A suture assembly may include a needle having a cylindrical body with a sharp point on at least one end, a lumen extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body, and a recess in communication with an opening to the lumen. A suture extends through the lumen and is secured within the recess of the needle by a sleeve extending over the needle.

An interlocking two-part sewing needle includes a first needle portion having a needle tip and a second needle portion configured to be inserted into the first needle portion for removably connecting the first needle portion and the second needle portion together. A needle receiver is formed in the first needle portion and is configured to receive the second needle portion when the second needle portion is inserted into the first needle portion. The needle receiver includes one or more non-resistance sections. Each non-resistance section is configured to exert only a friction force on the second needle portion when the second needle portion is inserted into the needle receiver. Additionally, the needle receiver includes one or more resistance sections. Each resistance section is configured to exert a compressive force on the second needle portion when the second needle portion is inserted into the needle receiver.

A suture passing device includes a jaw assembly having both a loose suture capturing mechanism and a tight suture grasping mechanism. The jaw assembly includes a pair of jaw members biased to a default diverging configuration. At least one jaw member includes a hook that defines a closed loop and a dead-end channel for loosely receiving suture when the jaw assembly is in the closed position. The jaw assembly is formed at a distal portion of a thin bendable ribbon.

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.

Systems and methods for creating autologous monocuspid and bicuspid valves can include a catheter having a single expandable element or a double expandable element. Once the leaflets of the valve are created, various techniques can be used to fix the leaflets to the vessel wall or to each other, including clips, tissue anchors, adhesives, and heat.

A medical device includes a surgical needle, an elongated suture, and an intervening segment. The elongated suture has a first end proximate to the needle and a second end located away from the needle. The elongated suture also includes a plurality of fibers defining a mesh wall between the first and second ends. A plurality of pores extend through the mesh wall, at least some which are in the macroporous size range of greater than 200 microns for facilitating tissue integration when introduced into a body. The intervening segment is disposed between and connected to either or both ends of the elongated suture and the needle. The intervening segment includes one or more fibers of the plurality of fibers and has a cross-sectional dimension smaller than a cross-sectional dimension of the mesh wall such that the intervening segment facilitates indirect attachment of the elongated macroporous mesh suture to the needle.

Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression are described. The system can include a shaft and a needle, wherein the needle is freely rotatable with respect to the shaft. The suture may include an overmolded segment. Methods of placing one or more implants, sutures, fastener, bone anchors and other devices are also described. The methods include moving tissue, including the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, palatopharyngeal arch, and palatoglossal arch. The methods include hyoid bone suspension.

A surgical anchoring device may include a first beam and a second beam each extending along a longitudinal direction; and a connecting member bridging a first proximal portion of the first beam to a second proximal portion of the second beam such that the first beam is substantially aligned with the second beam. In addition, the anchoring device may include a first barb protruding from a medial side of the first beam, wherein the first barb extends diagonally in a generally proximal direction; and a second barb protruding from a medial side of the second beam, wherein the second barb extends diagonally in a generally proximal direction. The first barb may include a proximal facing surface that is separated from the first beam by a recess.

A laparoscopic suture passer comprises an elongated shaft, and a jaw assembly coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft. The jaw assembly comprises first and second jaw members hingedly associated with each other. The jaw members are configured for being alternately displaced relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. The laparoscopic suture passer further comprises a hollow needle comprising a slotted bore extending along the entire length thereof. The hollow needle has a blunt end and a sharp end opposite the blunt end. The blunt end of the hollow needle is hingedly coupled to the first jaw member for being alternately hinged between a retracted position, wherein the hollow needle is stowed in the first jaw member, and a deployed position, wherein the hollow needle extends away from the first jaw member.

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.