An anchor arrangement is provided for surgical tissue repair, such as in particular for repair of a meniscus tear, having at least one first anchor and one second anchor, which are movable along a hollow needle for placement on a tissue to be repaired and connected to each other via a seam element. The first anchor and the second anchor each extend between a distal end and a proximal end and form a guide surface on the outside thereof for contacting an inside of a hollow needle at least in part. In addition, there are deflectors on the anchors, via which a torque can be applied at least in part to the anchors during or after setting. At least one of the anchors has at least two anchor sections, which are movable relative to each other and which can be pivoted relative to each other between a folded position, in which the guide surface spans a cross-section deviating from a circular profile, and an unfolded position.

A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.

The present invention includes, in one embodiment, a method of forming a suture having various cross-sectional shapes, the method including the steps of braiding the suture such that the suture has a first cross-sectional shape along a length; holding a first end of the suture and holding the suture at a second position at a location in between the first end and a second end such that a first portion of the suture is defined between the first end and the second position; manipulating the first end relative to the second position to alter the first portion of the suture into an altered cross-sectional shape different from the first cross-sectional shape; and releasing the first end and the second position, wherein the step of manipulating is performed such that, upon release, the first portion maintains its manipulated shape.

A medical device for joining materials is provided. The device comprises a piercing element configured to penetrate materials to be joined. The piercing element is sufficiently sharp to penetrate materials to be joined and comprises a hollow interior along at least a portion of its length configured to distal advancement of a fastener therethrough; and an open tip through which the fastener can be pushed. The device can be used for fastening materials including tissue, synthetic mesh, and biologic mesh (e.g., ADM).

An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.

Embodiments may have one or more projections which engage one or more recesses to position the sections of the retainer relative to each other. An applicator assembly may be used to apply energy to the retainer. Energy applied to the retainer may affect bonding of end portions of the projections to bottom portions of recesses in the retainer. The end portions of the projections may function as energy directors which concentrate energy. The applicator assembly may grip the retainer with a predetermined force. While the applicator assembly is gripping the retainer, the applicator assembly may apply energy to the retainer to effect bonding of sections of the retainer together.

Embodiments may have one or more projections which engage one or more recesses to position the sections of the retainer relative to each other. An applicator assembly may be used to apply energy to the retainer. Energy applied to the retainer may affect bonding of end portions of the projections to bottom portions of recesses in the retainer. The end portions of the projections may function as energy directors which concentrate energy. The applicator assembly may grip the retainer with a predetermined force. While the applicator assembly is gripping the retainer, the applicator assembly may apply energy to the retainer to effect bonding of sections of the retainer together.

A system is provided for delivering respective anchors into spaced apart locations along an annulus of a mitral valve. The system includes a first catheter member having a first lumen formed therein for receiving a first guide wire and also includes a second catheter member that is configured to move between an expanded position and a collapsed position relative to the first catheter member. The second catheter member has a lumen formed therein for receiving a second guide wire when the second catheter member is in the expanded position. The second catheter member is fixedly connected to the first catheter member by a first connector (that defines first and second living hinges) which is configured to deploy under a select condition to automatically cause the second catheter member to move to the expanded position.