In one form, a surgical needle has a curved needle body having a first end and a second end and defines an interior region between the first and second ends. The interior region contains a center of curvature of the needle body. The first and second ends each terminate in a point. The needle body has an intermediate portion between the first and second ends, and defines an internal surface facing the interior region and an external surface facing away from the interior region. A recess is thrilled within the external surface of the needle body. In another form, the needle is provided in a sterilized package together with one or more elongate filaments each having a proximal end coupled to the needle body within the recess. A container holds the surgical needle and the filament.

An embodiment includes a chordal replacement system comprising: a pledget coupled to a first suture length and at least one of a first needle and a first ferrule; a second suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a second needle; and a third suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a third needle; wherein the second and third suture lengths are not monolithic with each other and do not constitute a single suture. Other embodiments are described herein.

An apparatus can include a first flexible member having first and second ends and a first body extending therebetween, where the first body defines a first passage portion. A second flexible member can have first and second ends and a second body extending therebetween, where the second body defines second and third passage portions. The first end of the first flexible member passes into and through the second passage portion such that the first end extends outside of the second passage portion, and the second end of the first flexible member passes into and through the third passage portion such that the second end extends outside of the third passage portion. The first and second ends of the second flexible member pass into and through the first passage portion to form a self-locking adjustable flexible member construct.

A surgical suture apparatus for passing a double-ended surgical needle forwards and backwards includes a main body, a first jaw element and a second jaw element, each including a holding device to hold a needle-end of the surgical needle. The first jaw element and second jaw element are movable with respect to each other between a take-over position, where a surgical needle can be passed between the first holding device and the second holding device, and an open position. The surgical apparatus further includes an operating device to operate the first holding device and the second holding device to alternately hold the first needle-end by the first holding device and the second needle-end by the second holding device, where the first jaw element is detachably mounted on the main body.

The present invention relates to a suture which is firmly maintained and fixed to an operation site to stably sustain suturing or lifting effects for a long time. More specifically, the present invention provides a suture having a conic or pyramidal shape with a cut top, wherein a suture supporter comprising a communication hole penetrating the both ends is provided at one end. The suture support can have one or more portions which are cut vertically from a lower end at a lower end portion having a larger diameter between the both ends, or a part of the lower end can be removed so as to form one or more gaps formed from the end at a wall of the end portion.

The present invention provides, in one aspect, a suture (100) for cosmetic surgery, aesthetic surgery or soft tissue fixation comprising a bioresorbable elongate filament structure (102) having first and second ends (104, 106); at least 10 bioresorbable elements (108) suitable for subcutaneous tissue engagement when in use, received movably upon the filament structure; wherein each of the elements is of a frusto- conical shape with a narrower end (202) and a broader end (204), having a hollow interior therethrough (206) enlarging outwardly toward the broader end, with the filament structure passing through said hollow interior; at least 12 protrusions (110) disposed along the filament structure; wherein each of the protrusions has a greater diameter than that of the hollow interior at the narrower end of each of the elements; and a first and a second needle (112, 114), coupled respectively to the first and second ends of the filament structure; wherein the elements and protrusions are disposed along the filament structure as spatially-separated first and second sets (116, 118), each of at least 5 elements and at least 6 protrusions; wherein the first set is proximal to the first needle and distal to the second needle, and wherein the second set is proximal to the second needle and distal to the first needle; wherein the elements are orientated in a bidirectional manner such that, when the filament structure is taut, the narrower ends of the elements in the first and second sets are orientated towards the first and second needles, respectively characterised in that, when the filament structure is taut, the length of filament structure between the narrower ends of the elements nearest to the first and second needles, when said elements are in the furthest position from their respective proximal needles that is allowed by the configuration of the suture (120, 122), and the points at which the filament structure is coupled to said needles (124, 126), is at least 10 cm (128, 130).

A suture management device includes a handle defining a first elongate channel. The first elongate channel extends about a longitudinal circumference of the handle. A shaft extends distally from the handle. A suture anchor is coupled to a distal end of the shaft. A suture is configured to extend from the suture anchor proximally along the shaft and into the first elongate channel defined by the handle. A door integrally can be formed with the handle. The suture extends into an area between the door and the handle. The door is configured to maintain tension on the suture when in a closed position.

An apparatus can include a first flexible member having first and second ends and a first body extending therebetween, where the first body defines a first passage portion. A second flexible member can have first and second ends and a second body extending therebetween, where the second body defines second and third passage portions. The first end of the first flexible member passes into and through the second passage portion such that the first end extends outside of the second passage portion, and the second end of the first flexible member passes into and through the third passage portion such that the second end extends outside of the third passage portion. The first and second ends of the second flexible member pass into and through the first passage portion to form a self-locking adjustable flexible member construct.

A system including a bone punch tool and a needle guide. The bone punch tool can include a support arm having a support arm proximal portion and a support arm distal portion, a pivot arm having a pivot arm proximal portion and a pivot arm distal portion, and an arcuate punch configured to punch through bone. The pivot arm distal portion can be pivotably coupled to the support arm distal portion, such that the pivot arm proximal portion is configured to be moved away from the support arm proximal portion to extend the arcuate punch into a punch position to punch an arcuate hole through bone. The needle guide can be configured to guide a needle through the arcuate hole.

A suture delivery tool releasably secures a self-retaining suture to permit delivery of the self-retaining suture to a surgical site in a patient through an access port. Suture delivery tools are disclosed suitable for manual operation and operation using robotically-assisted surgical systems. In some embodiments, a suture spool is part of a cartridge which is releasably attached to the suture delivery tool. Cartridges is, in some embodiments, replaced after deployment of the self-retaining suture and different cartridges having different self-retaining suture are, in some embodiments, selected and attached to the suture delivery tool as required for a procedure.