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 at least one guide member configured to extend from a suturing mechanism that is configured to revolve a helically-shaped needle around an axis while the needle is advanced around an object to be sutured. A guide track is configured to be positioned around the object and to guide the suturing mechanism in an articulated path around the object. The guide track defines at least one guide channel configured to receive the guide member, where the at least one guide channel is configured to direct movement of the guide member to cause the suturing mechanism to pivot to realign the axis to be tangential to the curved guide track.

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for driving a needle to facilitate suturing, such as may be performed in a surgical anastomosis procedure. 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 groove that is configured to at least partially receive a second face of the shaft. The bottom of the groove has a bottom width at least as wide as the second face and bounded by sides extending to a groove opening at the grooved surface having a surface width that is wider than the second face.

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.

A surgical instrument system comprising a handle assembly is disclosed. The handle assembly comprises an actuation trigger comprising a curved proximal portion and a curved cylinder surrounding the curved proximal portion of the actuation trigger. The curved cylinder comprises an electroactive polymer. The surgical instrument system comprises an actuation rod which is configured to transmit an actuation force and a sensor system which is configured to detect the magnitude of the actuation force. The electroactive polymer is responsive to the actuation force and provides feedback to a user of the surgical instrument system.

A tissue closure system includes an endoscope having first and second lumens therethrough, first and second control elements disposed within the first and second lumens, respectively, and a tissue engaging portion integral with a distal end of the endoscope. The tissue engaging portion includes a tissue acquisition assembly and a tissue closure assembly. The tissue acquisition assembly is controllable via the first control element, and the tissue closure assembly controllable via the second control element. The tissue engaging portion includes a tissue grasping portion for engaging first and second target tissue portions disposed adjacent an opening in target tissue. The tissue closure assembly is configured to pierce the target tissue, and to hold the first and second target tissue portions together to close the opening in the target tissue.

Surgical instruments for pelvic repair can include straight portions and helical portions. Surgical methods for treating prolapse and other pelvic disorders can include passing a distal end region of the surgical instruments through pelvic tissue, associating an implant with the surgical instruments, and securing the implant in place to stabilize the vagina.

Surgical repair systems and techniques for plantar plate repairs. The surgical repair systems and methods reconstruct the plantar plate through a dorsal incision. The surgical repair system embodies a variety of instruments that provide visualization and access to the plantar plate using suture to complete the repair. The repair system may include some or all of the following instruments: a metatarsal head pusher employed in open surgical space, to move the capital fragment in a controlled manner; a suture retriever instrument and a suture retriever funnel (sleeve); a suture passer such as a Mini Scorpion DX and accompanying needle, or a variety of shaped Micro Suture Lassos; a measuring guide; and a small joint distractor.

Devices are provided for a suturing device used during laparoscopic surgical procedures. A suturing needle includes a shaft forming a rod axis; a curved body having a piercing tip at a first end and a base at a second end; and an arm extending radially from the shaft to the base of the curved body such that the curved body is positioned in a plane orthogonal to the rod axis of the shaft and rotatable about the shaft in the plane orthogonal to the rod axis. The suturing device includes a housing, a suturing needle, one or more sutures, a suture magazine configured to hold the one or more sutures, and a drive system, whereby the drive system may actuate the suturing needle to rotate in the plane orthogonal to the drive system, allowing the suturing needle to drive in to and out of tissue to apply a suture.

System for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve including a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to be positioned proximate native leaflets of a heart valve from a remote vascular access point, the delivery catheter further includes a rotatable actuator rod having a threaded fastener at a distal end thereof, and a fixation device releasably coupled by a threaded connection to the threaded fastener of the actuator rod. The fixation device includes a first arm moveable between a closed position and an open position, a second arm moveable between a closed position and an open position. The fixation device further includes a first gripping element movable relative to the first arm in the open position, the first gripping element biased toward the first arm to capture a first leaflet of the heart valve therebetween, and a second gripping element movable relative to the second arm in the open position, the second gripping element biased toward the second arm to capture a second leaflet of the heart valve therebetween. The first gripping element and the second gripping element each includes a plurality of barbs extending therefrom, the plurality of barbs of each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element being aligned transversely in at least one row. The fixation device further includes a covering disposed on each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, wherein the plurality of barbs of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, respectively, protrude through the covering.

A surgical instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a surgical dissector.