckling tube, an inflation element or like anchor retention or securement features.

Methods of treating COPD, including bronchoscopically positioning a lung anchor in lung tissue, positioning an outer implant member in pleural space proximate the lung anchor, and coupling the lung anchor to the outer implant member and thereby compressing lung tissue.

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.