Various embodiments of anchors are configured to be inserted into a heart wall of a patient to anchor a suture as an artificial chordae under an appropriate tension for proper valve function. Each of the disclosed anchor embodiments “toggles” from a first position for delivery of the anchor to the heart wall and a second position for insertion of the anchor into the heart wall. In some embodiments, it is the “toggle” to the second position that provides the insertion force for inserting the anchor into the heart muscle sufficient to retain the anchor from accidental withdrawal from the heart wall during normal valve operation (e.g., when a valve leaflet pulls on the suture attached to the anchor during systole). Such anchors are particularly suitable for use in intravascular, transcatheter procedures as described above given the inherent difficulties in providing sufficient force for insertion of an anchor into the heart wall with a flexible catheter.

A bone or tissue repair device can deploy first and second anchors from a distal end of a bore of a needle. A cylindrical first anchor can be disposed in the bore proximal to a distal end of the bore. A cylindrical second anchor can be disposed in the bore proximal to the first anchor. A pusher wire can include teeth positioned at a distal end of the pusher wire. The pusher wire and teeth can be configured to engage an interior of the first anchor; advance distally, with respect to the needle, to force the first anchor distally out of the bore; retract proximally, with respect to the needle and the second anchor, to position the teeth inside an interior of the second anchor; engage the interior of the second anchor; and advance distally, with respect to the needle, to force the second anchor distally out of the bore.

Described herein is a simplified placement system and method for a tissue graft anchor by which a surgeon may introduce one or more sutures into a hole in a boney tissue, apply a precise amount of tension to the sutures to advance a soft tissue graft to a desired location, and then advance the anchor into the bone, preferably while maintaining the requisite pre-determined suture tension and without introducing spin to the suture. Particularly preferred embodiments allow for the one-handed operation. To that end, embodiments in which relative axial movement between the inner tensioning device and outer driver device is optionally physically constrained, for example by means of cooperating and/or compressive elements disposed in the respective hub and handle portions, are described herein.

A laparoscopic port closure device is described. The device allows for the deployment of a suture internally into an abdominal wall and the subsequent use of that deployed suture to effect a closing of the wound that was used for the port. The deployed suture may be used during the surgical procedure to effect a securing or anchoring of the device.

A suture anchor has a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough with one or more purchase enhancements on an exterior surface of the body adapted to enhance purchase of the body within a bone hole. These are preferably screw threads. A distal nose of the suture body has a smooth exterior surface. A length of suture passes down along the exterior surface over the purchase enhancements, over the distal nose, and up into the bore. The smooth exterior surface of the distal nose allows tension of the suture to be held by the engagement of the nose within the bone hole thus making it easier to obtain proper tension as the remaining portion is engaged into the bone hole to provide final fixation.

A bone anchor delivery system device (10) has a retractable punch driver assembly and a locking mechanism (32). The punch driver assembly has a retractable punch shaft (30) and a guide (20) for receiving the retractable punch shaft (30). The guide (20) is rotatable relative to the punch shaft (30) and the shaft has an extended length with bone penetrating tip (35) at a first end (33). The locking mechanism (32) for locking the retractable punch shaft (30) from linear movement and rotational movement relative to the guide (20) is positioned at an opposite second end. The retractable punch shaft (30) has a reduced diameter end (33) extending from the tip (35) toward a shoulder stop for receiving a releasable punch (12). The releasable punch (12) has a hollow opening for receiving the reduced diameter end (33) of the punch shaft (30). The punch (12) is profiled to pierce and form a bone anchor hole.

An implantable orthopedic repair device includes an implant body having a rigid tubular shape which defines an inner lumen and an orthogonal suture side hole in communication with the inner lumen. The implantable orthopedic repair device includes a tension assembly that is supported by the inner lumen and suture side hole of the implant body. The tension assembly includes a suture loop which defines a suture tail and a sliding knot that when tensioned contracts at least one bone anchor, independent of the implant body, unidirectionally towards the implant body.

A suture anchor includes a threaded anchor body having a first central bore in communication with a second central bore. The suture anchor includes an internal eyelet formed of a loop disposed at least partially inside the first central bore. The ends extending from the loop are tied together to form at least one knot which is housed in the second central bore provided at the distal end of the anchor body. The knot increases the pullout strength of the suture even in soft bone, provides increased suture fixation, and eliminates the anchor “pull back.”

Apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, the apparatus comprising: an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the lumen comprising a first section and a second section, the first section of the lumen being disposed distal to the second section of the lumen, and with the first section of the lumen having a wider diameter than the second section of the lumen; at least one longitudinally-extending slit extending through the side wall of the elongated body and communicating with the lumen, the at least one longitudinally-extending slit having a distal end and a proximal end, with the distal end of the at least one longitudinally-extending slit being spaced from the distal end of the elongated body; and an elongated element extending through the lumen of the elongated body.

Suture constructs and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs. The suture construct is a soft, suture-based anchor which is self-cinching and has a specific, accordion-type configuration (i.e., with the ability to fold from a first, extended position to a second, folded or compressed position). The suture-based anchor may be formed essentially of a flexible material such as a high strength surgical suture, suture chain, or suture.