The invention relates to a device for use in the transcatheter treatment of mitral valve regurgitation, specifically a coaptation enhancement element for implantation across the valve; a system including the coaptation enhancement element and anchors for implantation; a system including the coaptation enhancement element, catheter and driver; and a method for transcatheter implantation of a coaptation element across a heart valve.

A suture anchor, and a surgical filament assembly using same, capable of being fixated in a hole formed in a bone of a patient. The suture anchor preferably includes an anchor body having a distal end, a proximal end, a passage extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, at least one feature disposed on the exterior of the anchor to engage bone, and a filament knot patency element disposed within the passage and defining a channel having a sufficient minimum cross-sectional area to allow movement of a portion of a surgical filament therethrough when a removable sliding knot is formed, using the surgical filament, about the filament knot patency element. The surgical filament assembly preferably includes a first filament having a sliding knot removably positioned about the knot patency element, with a shortening limb and a tightening limb each extending from the sliding knot. The sliding knot defines an adjustable capture loop having two legs extending proximally to a bight, one leg transitioning into the shortening limb and passing through the channel of the knot patency element, the shortening limb being accessible to enable a user to shorten the capture loop. The tightening limb enables the user to tighten the sliding knot against an object extending through the capture loop to secure the object to the anchor.

The invention provides surgical methods, devices, apparatus, and systems for supporting the thumb of a patient after basal joint arthroplasty. The embodiments of the invention comprise at least one index metacarpal anchor, at least one thumb metacarpal anchor, at least one sling for positioning the thumb metacarpal anchor relative to the index metacarpal anchor, and at least one anchor washer for tightening and securing the sling(s) without the need to tie the suture(s) components of the sling(s) into knots. Index and thumb metacarpal anchors comprise at least one bone-engaging element for engaging the respective metacarpal. The anchor washer may incorporate one or more sling-engagement mechanisms. Increasing the number of sling-engagement mechanisms associated with the anchor washer increases the surface area of the sling(s) and provides multiple sling elements to provide redundancy and increase the pull force of the sling(s) attachment(s) used to affix the thumb and index metacarpal anchors into a position relative to each other.

Apparatus and methods are described herein for anchoring a prosthetic heart valve. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tether attachment member that includes a base member that defines at least a portion of a tether passageway through which a portion of a tether extending from a prosthetic heart valve can be received therethrough. The base member defines a locking pin channel that intersects the tether passageway. A locking pin is disposable within the locking pin channel and movable between a first position in which the locking pin is at a spaced distance from the tether passageway, and a second position in which the locking pin intersects the tether passageway and can engage the portion of a tether disposed therein to secure the tether to the tether attachment member.

Devices, systems, and methods to improve both the reliability of soft tissue repair procedures and the speed at which the procedures are completed are provided. The devices and systems include one or more tissue augmentation constructs, which include constructs that are configured to increase a footprint across which suture applied force to tissue when the suture is tied down onto the tissue. The tissue augmentation constructs can be quickly and easily associated with the repair suture, and can be useful in many different tissue repair procedures that are disclosed in the application. In one exemplary embodiment, one or more constructs are disposed on a suture threader, which can be used to associate the construct(s) with a repair suture(s) being used to repair the soft tissue. Tissue augmentation constructs can include various blocks and patches, among other formations. Exemplary methods for manufacturing the tissue augmentation constructs are also provided.

An exemplary method includes fixating a first suture anchor in a first bone. The first suture anchor has a resilient member and a flexible strand attached to the resilient member. The flexible strand is passed to a second suture anchor, and tensioned. The second suture anchor is fixated in a second bone to secure the flexible strand to the second bone.

The present disclosure provides new and innovative bone anchors and bone anchor insertion systems that enable smaller bone holes by eliminating the need for a cannula to transport the bone anchor. The provided bone anchors and insertion systems also help prevent damage to suture used in a bone anchor insertion procedure. The bone anchor includes a securement portion that surrounds a core portion. The securement portion includes multiple wings that are shape-set to be splayed outward from the core portion, though may be bent towards or away from the core portion in response to an applied force. The core portion includes a rod extending from a head. The rod includes a drive feature such that a surgeon may engage an inserter with the rod to drive the bone anchor through a bone hole. The bone hole walls maintain the bone anchor in a compressed state.

Devices, systems, and methods to improve both the reliability of soft tissue repair procedures and the speed at which the procedures are completed are provided. The devices and systems include one or more tissue augmentation constructs, which include constructs that are configured to increase a footprint across which suture applied force to tissue when the suture is tied down onto the tissue. The tissue augmentation constructs can be quickly and easily associated with the repair suture, and can be useful in many different tissue repair procedures that are disclosed in the application. In one exemplary embodiment, one or more constructs are disposed on a suture threader, which can be used to associate the construct(s) with a repair suture(s) being used to repair the soft tissue. Tissue augmentation constructs can include various blocks and patches, among other formations. Exemplary methods for manufacturing the tissue augmentation constructs are also provided.

Anchor delivery systems include anchors having a generally cylindrical body with a rail on top for positioning within a delivery device slot. The rail incorporates a side-bulge as a retaining feature which axially extends along a majority of the length of the rail. The bulge interferes with a corresponding hourglass cutout in the delivery device slot to prevent the anchor from stripping out of the delivery device when the delivery device is retracted through tissue. The anchors are symmetrical along a length and width to facilitate loading within the delivery device. The distal portion of the delivery device includes a series of distally-extending barbs that intentionally change the penetration force required to push the device tip through tissue.

Tissue repair systems include suture anchors comprising a distal transfer eyelet. The use of transfer eyelet in various anchor configurations enables diameter reduction of the anchor, as well as enlargement of the driver cannulation. This in turn increases the amount and size of suture loadable into the system.