An orthopedic stabilization device is provided having a first button and a suture. The first button includes a base portion and a locking loop extending from a distal surface thereof, and a locking member slidably receiving the locking loop. At least a portion of the suture extends through the locking loop superior the locking member in the axial direction and at least a portion of the suture extends through the locking loop inferior the locking member in the axial direction such that a portion of said suture is frictionally retainable between said locking member and said locking loop when the suture is tensioned. The device may include a second button with the suture disposed between the first and second buttons such that the suture may be held in tension therebetween.

A system for repairing a soft tissue includes a first suture anchor, a suture and a second suture anchor. The first suture anchor is disposed at a first location on a bone. The suture is defined by a first end and a second end. The second suture anchor disposed at a second location on the bone. The suture is passed through the first suture anchor and the second suture anchor to form a medial row and a lateral row to repair the soft tissue.

An anchor device and system for coupling soft tissue to osseous tissue includes a stopper member that supports a loop of suture material. A fixing member includes features that allow it to be rigidly coupled to surrounding bone and thus hold the stopper member in a cavity within the bone. The loop of suture material, in turn, supports a second suture device, which is coupled to, and thus retains, the soft tissue. In certain embodiments, the stopper member includes a mechanical linkage for coupling it to the fixing member, and surface features that resist withdrawal of the fixing member from the bone.

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.

A suturing device includes a shuttle for holding a suture, a shuttle transmitter and a shuttle receiver. The shuttle transmitter includes a shuttle holder for holding the shuttle and a shuttle releaser displaceable relative to the shuttle holder for releasing the shuttle from the shuttle holder. The shuttle holder advances through a material at a first location while holding the shuttle until the shuttle engages the shuttle receiver. The shuttle releaser then releases the shuttle from the shuttle holder for withdrawal of the shuttle transmitter through the material, leaving the shuttle engaged with the shuttle receiver. The shuttle transmitter the penetrates the material at a second location opposite the shuttle receiver and retrieves the shuttle, holding it while withdrawing through the material at the second location. This sequence can be repeated to form a wide range of multi-stitch suture patterns for vascular closure and a wide range of other applications.

A tissue anchor includes an anchor member formed from a generally flexible material. An activation member, which may be a tensioning member, causes proximal and distal end portions of the anchor member to move toward each other into a shortened configuration suitable for anchoring against the tissue. The tissue anchor can optionally be deployed and activated using a catheter device.

A tongue advancer implant (101) or removal (1601) tool for a tongue manipulation system comprising: a loading mechanism configured to enable the loading of an implant or removal assembly; a propulsion element configured to be charged; a release mechanism configured to permit the propulsion element to propel the implant or removal assembly from the implant or removal tool.

A tongue advancer assembly (305) for a tongue manipulation system, the tongue advancer assembly (305) comprising: a core mount (703) comprising a connection rod coupling configured to couple the tongue advancer assembly to a distal end of a connection rod (303); and a tongue advancer (701) configured to be coupled to the core mount (703).

A suture thread is used to perform suturing without tying part of or the whole of knots that are supposed to be tied during suturing. A suture thread support body prevents an end of the suture thread from being pulled into a suturing site. A needle accommodation body has a shape of a tube having a through-hole through both ends. The suture thread has the suture thread support body and the needle accommodation body.

A repair system including at least one anchor, screw, or plate with a body and a suture capture element formed in the body for attaching at least one suture to the anchor, screw, or plate. The suture capture element being configured so as to permit the suture to be snared by the suture-capture element after the anchor, screw, or plate has been attached to bone.