Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.

An apparatus (500) for compressing a tumor in an organ of a body of a subject for increasing pressure within the tumor until causing ischemia and/or necrosis in the tumor. The apparatus includes an elongated body (501) for reaching surface of the organ via surgical access formed in the body. The apparatus includes a tightening mechanism (502) for tightening a tension member around a volumetric portion of organ and/or the tumor. The tightening mechanism includes a pulling member (504,505) and a force manipulator unit (513) for applying a tensioning force via the pulling member to force the tension member into a tightened state. The apparatus includes a securing mechanism (503) for securing first and second portions of the tension member for maintaining the tension member in the tightened state.

An embodiment includes an artificial chordae tendineae system comprising: a first needle; a flexible first chord coupled to a proximal end portion of the first needle; a first proximal pledget coupled to a proximal end portion of the first chord; a first distal conduit coupled to the first chord between the first proximal pledget and the first needle; wherein: the first distal conduit includes first and second faces; one of the first and second faces includes a first aperture; a sidewall of the first conduit, located between the first and second faces, includes a sidewall aperture that does not directly connect to the first aperture; the sidewall aperture is configured to include a portion of the first chord when the first distal conduit is permanently implanted adjacent tissue but not when the first distal conduit is traversing the tissue before being permanently implanted adjacent the tissue.

An interrupted suture member comprises a flexible elongate member, having a first end and an opposite second end, and one or more detents configured for anchoring the suture member in soft tissue. The second end comprises a movable locking member, whereby a force exerted on the tissue may be adjusted by moving the locking member along at least a portion of the suture member. A suture needle comprising a notch for grabbing and holding an interrupted suture or a suture needle being hollow and comprising a slit sufficiently wide and long for easily insertion and guiding of a suture in the suture needle. A suturing insertion device for connecting to a suturing needle consisting two handles or a suturing apparatus comprises an arcuate suturing needle rotatably arranged in an apparatus housing, a cavity for holding a plurality of suture members, and drive means to selectively rotate said suturing needle.

Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together. The fasteners include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are substantially parallel to each other. The fasteners may be deployed in limited spaces and in various applications including the restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve.

Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland).

An embodiment includes a chordal replacement system comprising: a pledget coupled to a first suture length and at least one of a first needle and a first ferrule; a second suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a second needle; and a third suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a third needle; wherein the second and third suture lengths are not monolithic with each other and do not constitute a single suture. Other embodiments are described herein.

A device for fixating a suture anchor beyond a hard tissue opening with the aid of a material having thermoplastic properties and energy transmitted to the suture anchor for in situ liquefaction of at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties. The device includes a tool and a suture anchor. The tool has a proximal end suitable for being coupled to an energy source and a distal end suitable for arrangement of the suture anchor including the suture. The distal end includes a distal tool face and an axial channel with a distal mouth located in the distal tool face. The suture anchor has an anchor foot and a thermoplastic sleeve including the material having thermoplastic properties. The anchor foot holds a loop of a suture such that end sections of the suture reach through the thermoplastic sleeve and a portion of the distal tool face.

An apparatus can include a first flexible member having first and second ends and a first body extending therebetween, where the first body defines a first passage portion. A second flexible member can have first and second ends and a second body extending therebetween, where the second body defines second and third passage portions. The first end of the first flexible member passes into and through the second passage portion such that the first end extends outside of the second passage portion, and the second end of the first flexible member passes into and through the third passage portion such that the second end extends outside of the third passage portion. The first and second ends of the second flexible member pass into and through the first passage portion to form a self-locking adjustable flexible member construct.

Various embodiments of a cartridge are disclosed, for loading a suture onto a suturing instrument and, in some embodiments, for loading a pre-tied knot formed from the suture onto the suturing instrument. The suturing instrument is typically of the type having a suture passing member defining a suture receiving passage therein. The cartridge may be operable to load the suture and/or the knot onto the suturing instrument at a point of use. In some embodiments, the cartridge defines a path for insertion thereto and withdrawal therefrom of the suturing instrument. The cartridge further comprises a seat for releasably holding a portion of a suture and a mechanism for transferring the suture from seat to the suturing instrument, various features of which are described herein.