The present invention relates to a method of preparing a suture anchor using a suture and a prepared suture anchor. A knitting member (100) cut at a predetermined width and length while having a plurality of knots (10a) is inserted into a hole 1a of a bone 1 using an anchor inserting device 200, and a second suture 20 provided between one knot 10a of the plurality of knots and another knot 10a thereof is pulled rearwards, and thus the knitting member (100) is deformed from a long rod shape to a lump shape the bone 1. Accordingly, the knitting member (100) has a volume larger than a diameter of the hole 1a, and the knitting member (100) deformed into the lump shape is configured not to be removed from the hole 1a of the bone 1 even when the second suture 20 is further pulled in a rear direction.

A method of making a surgical suture having a reformed tip includes providing an elongated fiber having a first end, a second end, a central axis extending between the first and second ends thereof, and an outer surface that defines a cross-sectional dimension of the elongated fiber, and compressing a center region of the elongated fiber that is located between the first and second ends thereof for reshaping the center region into a core mass and a deformed mass that extends laterally outside the cross-sectional dimension of said elongated fiber. The method includes separating the deformed mass of the center region from the core mass of the center region so that only the core mass remains for interconnecting the first and second ends of the elongated fiber, and after separating the deformed mass from the core mass, reshaping the core mass into a reformed mass having a reformed mass central axis that is offset from the central axis of the elongated fiber.

A surgical clamping device is disclosed, having a first clamp jaw and a second clamp jaw, each having one or more channels configured for receiving suture for reliably securing the clamp jaws to maintain a clamping pressure during a surgical procedure, as well as to reliably and releasably secure the clamp jaws onto the introducer shaft of the clamping device. Also described are clamp jaws having one or more actuator interfaces and alignment guides configured for reversible and slidable engagement with an actuator at the end of an articulating introducer shaft. Also described are various features of clamp jaws for use with a surgical clamping device. Also disclosed is a surgical clamping device having detachable, pivotable first and second clamp jaws releasably held on pivotable fingers at a proximal end of an articulating introducer shaft. Related methods of surgical clamping procedures are also disclosed.

The present invention discloses methods for producing a surgical suture having a reduced cross-sectional area portion from monofilaments fibers of various polymeric and metallic materials. Also disclosed are novel sutures having novel tips. Novel suture tipping apparatuses are also disclosed. The monofilament is subjected to the application of thermal treatment coupled with application of mechanical shaping of the fiber element to produce a deformed cross sectional portion of the suture body. The deformed suture body region is subsequently subjected to a trimming operation within a punching/stamping die. The reduced section of the suture body region and is severed to form a suture having a reduced-cross sectional area end portion. Preferably, each reduced region is severed approximately in the center of the trimmed reduced cross sectional area portion to form a suture having both ends of a reduced cross-sectional area.

A suture including a loop having a tapered surface is provided. The suture includes an elongate body including a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion includes first and second overlapping sections and a loop. A proximal end of the first overlapping section may be tapered with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body. The first overlapping section may be secured to the second overlapping section proximal of the loop. The overlapping sections may be secured together by at least one method selected from the group consisting of glues, adhesives, epoxies, solvents, heat and ultrasonic energy.

A suture including a loop having a tapered surface is provided. The suture includes an elongate body including a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion includes first and second overlapping sections and a loop. A proximal end of the first overlapping section may be tapered with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body. The first overlapping section may be secured to the second overlapping section proximal of the loop. The overlapping sections may be secured together by at least one method selected from the group consisting of glues, adhesives, epoxies, solvents, heat and ultrasonic energy.

The present invention discloses methods for producing a surgical suture having a reduced cross-sectional area portion from monofilaments fibers of various polymeric and metallic materials. Also disclosed are novel sutures having novel tips. Novel suture tipping apparatuses are also disclosed. The monofilament is subjected to the application of thermal treatment coupled with application of mechanical shaping of the fiber element to produce a deformed cross sectional portion of the suture body. The deformed suture body region is subsequently subjected to a trimming operation within a punching/stamping die. The reduced section of the suture body region and is severed to form a suture having a reduced-cross sectional area end portion. Preferably, each reduced region is severed approximately in the center of the trimmed reduced cross sectional area portion to form a suture having both ends of a reduced cross-sectional area.

A system and method are disclosed for the securement of tissue and in particular for placement of a tongue base suspension fiber for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The system incorporates disposable connectors with releasable needles to facilitate the placement of fibers with minimal increase in suture site dilation or trauma.

An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector assembly, and a drive assembly. The body may include a handpiece with an integral motor. The shaft assembly may include two pairs of concentric shafts. The end effector assembly may include arms that selectively grasp and release a suturing needle. The drive assembly is operable to drive the end effector assembly via the shaft assembly. The drive assembly is operable to convert a single rotary input into at least two rotary outputs. In some versions, the drive assembly comprises a plurality of shaft assemblies that include an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, and a third output shaft. The drive assembly is operable to selectively rotate and hold the shaft assemblies in accordance with a predetermined sequence, such as to perform tissue suturing through a trocar in a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

The present invention discloses methods for producing a surgical suture having a reduced cross-sectional area portion from monofilaments fibers of various polymeric and metallic materials. Also disclosed are novel sutures having novel tips. Novel suture tipping apparatuses are also disclosed. The monofilament is subjected to the application of thermal treatment coupled with application of mechanical shaping of the fiber element to produce a deformed cross sectional portion of the suture body. The deformed suture body region is subsequently subjected to a trimming operation within a punching/stamping die. The reduced section of the suture body region and is severed to form a suture having a reduced-cross sectional area end portion. Preferably, each reduced region is severed approximately in the center of the trimmed reduced cross sectional area portion to form a suture having both ends of a reduced cross-sectional area.