An apparatus for affixing a first tissue to a second tissue and methods of manufacturing and using the same. The apparatus comprises an elongated needle; a handle disposed at a proximal end of the elongated needle; a superelastic anchor disposed within the elongated needle, the anchor comprises: at least one normally-expanded elongated hook that is biased to a contracted state to fit within the elongated needle; a securing element; and an advancement mechanism triggerable by the handle and being configured to: eject the anchor out of a distal end of said elongated needle to allow the elongated hook to extend distally outward from the longitudinal axis of the elongated needle, into or beyond a tissue, and following the ejection of the anchor, eject the securing element from the apparatus to prevent movement of the anchor in at least one direction.

Described are methods and apparatus for use in supporting tissue in a patient's body. In some embodiments, the patient's breast is supported. In some embodiments, the methods provide ways of supporting and adjusting tissue, and the apparatus includes components and embodiments for supporting and adjusting the tissue. Some embodiments include a supporting device, having a first portion, a second portion, and a support member positioned between the first portion and second portion. Some embodiments include advancing the first portion of the supporting device into the body to a first location in the body; advancing the second portion of the supporting device into the body to a second location in the body; securing the first portion of the supporting device at the first location; and shifting soft tissue in the body with the support member.

An implant configured to control travel of a leaflet of a heart valve, the implant comprising a first implant member, the first implant member having a first implant member first fastener, a first implant member second fastener, a tether connecting the first implant member first fastener and the first implant member second fastener and a first implant member connector slidably disposed on the tether; a second implant member, the second implant member having a second implant member connector and a second implant member anchor; wherein the first implant member connector and the second implant member connector are magnetically couplable, and wherein at least one of the first implant member connector and the second implant member connector comprises a permanent magnet.

A method for closing a puncture in tissue that includes advancing a guide member into proximity with the tissue, the guide member having a needle guide, positioning a distal end of the guide member with the needle guide toward the tissue to present an opening of the needle guide toward the tissue the needle guide cooperating with a suture securing device that is slidably coupled to the guide member and a suture attached to the suture securing device, deploying the suture securing device, the suture securing device comprising a body with an anchor point for the suture and features that allow the suture securing device to pierce the tissue and resist retraction through the tissue, and establishing tension in the suture to move the suture securing device toward another suture securing device to thereby close the puncture in the tissue.

The present disclosure provides embodiments of a method for improving coaptation of the anterior and posterior mitral valve leaflets by applying a remodeling force to the posterior leaflet. In particular embodiments, a tension member is secured at a location on or proximate to the posterior leaflet. Tension can be applied to the tension member in a direction superiorly and anteriorly toward the interatrial septum. The tension member can be secured at a location proximate the septum to maintain the tension. The tension provides the remodeling force, pulling the posterior leaflet superiorly and anteriorly to improve coaptation with the anterior leaflet.

The invention is a method for reducing regurgitation through a mitral valve. The device and method is directed to an anchor portion for engagement with the heart wall and an expandable valve portion configured for deployment between the mitral valve leaflets. The valve portion is expandable for preventing regurgitation through the mitral valve while allowing blood to circulate through the heart. The expandable valve portion may include apertures for reducing the stagnation of blood. In a preferred configuration, the device is preferably configured to be delivered in two-stages wherein an anchor portion is first delivered and the valve structure is then coupled to the anchor portion. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of forming an anchor portion wherein a disposable jig is used to mold the anchor portion into a three-dimensional shape for conforming to a heart chamber.

A delivery device for tissue anchor delivery is provided. The delivery device includes a first flexible tube having a rigid distal portion attachable to a tissue anchor, a second flexible tube coaxially disposed around the first tube and a tubular sheath covering the second flexible tube. Also provided is a system which includes an imaging device coupler reversibly attached to the delivery device through guides.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a no-hole-preparation suture anchor including a tubular anchor body, a tapered tip coupled to the anchor body, an eyelet extending transversely through the anchor, and a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending along at least a portion of the anchor length. The material of the tapered tip is harder than that of the anchor body to facilitate insertion. An anchor inserter for use in combination with the suture anchor includes an elongated, tubular shaft defining a cannulation extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of tines extends distally from the distal end of the shaft. The anchor includes a plurality of longitudinally extending slots, dimensioned to receive respective ones of the inserter tines. The slots extend along the length of the anchor body and continue into the proximal end of the tubular shaft of the distal tip. The circumferential position of each of the slots is further selected such that the slots are circumferentially adjacent to, but do not intersect, the eyelet.

An intravascular system having a first catheter having a first non-circular transverse cross-sectional configuration and a first delivery device configured for insertion into the lumen of the catheter. The first delivery device includes an implantable medical device and an elongated member supporting the first medical device such that the first elongated member and the first medical device are movable through the lumen of the first catheter. The first elongated member has a second non-circular transverse cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the first non-circular transverse cross-sectional configuration to thereby inhibit rotation of the first elongated member within the catheter and control orientation of the first medical device relative to the catheter.

Embodiments of the invention are related to an apparatus for suturing a tissue. The apparatus includes an outer tube, a thread threaded in the outer tube and at least one anchoring element located inside the outer tube and configured to be inserted into the tissue from an outlet end of the outer tube. The outer tube is configured to freely accommodate the thread and the at least one anchoring element, and the anchoring element includes a body adapted to be threaded on the thread and having at least locking element for locking the thread to the anchoring element.