A distal cap apparatus for use with an endoscope, having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, includes a mount configured for mounting to the distal end of the endoscope, and a strap connected to the mount and configured for banding about the distal end of the endoscope when the distal end of the endoscope is received in the mount. The mount defines a strap slot configured to receive an end of the strap to configure the strap in the banded configuration. The strap may be elastic. The strap may be a continuous band. In one embodiment, a distal cap apparatus includes a mount having a strap and a buckle for adjusting a size of a loop formed at least partially by the strap about the distal end of the endoscope.

Novel apparatus and methods for coating surgical needles in batch processes are disclosed. The apparatus and methods are particularly useful for applying uniform silicone lubricious coatings to surgical needles in bulk quantities using a novel separation and spray coating system and method.

A loader is disclosed that can load a suture and/or a shuttle into a suture device. The loader can have a suture and/or a shuttle that can be moved (e.g., via a loader control) from a non-loaded configuration to a loaded configuration without damaging the suture or the shuttle. The shuttle can be moved from a shuttle first position to a shuttle second position. When the shuttle is in the shuttle first position, a suture device can be positionable in a device space on the loader. When the suture device is positioned in the device space, the shuttle can be moved from the shuttle first position to the shuttle second position. When the shuttle is in the shuttle first position, the shuttle can be outside the suture device. When the shuttle is in the shuttle second position, the shuttle can be inside the suture device.

A kit for plantar plate repair may include implants and instruments specific to the procedure, such as an implant assembly, a needle assembly, a distractor, a needle driver, and k-wires. Methods of assembling the items of the kit and methods of plantar plate repair are disclosed.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a medical suture needle with improved strength against repeated bending while ensuring visibility. The medical suture needle A including a needle tip part with a needle tip for piercing tissue, a base part for attaching a suture thread thereto, and a body part between the needle tip part and the base part, in which the body part includes at least one shallower groove 5 in a direction from the needle tip part to the body part, and the shallower groove 5 is defined by two opposing gentle slopes 6.

A surgical anchor and methods of use are disclosed. A variety of surgical techniques may be practiced to repair torn connections between soft tissue, such as tendons and ligaments, and bone. The surgical anchor simplifies the surgical techniques by channeling repair sutures from the soft tissue through a bore in the surgical anchor and then immobilizing the repair sutures between the surgical anchor and the bone.

A drainage device may include a catheter including a proximal end and a distal end. The drainage device may further include a hub coupled to the proximal end of the catheter. The hub may include a fastener element configured to secure the distal end of the catheter. In some aspects, the fastener element may be a hinged element. In some aspects, the drainage device may further include a puncture element including a tip and an expander portion. In still other aspects, the puncture element may also include an attachment portion.

An arthroscopic meniscal tear repair device includes a catch needle and a transfer needle, which are pierced into a torn meniscus and advanced past the tear. Suture is transferred by a suture needle from the transfer needle through the meniscus and into the catch needle. The catch needle has an internal mechanism that retains the suture. The suture needle is then retracted back to its home position inside the transfer needle, leaving the free end of the suture across the meniscus and in the catch needle. The device is then retracted out of the meniscus, leaving behind a stitch across the meniscal tear inside the meniscus. A pre-tied knot of suture is then slid down the device and cinched up using a knot pusher having a dilation tip, thus completing the repair.

Some suturing devices include a pair of flexible arms configured to force two pieces of tissue together and form a protrusion defined by the two pieces of tissue. Some suturing devices include a third flexible arm including a movable needle configured to apply a suture through both pieces of tissue of the protrusion. Some suturing devices include an actuator configured to move each flexible arm of the pair of flexible arms independently relative to the tissue and move the third flexible arm relative to the tissue. Some suturing devices include a pump configured to generate a suction force through the pair of flexible arms to force the tissue towards the pair of flexible arms.

A replaceable suturing head for a suturing device includes a suturing portion. The suturing portion comprises a curved suturing needle arranged to move around a circular path defined by a plurality of rollers mounted on roller shafts within the suturing portion, at least one of the plurality of rollers being a drive roller driven by the drive motor to move the suturing needle around the circular path. One or more of the roller shafts is mounted within the suturing portion so that it can pivot around its base.