A flexible cannula and radially extending conformable flanges used to provide an adjustable effective length of flexible cannula, adjustable for varying tissue depths. At least some of the example embodiments include a flexible tubular body having a length, a flexible distal flange, a flexible proximal flange, and one or more flexible intermediate flanges positioned on the length of the tubular body between the distal and the proximal flanges. All of the flanges may be have the equivalent outer diameters. Each flange may be spaced axially spaced apart from the adjacent flexible flange with varying spacing. Some flanges may also have a circumferential row of perforations, allowing for selective removal of some flanges. The tubular body may also have a ring of perforations, allowing for selective removal of a portion of the tubular body. The flexible cannula may also have at least one suture docking stations on a proximal end of the cannula, to selectively retain a length of suture therein.

A device for closing an opening in a body lumen, the device having a first elongate member with a first lumen, a second elongate member distal the first elongate member, and a needle assembly slidably cooperating with the first elongate member to position a plurality of sutures within the lumen of the first elongate member. The needle assembly includes a needle base and a plurality of needle portions extending from the needle base. Slidable movement of the needle assembly in relation to the first elongate member locates the plurality of sutures selectively mounted to the needle assembly within the first lumen.

A suture device includes a suture ring that defines an arcuate channel extending therein. A first arcuate needle passer is slidingly disposed within a first side of the arcuate channel and a second arcuate needle passer is slidingly disposed within a second side of the arcuate channel. An arcuate needle is passable between the first arcuate needle passer and the second arcuate needle passer and includes a first latching feature adapted to releasably secure the arcuate needle to the first arcuate needle passer and a second latching feature adapted to releasably secure the arcuate needle to the second arcuate needle passer.

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 suturing system including apparatus and methods for disposing stitches in a substrate comprising a thread carrier which inserts a thread in the substrate at a first location and withdraws the thread from the substrate at a second location.

A prosthetic suturing device is disclosed. The prosthetic suturing device has a housing and a needle press slideably engaged with the housing. The prosthetic suturing device also has a plurality of needles coupled to the needle press. The prosthetic suturing device further has a prosthetic retainer. The prosthetic suturing device also has a ferrule platen having a plurality of ferrule holders, each corresponding to one of the plurality of needles. The prosthetic suturing device further has an actuator configured to move the needle press from a retracted position where needle tips of the plurality of needles are away from the ferrule platen to an engaged position where the needle tips of the plurality of needles are at least partially within the ferrule holders of the ferrule platen.

A suture needle container includes a receptacle having a proximal end with an opening and a closed distal end. A hollow mandrel is disposed inside the receptacle. The mandrel projects from the closed distal end toward the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle. The mandrel includes a tubular wall having a proximal end aligned with the proximal end of the receptacle and a distal end connected with the closed distal end of the receptacle. An elongated slot is formed in the tubular wall. A suture needle is disposed within the elongated slot. A suture is secured to the proximal end of the suture needle and wrapped around the hollow mandrel. A cover closes the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle for sealing the suture needle and the suture inside the receptacle for maintaining a sterile environment inside the receptacle.

An apparatus and a method of engaging a U-shaped portion of an elongate flexible element with the apparatus. The apparatus has a body with an anchoring part, a channel extending up to the anchoring part, and an entry opening to the channel. With the U-shaped portion and body in an operative relationship, wherein the U-shaped portion straddles the anchoring part, the elongate flexible element can be tensioned to draw a side of the body against tissue. With the U-shaped portion straddling the anchoring part, the body can be reconfigured to change the size and/or shape of the entry opening and/or channel to avoid separation of part or all of the U-shaped portion from the body.

A suture package includes a suture housing having a tray with a suture channel, and at least one suture disposed on the suture housing, whereby the suture includes a suture thread disposed within the suture channel of the tray. The package includes a suture straightening assembly provided on the suture housing. The suture straightening assembly defines a suture dispensing path for removing the suture thread from the suture housing. The suture straightening assembly includes a first suture thread straightening section that is configured to apply a first flexing force within a first plane upon an exterior surface of the suture thread as the suture thread is drawn along the suture dispensing path, and a second suture thread straightening section that is configured to apply a second flexing force within a second plane upon the exterior surface of the suture thread as the suture thread is drawn along the suture dispensing path. The first and second planes extend along axes that define an angle relative to one another.