Apparatus and methods to reduce ventricular volume are disclosed. The device takes the form of a transventricular anchor, which presses a portion of the ventricular wall inward, thereby reducing the available volume of the ventricle. The anchor is deployed using a curved introducer that may be inserted into one ventricle, through the septum and into the opposite ventricle. Barbs or protrusions along the anchor body combined with a mechanical stop and a sealing member hold the device in place once deployed.

A method of attaching a surgical suture to a needle and testing the attachment includes dispensing a length of suture from a spool by using a first suture gripper, and using a surgical needle gripper for holding a surgical needle stationary. A leading end of the suture is inserted into and attached to a receiving end of the surgical needle. A second suture gripper is located between the first suture gripper and the spool. After the second suture gripper is closed for gripping the suture, the second suture gripper is advanced downstream toward the surgical needle to reduce the tension on the suture. The tension on the suture is reduced by moving the second suture gripper a pre-determined distance. The first suture gripper is opened for releasing the suture and the first suture gripper is moved toward the suture spool for re-grasping the suture at a location between the second gripper and the suture spool. The suture between the downstream side of the re-positioned first suture gripper and upstream side of the second suture gripper is cut. After the suture is cut, the second suture gripper is displaced toward the spool using a tension control system to increase the tension level between the needle and the second suture gripper.

An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle, and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a reciprocating needle drive having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.

A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.

A surgical suturing system comprises a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends, and receiver on the distal end with a rotary drive. A cartridge is selectively attachable to and detachable from the receiver. The cartridge has a surgical needle, a length of suture connected to the needle, a needle driver operative to engage and move the needle relative the cartridge, a transmission operatively connected to the needle driver, and a torsional interface rotationally coupling the rotary drive to the transmission.

A tissue closure device includes a pusher assembly having a drive arm extending from a drive shaft and a needle driver at a distal end of the drive arm, wherein the needle driver is capable of releasably engaging and rotating a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end about a rotational axis and a cartridge having a protective housing and the suturing needle, the cartridge extending from a distal end of a cartridge holder assembly and releasably attached to the cartridge holder assembly. A pointed end of the suturing needle may be positioned within the protective housing before and after a complete rotation of the suturing needle about the rotational axis. A removable electronic module may be provided controlled by an actuator that mechanically engages the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft and the needle driver, thereby rotating the suturing needle about the rotational axis.

A suture device including: an elongated shaft member; a pair of gripping members; and a passing mechanism that transfers a suture needle between the gripping members, wherein the passing mechanism is provided with fitting holes provided in the individual gripping members and to which the suture needle is fitted, holding members that are inserted into recessed portions in outer circumferential surface of the suture needle by being pulled toward the proximal end sides thereof in directions that intersect axes of the individual fitting holes, a swing member that is provided so as to be swingable about an axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, a pair of tensile-force transmitting members that transmit tensile forces that cause the swing member to be swung, axial-force transmitting members that transmit axial forces associated with swinging of the swing member, and hold-state maintaining mechanism that maintains the holding members in the recessed portions.

Implementations of an apparatus and a method for surgical suturing are disclosed. An illustrative apparatus for tissue suturing includes a cartridge having a suturing needle having a pointed end and a second end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis, a reciprocating needle drive, and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle drive to rotate the needle. A method for suturing tissue is provided that includes placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle to span at least one tissue segment, activating an actuator to cause rotational movement of the suturing needle through the at least one tissue segment, and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the at least one tissue segment forming a stitch.

An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.

An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.