A method and apparatus for positioning a locator. The method includes inserting a tissue locator through an opening in a tissue wall, and distally advancing a proximal member, positioned proximal a proximal end of a first arm of the tissue locator, to move a portion of the first arm from a first position to a second position that is separated from a longitudinal axis of the tissue locator by a greater distance than the first position.

A device for use in the treatment of hemorrhoids. The device includes an elongated tube-shaped element that includes a forward end and an aft end. The aft end provides access to the interior of the tube-shaped element. The tube-shaped element extends along a longitudinal axis L and includes at least one opening formed between the forward and aft end. The device includes an anal mucosa support device removably arranged within the tube shape element. The support device includes at least two cavities to receive anal mucosa. At least one needle guide structure is formed in the elongated tube-shaped element and the anal mucosa support device such that at least one needle is capable of being guided during movement within the tube-shaped element across the at least two cavities in the anal mucosa support device to a position where the needle extends across the opening in the tube-shaped element.

There is provided a suture passer device used in procedures of robotic assisted minimally invasive suspension of the hyoid and tongue base in treatment of sleep apnea. The suture passer device is a dual use suture passer, having both suture insertor and extractor functionality on a single unitary instrument section of the device by means of insertion and extraction hooks positioned on an elongated needlelike body which is connected to a handle grip. The insertion and extraction hooks receive a suture via an opening in the body of the instrument, with the suture capable of removal and fastening to the extraction hook by robotic forceps. Procedures for using the device are disclosed which include a single point of entry on a patient and the device moved to first and second positions above and below the hyoid bone during robotic assisted surgery.

Apparatus and methods are provided for treating a tissue opening, for example a trocar opening used in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. In a tissue closure device, a finger guard or shield can be used, handle or holding area or areas can be used, and positioning indicators can be used. A resiliently flexible target material can also be used for reliably holding a suture during the procedure. Introducers can be used having a suture holder, an alignment indicator and insertion limits.

Devices and methods are described herein directed to an adaptor for use with a medical device used to suture tissue within a patient's body and/or for delivering and/or securing another medical device within a patient's body. In one embodiment, an apparatus to aid in the placement of a suture at a location within a body of a patient using a medical device includes a body and a coupler configured to couple the body to the medical device. The apparatus further includes a suture mounting portion disposed on the body that defines a suture slit configured to laterally receive therethrough a portion of a suture coupled to the medical device and to apply a frictional force to the suture to resist movement of the suture longitudinally therethrough. A magnitude of the frictional force being less than a longitudinal force applied to the suture by actuation of the medical device.

This disclosure enables various threading devices (e.g., suturing devices) that can sequentially send a plurality of carriers (e.g., needle caps, sleeves) to an object (e.g., animate, inanimate, human tissue, organ tissue, heart tissue) or sequentially receive a plurality of carriers (e.g., needle caps, sleeves) from an object (e.g., animate, inanimate, human tissue, organ tissue, heart tissue). For example, some threading devices can sequentially send some carriers in a relatively rapid succession or some threading devices can sequentially receive some carriers in a relatively rapid succession.

A tissue closure device to assist in retrieving a suture during a suturing procedure, the device including an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending axially through the elongated body. The device further including an actuator rod at least partially extending through the lumen of the elongated body to actuate a plurality of wings and a plurality of shields attached to a distal end of the elongated body. The elongated body including at least one needle guide lumen with an opening an exit, the at least one needle guide lumen traversing the elongated body at an angle with respect to a central axis of the elongated body to guide a suture grasper to an enclosed suture retrieval cavity.

A suture passer comprising: a hollow tube, the hollow tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end; and a clamping rod slidably received in the lumen of the hollow tube, the clamping rod comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being bifurcated into a first arm and a second arm, one of the first and second arms extending distally of the other of the first and second arms and including a clamping surface; wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm comprises a friction-enhancing surface for facilitating manipulation of a suture via engagement of the suture with the friction-enhancing surface.

A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a plurality of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The staples comprise staple legs which extend from a staple base portion. The staple legs comprise staple tips configured to pierce tissue and contact a corresponding forming pocket of an anvil of surgical stapling instrument. The staples further comprise zones having different hardnesses.

A cassette is disclosed for use in a prosthetic suturing device. The cassette has a base. The base has a pair of pivots, a pair of alignment tabs, and at least one retention latch. The cassette also has a cover coupled to the base. The cover has at least one retention latch. The cover also defines one or more ferrule holders. The cassette further has one or more needles guided by the base and the cover. A surgical suturing device is also disclosed for use with a cassette. The suturing device has a cassette receiver and one or more needle drivers, each needle driver having a needle receiver positioned within the cassette receiver.