A suture passer includes a shaft having an axis, a first jaw mounted to the shaft in alignment with the axis, the first jaw being configured to releasably support a length of suture thereon; a second jaw movably mounted to the shaft, and a needle movably mounted to the shaft, the needle having a hook and being configured to reciprocate in alignment with the axis so that the hook can selectively pass by the second jaw and engage suture releasably supported on the first jaw, wherein the first jaw comprises a spring for selectively binding the suture to the first jaw, and further wherein the spring comprises a recess for receiving the suture therein.

The present disclosure provides a heart valve repair method, comprising: advancing a distal end of a suture implanting apparatus from an outside of a body through a transapical approach into a left ventricle or a right ventricle of a heart; holding each leaflet of a heart valve with the distal end of the suture implanting apparatus; implanting at least one suture into the leaflet; withdrawing the suture implanting apparatus from the body; advancing a distal end of a suture locking apparatus from the outside of a body through a transapical approach into the corresponding left ventricle or the corresponding right ventricle; using the suture locking apparatus to lock the plurality of sutures; and withdrawing the suture locking apparatus from the body. The heart valve repair method has a simple surgical procedure, a low degree of patient trauma, and a high success rate of surgery.

This disclosure relates to a medical device. The medical device comprises a first and a second component. The first component comprises a first portion having a first handle part and a second portion having a grip. The second component is linked to the first component and is configured to be in communication with the first component to be actuated from an open to a closed position. The second component defines a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion defining a second handle part and the fourth portion defining a second grip that is configured to grip a tissue in combination with the first grip portion of the first component. In certain embodiments, the first component or second component comprises a substantially straight member attached distally from the grip.

The teachings herein provide an instrument comprising a forceps. The forceps comprise a hand piece; a tubular member connected to the hand piece; and a jaw assembly connected to the hand piece. The jaw assembly includes a first jaw element and a second jaw element. The first jaw element includes a gripping section and a flexing section. The flexing section includes an arcuate section. The second jaw element opposes the first jaw element and includes a gripping section. The tubular member is moveable onto the arcuate section of the first jaw element so that the flexing section of the first jaw element is flexed and the jaw assembly is moved into a closed position. The first jaw element, the second jaw element, or both include a stiffening spine so that the jaw assembly is substantially rigid in the closed position.

A tool member is rotatably coupled to a distal end portion of a shaft and includes a drive pulley and a coupling spool. A mechanical structure is coupled to a proximal end portion of the shaft and includes first and second capstans. The first and second capstans each include a first portion and a second portion. A distal portion of the cable is wrapped at least one revolution about the coupling spool. A first proximal end of the cable is wrapped about the second portion of the first capstan such that a second portion crosses over a first portion of the first proximal end of the cable. The second proximal end of the cable is wrapped about the second portion of the second capstan such that a second portion of the second proximal end of the cable crosses over a first portion of the second proximal end of the cable.

Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An exclusion device for an anatomical structure may include a first beam, a second beam, and/or a first spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam to exert a closing force on the first beam and the second beam. The first spring may be generally U-shaped and/or may include a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite a connecting portion.

A device for clamping tissue includes a first jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first wing and a second wing. The device also includes a second jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first slot and a second slot, the first slot disposed between a middle structure and a first lateral structure, the second slot disposed between the middle structure and a second lateral structure. The first jaw is rotatably coupleable to the second jaw with the first wing extending into the first slot and the second wing extending into the second slot.

A surgical instrument comprising a jaw assembly is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises a motor-driven drive system configured to open the jaw assembly. The surgical instrument also comprises a control system configured to control the drive system and, also, control a power supply system configured to supply electrical power to electrodes defined in the outer surface, or outer surfaces, of the jaw assembly. In use, the surgical instrument can be used to apply mechanical energy and electrical energy to the tissue of a patient at the same time, or at different times. In certain embodiments, the user controls when the mechanical and electrical energies are applied. In some embodiments, the control system controls when the mechanical and electrical energies are applied.

In order to provide a device with variable rigidity and a surgical gripping device that make it possible to increase the range of change in rigidity by means of a simple structure, this device with variable rigidity is configured so as to comprise two flexible sheets (12, 14) that include: a base material (20) formed using a sheet-like elastic material and having a plurality of recesses (20B) and a plurality of protrusions (20A) formed on one surface thereof; a low rigidity section (22) that is formed using an elastic material with a lower modulus of elasticity than the base material (20) and that is arranged in the recesses (20B) and joined to the recesses (20B) so that one surface of said low rigidity section (22) becomes flat; and a friction material (24) provided to the one surface. In addition, the two flexible sheets (12, 14) are covered by a bag-like cover with the two pieces of friction material (24) facing each other and are configured so as to have a ventilation port (18) whereby it is possible to suction the air within the flexible sheets (12, 14) and the cover (16) from the exterior of the cover (16).

An endoscope treatment tool includes: a forceps having a first forceps piece and a second forceps piece; and a joint. The second forceps piece includes a forceps cup, a first tooth, a second tooth, a third tooth, a fourth tooth. A length from a tip of the first tooth to a tip of the second tooth in a longitudinal direction defines a first length, a length from the tip of the first tooth to a tip of the third tooth in the longitudinal direction defines a second length, and the first length is shorter than the second length. A length from the tip of the first tooth to a tip of the fourth tooth in the longitudinal direction defines a third length and the second length is shorter than the third length.