A valve annulus repair system joins anchors at one or both of their proximal and distal ends to construct an implant to reshape the annulus. A removable frame may be used to position the anchors proximate to the annulus and to adjust the shape of the annulus. The frame may support the anchors during deployment of the system, release the anchors during construction of the implant, adjust the shape of the implant (and concomitantly the shape of the reconstructed valve) during an adjustment/cinching process, retain the adjusted shape of the valve annulus while relative anchor positions are secured, and release the anchors to enable the frame to be removed from the deployment site following implant construction. With such a system, a low-profile, flexile annular valve implant with reduced the risks of migration, fracture, embolism and thrombus may be provided.

A surgical instrument according to an embodiment may include: a housing that is to be attached to a driving unit of a robot arm and is provided with a plurality of driven members to be driven by a plurality of drive members of the driving unit; a shaft whose one end portion is connected to the housing; a plurality of end effectors; a support body that is rotatably supported by the other end portion of the shaft and rotatably supports the plurality of end effectors; and a plurality of driving elements that are respectively connected to the plurality of driven members to drive the plurality of end effectors and the support body to rotate.

A suture-carrying apparatus includes a suture engaging ridge for placement and retention of surgical sutures, and a base for conveniently mounting the apparatus to a predetermined location, such as a body structure, which is reachable by robotic arms during a robot-assisted surgical operation. The base may be configured to allow stability of the apparatus for one-handed placement and retrieval of sutures from the ridges.

A suture needle system includes a first needle and at least one second needle. Each of the first and second needles preferably has a common needle body construct. The first needle includes an elongate suture having a length sufficient to extend at least the length of an instrument channel of an endoscope. The second needle includes an opening formed by a loop of suture at which the second needle can be advanced over the elongate suture. In use, the first needle is secured to a first tissue location using an endoscopic suturing system. A second needle is advanced at its opening over the elongate suture and secured to a second tissue location. Additional second needles may be advanced over the elongate suture to respective tissue locations. The elongate suture is pulled taut, drawing the second needles into proximity, and secured.

A suturing device includes a clamshell body having a first side coupled to a second side by a hinge at a hinge end. The first side and the second side each have a cantilevered end opposite the hinge end. The clamshell body is configured to actuate between an open position and a closed position. A suture retainer is positioned within the clamshell body and is configured to receive a suture. An opening is formed in a wall of the second side of the clamshell body.

A flexible portal cannula for use in arthroscopic surgery. Distally positioned flaps extend radially outwardly from the outer surface of the cannula and are resiliently foldable to lie against the outer surface of the cannula during insertion into a surgical portal, and resiliently biased to return to the radially outwardly extending position when unconstrained. A clip disposed on the cannula outer surface outside of an arthroscopic workspace acts to clamp tissue disposed between the clip and the flaps. The clip has an extension to receive pairs of slots to sort and engage the sutures.

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 storage tray provides storage for multiple types of wires, catheters, and other instruments used during surgical procedures. The storage tray includes a base and a set of walls forming a basin that holds liquid. A wire containment section within the basin holds multiple coiled guidewires in a channel filled with the liquid. The wire containment section includes an inner wall and one or more wall segments forming an outer boundary of the channel. A wire holder outside the channel holds end portions of the guidewires. Pulling an end portion of one of the coiled guidewires horizontally causes the guidewire to slide along the inner wall for separation and removal from the storage tray.

Methods for delivering a sheet-like implant to a target site including a means of deploying and orienting the sheet-like implant within the body.

A suture delivery system is described. The system includes an anchor and a cooperating driver, the driver facilitating a delivery of the anchor into the abdominal cavity. The system allows for the deployment of a suture internally into an abdominal wall.