A suture needle system includes a first needle and at least one second needle. Each of the first and second needles preferably has a common needle body construct. The first needle includes an elongate suture having a length sufficient to extend at least the length of an instrument channel of an endoscope. The second needle includes an opening formed by a loop of suture at which the second needle can be advanced over the elongate suture. In use, the first needle is secured to a first tissue location using an endoscopic suturing system. A second needle is advanced at its opening over the elongate suture and secured to a second tissue location. Additional second needles may be advanced over the elongate suture to respective tissue locations. The elongate suture is pulled taut, drawing the second needles into proximity, and secured.

The present invention provides a suturing device to minimize interference and obstructions during intricate surgeries. The curled suture device is significantly shorter than traditional suturing kits by featuring a needle attached to a specially manufactured thread incorporating a stopping mechanism preceding an angular, semi-rigid portion of thread followed by a curled portion of thread arranged in a corkscrew configuration. The stopping mechanism halts the movement of the thread as the needle and thread intermediate the needle and stopping mechanism is pulled through the suture point, securing the remainder of the thread for access. The semi-rigid portion of thread is thereby utilized in conjunction with its curled portion of thread, allowing for the user's unabated access to the corkscrew configuration to form a ready-made knot, minimizing interference and obstruction during surgery. The thread may be manufactured to form an additional semi-rigid and curled portions of thread upon creation of a knot.

Systems and methods are provided and adapted to engage and pull (e.g., pull up) or reposition urethral support tissue, such as the portion of the perineal membrane above or below the urethra. The perineal membrane intersects the urethra and vagina at the midurethra or distal location and can thus be stabilized or controlled in a manner that helps restore continence.

A method of transfascial suturing may include delivering a suture assembly into an abdominal cavity of a patient, passing a suture anchor, from within the abdominal cavity, through a soft tissue repair prosthetic provided in the abdominal cavity and then through the abdominal wall to a location either above or below the skin, and tightening the suture assembly. An instrument for transfascial suturing may include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and a drive system for advancing a suture or suture assembly out of the instrument and across the fascia. The instrument may advance a suture anchor and a suture from within the abdominal cavity and across the abdominal wall to present the suture anchor on the opposite side of the fascia. The instrument may be adapted to present the suture anchor either above or below the skin surface for subsequent tightening of the suture assembly.

The present disclosure includes a plurality of securing devices. For example, the present disclosure includes securing devices comprising sutures, everting anchors, and inverting anchors. The sutures and anchors disclosed herein may be capable of deployment to a depth within a body lumen, such that body tissue external to the body lumen is not damaged by the devices. Moreover, in various embodiments, the securing devices described herein may couple one or more medical devices (e.g., stents, grafts, and/or stent-grafts) to body tissue such as a body lumen.

There is provided a suture passer device used in procedures of robotic assisted minimally invasive suspension of the hyoid and tongue base in treatment of sleep apnea. The suture passer device is a dual use suture passer, having both suture insertor and extractor functionality on a single unitary instrument section of the device by means of insertion and extraction hooks positioned on an elongated needlelike body which is connected to a handle grip. The insertion and extraction hooks receive a suture via an opening in the body of the instrument, with the suture capable of removal and fastening to the extraction hook by robotic forceps. Procedures for using the device are disclosed which include a single point of entry on a patient and the device moved to first and second positions above and below the hyoid bone during robotic assisted surgery.

Various methods and devices are provided for reducing the volume of the ventricles of the heart. In one embodiment, a method for reducing the ventricular volume of a heart chamber is provided including the steps of inserting an anchoring mechanism onto dysfunctional cardiac tissue, deploying one or more anchors into the dysfunctional cardiac tissue, raising the dysfunctional cardiac tissue using the anchors, and securing the anchors to hold the dysfunctional cardiac tissue in place. Further, a device for reducing the volume of the ventricles of a heart chamber is provided where the device has one or more clips for placement on dysfunctional cardiac tissue of a heart, one or more anchors for deployment and securement into the dysfunctional cardiac tissue, and a lifting mechanism for raising the one or more anchors and the dysfunctional cardiac tissue.

Absorbable monofilament fibers and self-retaining sutures with high tensile strengths have been developed. The straight pull tensile strengths of the absorbable self-retaining sutures closely approximate, equal or exceed the average minimum knot-pull tensile standards set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). These higher strength absorbable self-retaining sutures can therefore be used either without needing to oversize the suture for a given procedure, or by oversizing the self-retaining suture by no more than 0.1 mm in diameter. In one embodiment, the absorbable self-retaining sutures are made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or copolymers thereof.

The disclosure provides improved methods and devices to create a hammock effect to stabilize the urethra without creating an incision in the abdomen or the vagina, and without using a surgical mesh. Such implementations can also leave no permanent material in the body. The simplicity afforded by such procedures and methods permits treatment of patients on an outpatient basis, and avoids risks and disadvantages associated with the installation of a permanent mesh.

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.