An assembly includes a flexible fixation member, a suture, and a delivery device. The fixation member includes a body with two terminal ends. A suture passes through the flexible fixation member at various points along a length of the body such that portions of the fixation member are slidable relative to the suture and configurable to form a cluster within a surgical site. The delivery device includes a tubular member, an elongated inserter, and a trigger. The elongated inserter is slidably disposed within the tubular member. The inserter has a forked distal end configured to receive a portion of the flexible fixation member and the suture. The trigger is finger-engagable and fixedly coupled to the proximal end of the inserter. It is configured to advance and retract the inserter relative to the tubular member. The trigger includes a retention member for retaining a proximal end portion of the suture.

Devices are provided for a suturing device used during laparoscopic surgical procedures. A suturing needle includes a shaft forming a rod axis; a curved body having a piercing tip at a first end and a base at a second end; and an arm extending from the shaft to the base of the curved body such that the curved body is rotatable about the shaft. The suturing device includes a housing, a suturing needle, one or more sutures, a suture magazine configured to hold the one or more sutures, and a drive system, whereby the drive system may actuate the suturing needle to rotate, allowing the suturing needle to drive into and out of tissue to apply a suture.

Devices and methods for closing access points in tissue are described. The devices include a tubular element fabricated form, for example, biologic material, a biologic tubular structure, or synthetic material. Using minimally invasive procedures, the devices and methods described herein allow implantation of the tubular element through the access point or wound such that it traverses the tissue. The tube has a sealed end which prevents leakage of fluid from, for example, the heart or a vessel upon securing the tube to the tissue.

A method for suture lacing includes providing a suture with a needle attached thereto, inserting the needle and suture into an organ through a passageway, throwing a single stitch through a first tissue member, throwing a single stitch through an opposed and spaced apart second tissue member, repeating the preceding step at least once, bringing the first and second tissue members in contact by tensioning the suture, whereby suture drag is minimized during the tensioning and even tissue compression substantially achieved, and securing the suture.

Disclosed is a three-in-one suturing device for closing a cannula hole, belonging to the field of medical instruments and solving the troublesome suturing problem in laparoscopic surgery. The cannula hole is closed in a quick, effective and safe manner by means of the cooperation of a pull hook, a suture needle and a fishbone thread. In the entire threading process, the needle tip only needs to penetrate the human body without going out of the human body; therefore, the operation difficulty and time of the cannula hole suturing surgery are reduced; and the fishbone thread is used to suture the cannula hole from the bottom of the suture portion.

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.

An elongate shaft assembly for use with a stitching device includes a hub assembly and an end effector. The hub assembly includes insertion and engaging portions. The insertion portion includes a main rod, a rotatable hub operatively coupled with the main rod such that axial displacement of the main rod rotates the rotatable hub, and first and second arms operatively coupled with the rotatable hub such that rotation of the rotatable hub causes reciprocating axial displacement of the first and second arms. The engaging portion is movable relative to the insertion portion between a reload position in which the rotatable hub is in a distal-most position and rotatable independent of axial displacement of the main rod, and a loaded position in which axial displacement of the main rod rotates the rotatable hub.

The present invention provides methods and devices for grasping, and optional repositioning and fixation of the valve leaflets to treat cardiac valve regurgitation, particularly mitral valve regurgitation. Such grasping will typically be atraumatic providing a number of benefits. For example, atraumatic grasping may allow repositioning of the devices relative to the leaflets and repositioning of the leaflets themselves without damage to the leaflets. However, in some cases it may be necessary or desired to include grasping which pierces or otherwise permanently affects the leaflets. In some of these cases, the grasping step includes fixation.

A device for suturing an anatomic valve can comprise an elongate body, a suture catch mechanism and a suture clasp arm. The suture catch mechanism can be operatively coupled to the elongate body for movement between a retracted position and an advanced position. The suture clasp arm can be attached to the elongate body for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The suture clasp arm can comprise a suture clasp configured to releasably retain a suture portion. In some embodiments, the suture clasp is positioned on the suture clasp arm such that the suture catch mechanism retrieves the suture portion from the suture clasp arm while the arm is at least partially retracted. In some embodiments, the suture clasp arm can be closed about a tissue portion without damaging the tissue portion.

A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end, A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.