The disclosure provides devices and methods of use pertaining to extra joint stabilization. Embodiments include a number of suture returning and locking anchors that feature both a suture return element and a suture locking feature that employs an interference fit between a flexible synthetic strand, a receiver of the anchor, and a set screw, where the receiver and the set screw each have a number of gradual, opposing tapers to facilitate gradual proximal-to-distal gripping and releasing of the flexible strand to achieve an optimal locking force while preventing severing of the flexible strand. Embodiments also include a counter-torque anchor driver configured to resist torsional forces generated during and translated to the anchor during set-screw insertion. Further embodiments include extra joint reinforcement, stabilization, and attachment constructs formed using the disclosed devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A method of deploying a blood-flow controlling device is described for treating a native mitral or tricuspid valve. The blood-flow controlling device includes a blood-flow blocking portion that is slidable over an elongate body portion. The blood-flow blocking portion is preferably an elongate structure fillable with blood having a portion adapted for placement between leaflets of the native valve. An anchor is located on a distal end of the elongate body portion for engagement with heart tissue adjacent a heart apex. An anchor delivery catheter is advanced through the native valve and into an adjacent ventricle. The anchor is then expelled from the anchor delivery catheter into ventricular tissue. The blood-flow blocking portion is then slid along the elongate body portion and positioned between the native leaflets. A locking catheter is then slid along the elongate body portion for locking the blood-flow blocking portion to the elongate body portion.

Methods and devices are provided for securing tissue to bone. A surgical system can include a guide, a suture anchor including a sheath and a screw, a first driver shaft, and a second driver shaft. The first driver shaft can be configured to be removably received within a lumen of the guide such that an awl tip thereof extends beyond a distal end of the sheath. The sheath and the guide can have first and second side openings, respectively, that can receive at least one suture therethrough. The second driver shaft can be configured to be removably received within the lumen of the guide when the first elongate shaft is removed therefrom, the second driver shaft having a distal driver member configured to be removably received within a proximal channel formed in the screw to drive the screw into mating engagement with the sheath.

Methods and systems are provided for securing tissue to bone. A surgical system can include an outer shaft, an elongate inner shaft, and an implantable suture anchor assembly including first and second anchor bodies. The second, more proximal, anchor body has one or more openings extending through a side wall or through opposed side walls thereof. The inner shaft is configured to be received within the outer shaft and through the first and second anchor bodies such that a distal end of the inner shaft protrudes beyond a distal end of the first anchor body. The inner shaft is configured to be removably coupled to the first anchor body such that the inner shaft is configured to be rotated to cause a proximal portion of the first anchor body to move proximally into a lumen extending through the second anchor body and to occlude the opening in the second anchor body.

According to some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for non-invasively detecting the force generated by a non-invasively adjustable implantable medical device and/or a change in dimension of a non-invasively adjustable implantable medical device. Some of the systems include a non-invasively adjustable implant, which includes a driven magnet, and an external adjustment device, which includes one or more driving magnets and one or more Hall effect sensors. The Hall effect sensors of the external adjustment device are configured to detect changes in the magnetic field between the driven magnet of the non-invasively adjustable implant and the driving magnet(s) of the external adjustment device. Changes in the magnetic fields may be used to calculate the force generated by and/or a change in dimension of the non-invasively adjustable implantable medical device.

In one embodiment, an adjustable implant system includes a bone anchor having first and second ends, a bone engagement surface adjacent the first end, and a housing extending between the first and second ends. The adjustable implant system can further include a non-invasively actuatable driving element within the housing and coupled to an adjustment component configured to couple to a flexible elongate tension member which is capable of engaging a patient's soft tissue (e.g., rotator cuff or ACL). Non-invasive actuation of the driving element can cause the adjustment component to change the amount of tension on the flexible elongate tension member and consequently on the patient's soft tissue. The adjustable implant system can include an external adjustment device configured to be placed on or adjacent the patient's skin and comprising at least one energy transferring component configured to energize/actuate the driving element inside the housing of the adjustable implant.

A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

Apparatus and methods are described herein for use in the delivery of a prosthetic mitral valve. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tether fixer assembly configured to engage an outside surface of a heart to secure a prosthetic heart valve in position within the heart. The fixer assembly defines a lumen configured to receive therethrough a tether extending from the prosthetic valve and a movable portion. The fixer assembly is movable between a first configuration, in which the movable portion is disengaged with the tether, and a second configuration in which the movable portion is engaged with the tether. The fixer assembly can be disposed against an epicardial pad positioned on the outside surface of the heart when in the second configuration to secure the prosthetic valve, the epicardial pad and tether in a desired position within the heart.

A system (100) for a controlled stressing of a reconstructed or re-natured ligament of a human or animal body comprises an anchoring element (10) for implantation in a first bone (50), at least one connecting element (120) and a holding element (30), which fixes the at least one connecting element (20) in a second bone. According to the invention, an elastomer element (125) is arranged in the anchoring element and/or in the connecting element (120) and provides a defined elastic action through the cooperation of elastomer element (125) with the connecting element (120).

Syndesmosis fixation assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. A syndesmosis fixation assembly includes a suture retaining portion having a plurality of suture openings formed therein and a suture securing portion rotatably connected to the suture retaining portion. The suture securing portion is movable between a first position wherein a suture is moveable within the suture retaining portion and a second position wherein the suture is frictionally secured within the suture retaining portion. A bone insertion portion has a distal bone insertion end adapted for insertion into a bone, a proximal bone insertion end connected to the suture retaining portion, and a central longitudinal axis extending between the distal bone insertion end and the proximal bone insertion end.