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.

A prosthetic heart valve may include a valve portion, a tether connected to the valve portion, and an anchor for connecting the tether to the wall of the heart. The anchor may include a flexible first disc biased toward a first shape that is convex in a first direction and a neck extending from the first disc in a second direction opposite the first direction. The neck has a first end connected to the first disc and a second end. The anchor may further include a flexible second disc connected to the second end of the neck and biased toward a second shape that is convex in the first direction. When deployed, the first and second discs sandwich the wall of the heart.

A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.

An apparatus enables concurrent restoration of a gastroesophageal valve and tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal member having a distal end arranged to be received within a stomach, a tissue shaper at the distal end of the longitudinal member that forms a gastroesophageal valve from stomach tissue, and a tissue gatherer that gathers fundus tissue at or aboral to the gastroesophageal junction to reduce an esophageal opening into the stomach and tighten the lower esophageal sphincter. A fastener deployer then deploys at least one fastener pair to maintain both the restored gastroesophageal valve and the tightened lower esophageal sphincter.

A suture anchor suitable for being fixed in 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 suture anchor includes an anchor foot and a thermoplastic sleeve, and the anchor foot includes a system of channels and/or grooves with a mouth in a proximal face of the anchor foot. The thermoplastic sleeve is arranged coaxially to the mouth. The anchor foot also includes a locking element for securing the suture in a non-slideable manner relative to the hard tissue or a securing sleeve for securing the suture. The locking element or the securing element may be secured relative to the anchor foot when the anchor foot is in a fixed state.

A first end of a wire is transluminally advanced to a location adjacent an atrium of a heart of a subject, while a second end of the wire remains disposed outside of the subject. From the location, the first end of the wire is penetrated through tissue into the atrium. A capture device is transluminally advanced into the atrium. Using the capture device, the first end of the wire is captured and pulled out of the subject. From the first end of the wire, a first anchor is tracked along the wire into the atrium, and is anchored to an annulus of a valve of the heart. A second anchor is advanced into the atrium, and is anchored to the annulus. Subsequently, the annulus is reshaped by applying tension between the first and second anchors.

A suture anchor includes a material having thermoplastic properties and is fixated in a hard tissue opening by liquefying at least part of this material and letting it penetrate into walls of the hard tissue opening. During the named fixation and preferably towards the end of it, the suture being held in a distal suture conduit is locked relative to the hard tissue by being clamped between the suture anchor and the wall of the hard tissue opening or by being clamped or braked through collapse of the suture conduit.

Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for placing a soft tissue anchor at anatomical tissue; these may be useful for general surgical procedures, veterinary procedures, plastic surgery, and for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse, incontinence, and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods.

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.

The disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, devices, and methods for treating a breathing disorder. The method comprises creating an anchor hole at a location within or subjacent to a mandible bone, and positioning an elastic elongate member through the anchor hole, the elongate member having first and second ends at an entrance of the anchor hole and a loop in a region of a pharynx. The method further comprises connecting a retractor member at or near an end of the loop of the elastic elongate member in a region of the tongue, and connecting an anchor member at or near the ends of the elastic elongate member at the entrance of the anchor hole. In the method, at least one of the elastic elongate member, the retractor member, and the anchor member interact to distribute a force on the tongue and the force prevents obstruction of an airway.