A tissue fixation device includes an elongated body extending between a distal portion including a barbed loop, and a proximal portion including a blunt tip. The elongated body, proximal portion, and distal portion are provided in a variety of configurations depending upon the performance requirements desired of the tissue fixation device for the envisaged application of use.

An end effector including an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a deck having steps defined thereon for compressing tissue positioned between the anvil and the staple cartridge assembly to different pressures. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises staples having different unformed heights removably stored therein. The staples are deformed against the anvil to different formed heights.

A needle and suture assembly is provided for use with an endoscopic suturing device with a needle holder arm. The needle assembly includes a needle tip and a needle body. The needle tip has a sharp end. The needle body is tubular and has first and second ends and flexible tab retainers adjacent the second end for retaining the needle body relative to the needle holder arm. The tab retainers elastically deform to allow the needle body to be released from the needle holder arm upon application of force therebetween. The needle body has a suture opening located between the first end and the retainers. A suture extends into the suture opening of the needle body and is fixed therein.

Devices and methods for occluding or promoting fluid flow through openings are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment an occlusion device is provided having an expandable outer elongate tubular body, a guide member extending from a distal end of the outer body, and a slide tube disposed within the outer body, the proximal portions of the outer body and the slide tube being fixedly mated. The slide tube is configured to slide distally within the outer tubular body when the tubular body is expanded to form wings. A tether can be included as part of the device and it can be used to assist in positioning and locking a location of the device in an opening. Exemplary methods for delivering devices disclosed herein are also provided.

A wound closure device includes a filamentary element having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of barbs extending outwardly from the filamentary element. Each barb has a base connected with the filamentary element, a tip spaced from the base, and an outer edge that extends between the base and the tip. The outer edge includes a first section having a concave surface that extends between the base and a transition point of the barb and a second section having a convex surface that extends between the transition point of the barb and the tip of the barb. The outer edge transforms from the concave surface of the first section to the convex curve of the second section at the transition point of the barb. The tip of the barb has a convexly curved surface facing the distal end of the filamentary element. The unique dual radius shape of the outer edge of the barbs and the tips of the barbs minimizes resistance when the filamentary element is pulled in a first direction through tissue and maximizes resistance to movement when the filamentary element is pulled in an opposite, second direction through tissue for holding the wound closure device stationary.

Meniscal repair devices, systems, and methods are provided.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a system for repairing a meniscus including: a suture assembly including a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible suture connecting the first anchor and the second anchor, the flexible suture including a slide knot between the first anchor and the second anchor; and an inserter including a needle having a longitudinal extending bore and an open distal end, the bore being configured to receive the first anchor and the second anchor, a housing operatively connected to a proximal end of the needle, the housing having a lumen and a slot, the slot including a first portion, a second portion, a first shoulder and a second shoulder and a pusher configured to rotate and slide within the lumen of the housing and the longitudinal extending bore of the needle, the pusher having an extension extending through the slot and configured to be maneuverable through the first portion and second portion and engageable with the first shoulder and second shoulder.

Surgical devices and methods are provided for anchoring tissue to bone, and more particularly methods and devices are provided for preventing over-insertion of an expander into a sheath of a two-piece anchor. For example, a tendon anchoring system is provided with an anchor assembly and an inserter tool. The anchor assembly includes a sheath with a threaded lumen and a threaded expander screw configured to be threadably disposed within the sheath to cause the sheath to expand outward. The inserter tool includes an elongate outer shaft with a distal end configured to couple to a proximal end of the sheath, and an elongate inner shaft with a distal drive tip configured to engage a proximal end of the expander screw. In one embodiment, the inner shaft can be rotatable relative to the outer shaft to thread the expander screw into the sheath, and the inner shaft can be prevented from rotating relative to the outer shaft when the expander screw is fully threaded into the sheath to prevent over-insertion of the expander screw into the sheath.

The present disclosure provides embodiments of a method for improving coaptation of the anterior and posterior mitral valve leaflets by applying a remodeling force to the posterior leaflet. In particular embodiments, a tension member is secured at a location on or proximate to the posterior leaflet. Tension can be applied to the tension member in a direction superiorly and anteriorly toward the interatrial septum. The tension member can be secured at a location proximate the septum to maintain the tension. The tension provides the remodeling force, pulling the posterior leaflet superiorly and anteriorly to improve coaptation with the anterior leaflet.

The present teachings provide methods for resizing, reducing, and closing left atrial appendage. Specifically, a percutaneous trans-septal access is first established from outside the body to a patient's LAA. At least two tissue anchors are then implanted inside the LAA chamber and along the tissue wall. At least one anchor is implanted near the opening of the LAA camber. Both tissue anchors are pulled together so that the wall of the LAA chamber collapse. The LAA chamber is therefore resized, reduced, and/or closed off completely. This closure method and system could be used alone in closing LAA chamber. This closure method and system could also be used in addition to other treatment mechanisms, such as filling the LAA chamber with space-filling material, then closing off its opening.