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.

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.

A method of valve implantation includes installing a leaflet lasso on a host leaflet assembly at an implantation site within a patient's body. The method includes positioning an expandable prosthetic heart valve in a crimped state within a central region of the host leaflet assembly. The method includes radially expanding the prosthetic heart valve to a working diameter. During at least a portion of radially expanding the prosthetic heart valve, the prosthetic heart valve contacts a central lasso portion of the leaflet lasso and applies a radial force to the central lasso portion that results in folding of at least one leaflet of the leaflet assembly.

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.

Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of morbid obesity using minimally invasive techniques. The apparatus includes a system of components that may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines, reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines and/or depositing minimally or undigested food farther than normal into the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal responses. The components described include an artificial stoma device, a gastric sleeve device, an intestinal sleeve device, a combined gastrointestinal sleeve device and permanent and detachable attachment systems. Also described are devices for delivering and deploying the components of the system.

A connection rod for a tongue manipulation device system, the connection rod comprising: a first coupling part (307) configured to couple the distal end of the connection rod to a tongue advancer (305); a second coupling part (309) configured to couple the proximal end of the connection rod to an implant tool (101) or a removal tool (1601), wherein the connection rod is configured to transmit a tension or pulling force from the implant tool (101) or the removal tool (1601) to the tongue advancer (305) such that the tongue advancer is configured to be retracted within the implant tool (101) or removal tool (1601) respectively.

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 anchor delivery tool is described. The tool includes a shaft and a handle coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft. The handle includes a hub, with a knob and a nose cone coupled to the hub. The knob and nose cone may be spring loaded so as to selectively retain a length of suture disposed therebetween. The tool further includes an anchor, such as a suture anchor, coupled to a distal portion of the shaft.

The present invention is directed to 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. Svlore specifically, the present invention is directed to a surgical tissue connector apparatus having at least two tissue connectors connected by a length of cord and a delivery and removal tube. At least one of the tissue connectors has a base with a tapered, beveled or chamfered surface projecting from one end of the base. A hook or other type of tissue connector projects from the opposite side of the base. The hook is positioned on the base where a peripheral side surface of the base shields the hook from unintentionally snagging objects. The base peripheral surface is also dimensioned to slide easily through an interior bore of the tube. This enables the base and the projecting hook to be easily delivered through the tube into an area of the body. The chamfered or tapered surface on the base is positioned to engage with the distal end opening of the tube and direct the base into the center of the tube as the surgical tissue connector is retracted info the tube from the body area in removing the apparatus from the abdominal cavity.

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.