A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a plurality of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The staples comprise staple legs which extend from a staple base portion. The staple legs comprise staple tips configured to pierce tissue and contact a corresponding forming pocket of an anvil of surgical stapling instrument. The staples further comprise zones having different hardnesses.

A ventricular partitioning device for isolating damaged tissue within a ventricle of the heart is disclosed. The ventricular partitioning device includes a disk-shaped portion configured to isolate a portion of a ventricular wall to facilitate remodeling of the ventricular wall. The device further includes an anchor configured to secure the device to the ventricular wall.

This disclosure is directed to methods for reconstructing an unstable triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). Exemplary methods include preparing, delivering, and fixating a graft within a distal radioulnar joint in a manner that restores the functionality to the TFCC, thereby improving the joint kinematics of the radioulnar joint.

A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. A bone engaging fastener is coupled to bone. A second fastener is coupled to a suture construction. The second fastener is coupled to the first fastener. Soft tissue is coupled to the suture construction.

A bariatric device includes an esophageal member having an esophageal surface that is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the esophagus and an anchoring technique anchoring the esophageal member to the portion of the esophagus. The bariatric device includes a cardiac member having a cardiac surface that is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach and a connector connected with the esophageal member and the cardiac member to cause strain to be applied by the cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach. The strain applied by the cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach causes satiety in the absence of food. The connector is adapted to pass through the gastroesophageal junction while leaving a continuous portion of the gastroesophageal junction substantially unrestrained.

A system and associated method for altering or destroying tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders. In one aspect, the system includes a device configured to deploy devices for altering the lobes of a prostate.

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.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for suturing tissue is provided that includes a body having a proximate end and a distal end. A suturing head is coupled to the distal end of the body, including a first set of curved needles, a second set of curved needles, and a plurality of sutures. A first end of a suture is coupled to one of the curved needles of the first set. A second end of the suture is coupled to one of the curved needles of the second set. The curved needles of the first set are oppositely oriented to the curved needles of the second set. The suturing head can be positioned between two substantially parallel sections of tissue. An actuator is coupled to the body to deploy the first and second sets of curved needles.

A surgical pad can comprise a flexible pad portion configured to be positioned over an opening in a target tissue. A plurality of elongate ribs can be distributed across a surface of the flexible pad portion oriented away from the target tissue and can be coupled to the flexible pad portion. A surgical pad can comprise a central opening configured to be aligned with an opening in a target tissue, and a plurality of edge openings distributed around an outer edge portion. A method can comprise positioning a spacer between a target tissue and a surgical pad to adjust the tension of surgical cords secured to surgical pad. A method can comprise positioning a spacer between a surface of a surgical pad oriented away from a target tissue and portions of surgical cords secured over the surface of the surgical pad, to adjust the tension of the surgical cords.

A surgical tool assembly includes a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, a first prong distal to and fixed relative to the shaft, and a second prong distal to and fixed relative to the shaft. A first anchor is disposed on the first prong, and a second anchor is disposed on the second prong. A first suture interconnects the first anchor and the second anchor.