Apparatus and methods for occluding hollow body structures, such as blood vessels, and for attaching tissue layers together by providing implantable elements on opposite sides of the structure or tissue layers and drawing the implants together to occlude the body structure and/or bring the tissue layers together. The implants are deliverable in a low-profile configuration and self-expand to an enlarged configuration. The implantable elements are delivered by transfixing the body structure, then releasing the implants on opposite sides of the body structure and drawing the implants together to effect an occlusion or attachment. The implants are configured to apply oppositely directed forces to opposite surfaces of the tissue layers at alternate, circumferentially spaced locations and may constrain the tissue in a serpentine pattern or in a direct clamping pattern. The implants grip the tissue in a manner that defines a pressure zone about the transfixion aperture that prevents leakage from the aperture. The implants have a low profile in that they have a relatively short axial dimension relative to their deployed diameter.

The fastener assemblies, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are generally directed to a first T-fastener and a second T-fastener securable to one another through the use of a suture extending therebetween and deliverable to an anatomical location using a minimally invasive technique. For example, a cannula of a needle assembly may be percutaneously deliverable to a treatment site and, through actuation of a hub of the needle assembly, the first T-fastener and the second T-fastener may be deliverable relative to biological tissue to be fastened at the treatment site. The suture may intracorporeally fasten the first T-fastener and the second T-fastener relative to one another for robust securement biological tissue therebetween. As compared to securement using external fixation, the fastener assemblies, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may facilitate intracorporeally fastening tissue while reducing or eliminating certain requirements associated with postoperative care.

Methods, devices, and systems for mechanically reducing the volume of the lung. Some embodiments include endobronchially positioning an anchoring device within a lung, the anchoring device comprising at least a distal anchor, expanding at least a portion of the distal anchor to anchor the distal anchor against lung lumen tissue, and tensioning at least a portion of the device to reduce the volume of the lung.

Systems and methods are provided for performing tensionable knotless surgical procedures. A suture locking device that includes a one-way locking mechanism may be utilized for tensioning and locking one or more strands of suture during the surgical procedure. The one-way locking mechanism may be established by one or more locking barbs of the suture locking device.

A percutaneous device for closing blood vessels has a main body in which a distal clip and a proximal clip connected to each other by a tie rod are accommodated, an abutment element, and a handle for maneuvering the distal and proximal clips, the abutment element and the tie rod. The distal clip has a proximal housing, and the proximal clip has a distal housing and a proximal housing. The tie rod is positioned inside the housings when the distal and proximal clips are inserted inside the main body, so as to not interfere with correct sliding thereof.

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.

An internal bracing system is disclosed for stabilizing a joint such as the knee, shoulder, ankle or the like. The internal bracing system includes an extra-articular tension band mechanism and an anchor assembly therefore. The internal bracing system adds substantial control to unstable joints which is effective in limiting the pathological joint motions and internal slippage. The anchor anchoring assembly designed to affix a tethering device to various bony structures which form a joint, for the purpose of providing stability. The anchor assembly includes an anchor and a set screw. A series of disc structures compressed by the set screw securely holds the tether without binding.

A surgical suture system, tissue restraint/suture capture and tissue anchor for tissue repair and reattachment of torn tissue to a tissue substrate, medical, veterinary or dental prosthesis or medical implant. The system includes a plurality of tissue restraints/suture captures which each include a central locking aperture sized and configured to receive a beaded suture member passed therethrough which minimizes longitudinal tensioning and/or restraining movement, the “GO” force, of a beaded suture member in the forwardly direction through the locking apertures for suture tightening and which maximizes “NO-GO” force to pull the suture in the reverse direction. Uniquely configured tissue anchors and other medically implantable devices securely receive one of the tissue restraints/suture captures for tensioning of a suture member between tissue and the tissue anchor.

A sleeve for soft tissue repair includes a cylindrical tube formed of at least one biocompatible material, and a suture tethered to one end of the cylindrical tube. The cylindrical tube is configured to be fitted over a soft tissue. The cylindrical tube is configured to reversibly and repeatedly deform from a relaxed state to a stretched state in which the cylindrical tube contracts in a radial direction and expands in a longitudinal direction to secure the soft tissue within the cylindrical tube.

Devices, systems, and methods for treating a heart of a patient may make use of one or more implant structures which limit a size of a chamber of the heart, such as by deploying a tensile member to bring a wall of the heart toward (optionally into contact with) a septum of the heart.