A method of sewing preserved animal tissue to a manmade work piece that forms a part of a prospective bioprosthetic heart valve. The method utilizes a needle having an attached suture length and also having a relative object visibility of less than 0.8 relative to a standard straight surgical needle. Also, this needle has a volume of less than 7 mm.sup.3 and a surface area of less than 70 mm.sup.2, is formed entirely of 300 series stainless steel, and has an eye, and the suture length is threaded through the eye. The needle having an attached suture length is used to manually sew the animal tissue to the manmade work piece that forms a part of the prospective bioprosthetic heart valve, while maintaining sufficient optical closeness to maintain the visibility of the needle.

According to an aspect, pelvic implants optionally including the ability to engage a spreader tool for spreading the implant within the patient, also optionally including a frame, exemplary implants being capable of being used to treat pelvic floor disorders, for example by supporting of levator tissue, and methods of surgically placing pelvic implants.

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a support portion disposable within a pelvic region and a strap extending from the support portion. The strap has a length and is configured to be disposed at least partially within a pelvic tissue. A sleeve is releasably disposed over at least a portion of the strap. The sleeve has a length that is longer than the length of the strap. In some embodiments, the length of the sleeve is at least twice as long as the length of the strap. In some embodiments, a suture couples the sleeve to the strap. The apparatus can also include a suture disposed at least partially within an interior of the sleeve and forming two strands of suture within the interior of the sleeve. The two strands are separated by a distance defined by a separator portion of the sleeve.

Systems and methods for closing a tissue defect are disclosed. The systems may include a subcutaneous guide that is placed transcutaneously between two skin access sites and a self-locking strap that may be advanced into the body through a first access site via a first needle and then passed to a second needle. The strap may be withdrawn with the second needle through a second access site to the outside of the body. The strap may be withdrawn from the first needle, leaving the strap placed through both access sites and across the defect. As the subcutaneous guide is withdrawn from the body it pulls the captured strap such that both ends of the strap protrude from the first access site, allowing the strap to be tightened around the defect. Devices for closure of a tissue defect are also disclosed.

Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland).

A device for use in bariatric surgery includes a flexible hollow tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defines a channel therebetween. A series of openings is defined in a distal portion of the tube allowing for fixation of tissue using suction. A flexible member has an initial position disposed alongside the tube and is deployable to a subsequent position in which the flexible member engages a greater curvature of a stomach. The flexible member is configured to be deployable to automatically assume a shape of a greater curvature of a stomach. The flexible member includes a bulging region and a tapering region when deployed. The flexible member is releasably attached to the distal end of the tube.

A positioning and retrieval device manipulated by carrying element coupled to a handle and driven by an actuator that allows for axial movement and rotational movement of a capturing portion on the carrying element.

An implantable device for treating a patient suffering from female urinary stress incontinence includes an elongate sling for supporting the urethra, the sling having first and second ends. First and second tabs extend from the first and second ends of the sling, respectively for engaging supportive tissue superior to the portion of the urethra being supported. Each tab has a ratcheted section of alternating relatively projecting and relatively recessed portions for engaging the supportive tissue.

An insertion device includes an elongate member and a stylet. The elongate member has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and defines a lumen therethrough. The stylet has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and is slidably coupled to the elongate member. The stylet is configured to move from a first position to a second position with respect to the elongate member. The proximal end portion of the stylet is configured to removably couple a mesh carrier thereto. A portion of the proximal end portion of the stylet is disposed outside of the lumen of the elongate member when the stylet is in its first position and is disposed within the lumen when the stylet is in its second position.

A suturing device includes a curved needle, a suture, an elongate body, an actuator and a curved needle holder. The suture connects with the curved needle. The actuator interacts with the elongate body and is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. The curved needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The curved needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip. The curved needle holder includes an inner surface defining a needle passage for holding the needle and a distal opening. The curved needle has a curved needle radius and the curved needle passage has a curved needle passage radius that is different than the curved needle radius and the curved needle frictionally engages the inner surface when the needle is in a retracted position.