A method for providing a fractured bone with a bone cerclage according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes wrapping suture around bone a first time using a suture passer, wrapping the suture around bone a second time using a shuttling suture, and securing the suture to the bone.

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 integrated needle and cannula assembly for plastic surgery including a syringe connected to a blunt-tipped cannula where the blunt-tipped cannula is inserted into the hollow annular space of a hypodermic needle. In operation, the medical practitioner penetrates into the patient's skin using the hypodermic needle and then slides the blunt-tipped cannula through the annular space of the needle. A transporter assembly can be interposed between the syringe and the overlapping needle/cannula. The transporter assembly may include a retractable inner needle tube attached to the hypodermic needle and an external transporter housing which connects the syringe to the cannula through a cannula connector. Once the blunt tipped cannula is under the patient's skin, the needle is preferably withdrawn from the patient's skin to allow sub-dermal substances to be injected using only the blunt-tipped cannula. Withdrawal of the needle can be assisted with either a pull spring or push spring. In an alternative embodiment, a sharp-tipped trocar inside a cannula is used to penetrate the patient's skin. In a further alternative embodiment, a barbed surgical thread may be attached to said cannula to perform thread-lift procedures.

Surgical articles, implants and components suitable for female pelvic health procedures are described.

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 reciprocating needle drive having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.

A vessel dissector for harvesting a target vessel has a tubular member carrying a blunt transparent tip with a terminus for blunt dissection of tissue and a base affixed to the tubular member. An active ring set has first and second ring segments mounted to distal ends of respective manipulator bars in the tubular member. The ring segments juxtapose to define a closed loop with an inner diameter larger than the outside diameter of the tip base. The ring segments are movable between a retracted position nested at the base and respective extended positions distally forward of the terminus. At least one of the ring segments is energizable to cut and cauterize a cylindrical pedicle including the target vessel. The ring segments independently extend longitudinally to provide a variable gap between the ring segments to capture, cut, and cauterize side branches to the target vessel between the ring segments.

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.

The invention includes a needle loader that may be used with a suturing device. The needle loader includes a generally planar needle supporting surface, a hub configured and adapted for receiving a generally toroidally shaped suturing needle around the hub, and means for retaining a suturing needle in a fixed toroidal rotational position with respect to the hub about a center axis of needle rotation. Generally, a needle mounted around the hub is selectively disposable on and removable from the hub. In accordance with a further aspect, the loader may further include an opening for retaining suture material attached to a suturing needle. The opening may include a groove defined through the needle supporting surface. The needle loader may further include a guard for preventing access to the point of a suturing needle to protect the needle and/or to prevent accidental needle sticks.

A wound closure device can be provided as described herein. In an example, the wound closure device includes a first suture segment having a first suture configuration and a second suture segment having a second suture configuration. The first and second suture configurations can be different from each other. For example, the first suture configuration can includes a first set of characteristics such as barbed or non-barbed, barb sizes, filament sizes, colors, materials, and/or the like and the second suture configuration can include a second set of characteristics such as barbed or non-barbed, barb sizes, filament sizes, colors, materials and/or the like that can be different from the first set of characteristics. The wound closure device can further include connecting section configured to provide a transition from the first suture segment to the second suture segment.