A fistula treatment system comprises a guide such as a guide coil 1101 which is adapted to extend partially around a tissue tract and an implant element 1102. The implant element 1102 is activated to draw tissue surrounding the tract inwardly.

Veins and other blood vessels may be reshaped by introducing an implant through the vessel walls with anchors positioned on opposite sides of the wall. The anchors typically include an elongate body having coils or other anchors formed therein. The implants may be delivered percutaneously using a cannula which can hold the anchor externally or internally. The methods and devices are useful in treating a dorsal vein to reduce blood flow in patients suffering from erectile dysfunction.

A method of suturing includes: (1) wrapping a first segment of a suture through a traction loop; (2) pulling the traction loop and the first segment through an opening in a suture lock; (3) continuing to pull the traction loop such that a second segment of the suture extends through the opening, wherein the second segment has a greater denier than the first segment such that the second segment more nearly fills an entire dimension of the opening than the first segment; and (4) locking the suture in place with the second segment in the opening.

A tissue anchor deployment device includes a needle having a slotted portion including a longitudinal slot that runs from a distal end of the needle and a suture having a first coil portion including a plurality of turns that wrap around a first portion of the slotted portion of the needle, a second coil portion including a plurality of turns that wrap around a second portion slotted portion of the needle that is proximal to the first portion of the slotted portion of the needle, and an internal coupling portion that runs within the first coil portion and the second coil portion and couples a distal end of the first coil portion to a proximal end of the second coil portion.

A method of suturing includes: (1) wrapping a first segment of a suture through a traction loop; (2) pulling the traction loop and the first segment through an opening in a suture lock; (3) continuing to pull the traction loop such that a second segment of the suture extends through the opening, wherein the second segment has a greater denier than the first segment such that the second segment more nearly fills an entire dimension of the opening than the first segment; and (4) locking the suture in place with the second segment in the opening.

Various devices, systems, and methods for anchoring sutures are provided In general, a suture anchor can include a groove formed in an exterior surface thereof and configured to seat a suture at least partially therein. The suture can be configured to automatically become seated in the groove during the advancement of the anchor into bone, such as by being rotated therein using a driver tool. The suture and the groove can have cooperating sizes such that the suture seated in the groove extends radially outward therefrom to be partially located outside of the anchor. This external portion of the suture can be press fit between the anchor and the bone, thereby securing both the anchor and the suture to the bone. This securing can occur as part of driving the anchor into bone.

An apparatus for making surgical braids comprises a plurality of bobbin carrier assemblies. An active track engages at least some of the bobbin carrier assemblies. A passive track arranged to selectively engage at least one of the bobbin assemblies, and a gate positioned between the active track and the passive track. The gate defines an inter-track path and an intra-track path. The gate has an open position wherein the inter-track path is aligned between the active and passive tracks. The gate further has a closed position wherein the intra-track path is aligned with the active track.

A method for treating a tumor at least partially within an organ in a subject's body. The method comprises volumetrically compressing the tumor to increase a pressure within the tumor above a threshold level to cause ischemia of the tumor; and maintaining the pressure above the threshold level for a period sufficient to cause necrosis in the tumor. The method may include passing a tension member within the organ around a predetermined volumetric region encompassing at least a portion of the tumor. The method may include tightening the tension member to cause compression of the volumetric region, thereby directly increasing a pressure within the tumor. The method may include maintaining the increased pressure such that most or all tissues of the tumor undergo ischemia and/or necrosis resulting directly from the compression caused by the tightened tension member.

A method for treating a tumor at least partially within an organ in a subject's body. The method comprises volumetrically compressing the tumor to increase a pressure within the tumor above a threshold level to cause ischemia of the tumor; and maintaining the pressure above the threshold level for a period sufficient to cause necrosis in the tumor. The method may include passing a tension member within the organ around a predetermined volumetric region encompassing at least a portion of the tumor. The method may include tightening the tension member to cause compression of the volumetric region, thereby directly increasing a pressure within the tumor. The method may include maintaining the increased pressure such that most or all tissues of the tumor undergo ischemia and/or necrosis resulting directly from the compression caused by the tightened tension member.

A tissue anchor deployment device includes a needle having a slotted portion including a longitudinal slot that runs from a distal end of the needle and a suture having a first coil portion including a plurality of turns that wrap around a first portion of the slotted portion of the needle, a second coil portion including a plurality of turns that wrap around a second portion slotted portion of the needle that is proximal to the first portion of the slotted portion of the needle, and an internal coupling portion that runs within the first coil portion and the second coil portion and couples a distal end of the first coil portion to a proximal end of the second coil portion.