A device that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. The device can have a first jaw having a first jaw channel and a first jaw first stop. The shuttle can have a shuttle longitudinal axis and a shuttle first stop. The shuttle first stop can have a shuttle first stop distal end. The shuttle first stop distal end can be deflectable into the first jaw first stop. When the shuttle first stop distal end is in contact with the first jaw first stop, the shuttle can be passively retained in the first jaw. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site.

A system for aligning a needle driver with a tip of a suture needle includes a suture needle package having a base, a needle driver alignment guide, and at least one connector for securing the suture needle. The needle driver alignment guide has first and second lateral guide walls that oppose one another for defining a needle driver guide channel. An end wall interconnects the first and second lateral guide walls for defining a distal end of the needle driver alignment guide. The at least one connector secures the suture needle over the base and controls the orientation of the suture needle so that a tip of the suture needle is located within the suture needle guide channel and is bounded by the end wall and the first and second lateral guide walls. A needle driver has a clamping assembly at a distal end that engages the end wall of the needle driver alignment guide for aligning the clamping assembly with the tip of the suture needle.

A needle and suture assembly includes a needle made of a superelastic alloy, such as Nitinol, including an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end with a sharpened tip, a suture having a free end juxtaposed with the proximal end of the elongated body of the needle, and a connector disposed between the needle and the suture. The connector includes a first end attached to the proximal end of the elongated body of the needle and a second end attached to the free end of the suture. The connector is made of a material, such as stainless steel, having less elasticity and greater plasticity than the superelastic alloy of the needle.

An apparatus for transferring mechanical energy in a handle to a cartridge to manipulate tissue or anatomical structures within the body of a human or animal subject for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders. The handle and cartridge contain safety interlocks.

A medical instrument assembly including a handle assembly having a first handle portion and a second handle portion proximate the second end, wherein the second handle portion is slidably engaged with the first handle portion. A first localization element is attached to the first handle portion and a second localization element is attached to the second handle portion. A medical instrument is mechanically coupled to the second handle portion and a translation of the second handle portion with respect to the first handle portion causes a coincident and coextensive translation of the medical instrument. The amount of translation of the medical instrument is adapted to be determined by calculating the distance between the first localization element and the second localization element. The first and second localization elements may be electromagnetic sensors which positions may be determined by a navigation system.

A reconfigurable suture needle includes an elongated body having a curved proximal section and a curved distal section. A joint interconnects a distal end of the curved proximal section and a proximal end of the curved distal section. The joint enables the curved proximal section and the curved distal section to rotate relative to one another between a first configuration having a higher profile and a second configuration having a lower profile. Each of the curved proximal and distal sections of the elongated body defines about one-quarter of a circle. The elongated body has a semi-circular shape when in the first configuration and a wave shape when in the second configuration. The elongated body is rotated into the smaller profile for passing through a cannula and, after passing through the cannula, rotated back into the higher profile for use as a suturing needle.

An apparatus for transferring mechanical energy in a handle to a cartridge to manipulate tissue or anatomical structures within the body of a human or animal subject for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders. The handle and cartridge contain safety interlocks.

An apparatus for transferring mechanical energy in a handle to a cartridge to manipulate tissue or anatomical structures within the body of a human or animal subject for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders. The handle and cartridge contain safety interlocks.

A method and system of enhancing facial or other body sites that are sagging, including incisionlessly inserting a lumen into a head or other areas of the body of a patient, the lumen having a first end configured to penetrate skin and a superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) of the patient, and having a first end with a suture attached thereto, a main control unit configured to translate, rotate, and flex the lumen, such that the lumen is steerable around an ear of the patient, and such that the suture remains under the skin of the face and passes through the SMAS, directing the lumen to exit the skin, detaching the lumen from the suture, and pulling taught the suture to elevate the SMAS.

A composite suture needle configured for passing through a smaller cannula used in minimally invasive surgery includes a curved elongated body made of stainless steel. The curved elongated body has a proximal end and a distal end with a pointed tip. The composite suture needle includes a sheath overlying the curved elongated body. The sheath is curved for conforming to the shape of the curved elongated body. The sheath is made of a material that is more elastic than the curved elongated body. The pointed tip of the curved elongated body extends distally beyond the distal end of the sheath. The curved elongated body is made of stainless steel and the sheath is made of a material, such as nitinol, that is more elastic than the elongated body.