A steerable assembly comprises an elongated body structure with an implement arranged at a distal end thereof, wherein a premagnetized material is arranged closer to the distal end than a proximal end, and is configured to enable steering of the implement through tissue of an animal body responsive to application of a magnetic field eternal to the body. A method for guiding passage of an implement through tissue includes altering strength and/or position of at least one magnetic field source external to an animal body to interact with and effectuate movement of a premagnetized material inserted into the animal body.

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for guiding a needle to facilitate suturing, such as in surgical anastomosis. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame configured to counter-rotatably support two generally parallel rollers. A first roller supported by the frame has a flat surface configured to rollably engage a first face of a shaft of a helically-shaped needle. A second roller supported by the frame has a grooved surface defining a helical groove is configured to at least partially receive a second face of the shaft. The second roller further defines a correcting recess bounded by lateral surfaces at a forward end of the groove that tapers to a width of the groove at the forward end. When the leading end is received into the correcting recess, at least one of the lateral surfaces engages and guides the leading end into the forward end of the groove.

Surgical tools and kits for performing methods include a grommet with cylindrical shaft, cutting tip, annular flange with suture retaining anchoring fixture; a grommet jig for extending between adjacent grommets and guiding a needle therebetween; a family of needles with single and double pointed ends, reinforced eyelets, stops to limit inadvertent exiting, double shaft construction with a longitudinal gap and sharpened, slicing ends, including a “J” shape embodiment; a bone anchor with ring to secure sutures about a patient's clavicle; a tissue dissector having radially extending cones to nick taut connecting tissues; a tissue rasp having a series of crisscrossing grooves along an end; a tissue mesher comprising one or more blocks having a matrix of holes for clamping a plurality of needles and a supporting framework; and a kit device and a method of surgically inserting an internal mesh brassiere under the breast skin.

A drainage device may include a catheter including a proximal end and a distal end. The drainage device may further include a hub coupled to the proximal end of the catheter. The hub may include a fastener element configured to secure the distal end of the catheter. In some aspects, the fastener element may be a hinged element. In some aspects, the drainage device may further include a puncture element including a tip and an expander portion. In still other aspects, the puncture element may also include an attachment portion.

A surgical tissue connector system for moving a first internal body tissue to a position away from a second internal body tissue and then holding the first internal body tissue in the position. Tissue connectors are secured to cords such that the length of cord between the tissue connectors can be easily adjusted in a laparoscopic work space.

A bone or tissue repair device can deploy first and second anchors from a distal end of a bore of a needle. A cylindrical first anchor can be disposed in the bore proximal to a distal end of the bore. A cylindrical second anchor can be disposed in the bore proximal to the first anchor. A pusher wire can include teeth positioned at a distal end of the pusher wire. The pusher wire and teeth can be configured to engage an interior of the first anchor; advance distally, with respect to the needle, to force the first anchor distally out of the bore; retract proximally, with respect to the needle and the second anchor, to position the teeth inside an interior of the second anchor; engage the interior of the second anchor; and advance distally, with respect to the needle, to force the second anchor distally out of the bore.

A surgical tissue connector system for moving a first internal body tissue to a position away from a second internal body tissue and then holding the first internal body tissue in the position. Tissue connectors are secured to cords such that the length of cord between the tissue connectors can be easily adjusted in a laparoscopic work space.

A kit for trans-osseous rotator cuff repair comprising, a handle (101) with a hollow guide (106) and a first connector (104A), a hollow sleeve (103) that passes through the hollow guide (106) in the handle (101), a suture guider (105 and 503) to guide a surgical suture (516) through the hollow sleeve (103), an adaptable hook (107A and 107B) with a narrow slit (118) at one end and a second connector (104B) at opposite end to couple with the first connector (104A), and a pin (901) with first and second apertures (906 and 908) enabling knotless suture of a soft tendon tissue to a bone, wherein the hollow sleeve is adjustable within the hollow guide (106) and a tunnel is created within the bone by creating perpendicularly intersecting a first and a second hole (718 and 706) in that the narrow slit (118) of the adaptable hook (107A and 107B) retrieves the surgical suture (516) from the second hole (706) through the first hole (718) of the tunnel.

A surgical stitching device includes a suture needle configured to reliably pass through a typically thick scarred tissue present along, e.g., an edge of midline hernias. The surgical stitching device includes first and second jaws. The suture needle is selectively supported on the first or second jaws at, e.g., an acute, angle with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the corresponding first or second jaw. The suture needle may be selectively secured with the first or second jaw by first and second needle receiving blades configured for reciprocating axial displacement. A suture is connected to the suture needle to perform suturing of tissue.

A bone or tissue repair device can deploy first and second anchors from a distal end of a bore of a needle. A cylindrical first anchor can be disposed in the bore proximal to a distal end of the bore. A cylindrical second anchor can be disposed in the bore proximal to the first anchor. A pusher wire can include teeth positioned at a distal end of the pusher wire. The pusher wire and teeth can be configured to engage an interior of the first anchor; advance distally, with respect to the needle, to force the first anchor distally out of the bore; retract proximally, with respect to the needle and the second anchor, to position the teeth inside an interior of the second anchor; engage the interior of the second anchor; and advance distally, with respect to the needle, to force the second anchor distally out of the bore.