Depth penetration limiters for use with meniscal repair devices which have a built-in, self-stopper feature to prevent the limiter from disengaging from the device housing. The self-stopper feature is a cantilevered flexure on a bottom surface of the limiter that deflects as it is moved through the housing. As the flexure passes the edge of a recess in the housing, the flexure returns to its original shape, trapping the flexure within the recess and preventing further distal movement of the limiter/depth tube. A connection feature on the limiter provides increased pull-off resistance of the depth tube from the limiter.

A system, including a needle guide defining a path of travel of a needle inserted through the guide, and a tissue manipulator configured to approximate tissue and said needle guide and to position at least a portion of the tissue in the path of travel of the needle, and wherein the tissue manipulator and the needle guide are alignable such that the path of travel crosses a same surface of the tissue a plurality of times.

A soft tissue repair device. The device includes an inserter having a distal portion, a first anchor carried externally onto the distal portion, a second anchor carried externally onto the distal portion, and a flexible strand coupling the first and second anchors and forming an adjustable knotless loop.

Various embodiments of a cartridge are disclosed, for loading a suture onto a suturing instrument and, in some embodiments, for loading a pre-tied knot formed from the suture onto the suturing instrument. The suturing instrument is typically of the type having a suture passing member defining a suture receiving passage therein. The cartridge may be operable to load the suture and/or the knot onto the suturing instrument at a point of use. In some embodiments, the cartridge defines a path for insertion thereto and withdrawal therefrom of the suturing instrument. The cartridge further comprises a seat for releasably holding a portion of a suture and a mechanism for transferring the suture from seat to the suturing instrument, various features of which are described herein.

A surgical instrument system comprising a handle, a shaft, and a disposable power module is disclosed. The handle comprises a motor, a control switch, and a motor-control processor which is in communication with the control switch. In various instances, the disposable power module comprises a disposable battery and a display unit configured to indicate at least one function of the surgical instrument system.

Tissue repair devices include an advancement assembly comprising a rod portion configured to advance through a needle to expel first and second implants from the needle, a ratchet coupled to a proximal section of the rod portion and configured to advance the rod through the needle by axial and rotational movement, and an advancement member having a linear travel axis including a first bore connected to a second bore. A diameter of the first bore is smaller than a diameter of the second bore such that the first bore and the second bore comprise a stop. The rod portion has mechanical properties optimized to both conform to a needle curvature and provide sufficient compressive strength to expel implants from the devices.

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 including a flexible portion that is suited to access target anatomy. The flexibility of an elongate portion of the delivery device can be varied. Additionally, the delivery device can include structure that maintains the positioning of the delivery device in patient anatomy.

An end effector for use with a surgical device is provided. The end effector includes a drive assembly, a driver, a needle assembly and a biasing element. The driver is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly. Rotation of the drive assembly in a first direction causes distal translation of the driver with respect to the drive assembly. The needle assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the driver. Distal translation of the driver causes a corresponding distal translation of the needle assembly. The biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the needle assembly and is configured to bias the needle assembly proximally.

A traction tool for performing traction, of a suture thread under a flexible endoscope is provided. The traction toot includes a first holder configured to hold the suture thread or a suture needle attached to the suture thread; a second holder having an engaging surface configured to engage the suture, thread such that the suture thread is capable of advancing and retracting and configured to release an engagement with the suture thread; and a guide member holding the first holder and the second holder such that the first holder and the second holder are relatively movable.

The present invention describes systems and methods for treating mitral valve regurgitation. The treatment includes a systems and method of modifying the mitral valve by attaching a device to each leaflet and pulling them toward each other to stop mitral valve regurgitation.