A joint stabilization (reduction) system and associated methods and tools for placement of the system in an open or minimally invasive technique. The joint stabilization system includes a flexible prosthetic band for stabilizing the bones in proper position and a connector mechanism for joining the two ends of the prosthetic band around the bones. One end of the prosthetic band can be permanently attached to the connector.

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.

A catheter device includes a tube, and an extracorporeal unit coupled to a proximal end of the tube. An implant includes a series of anchors and a tether. The series of anchors includes a first anchor and other anchors, arranged along the extracorporeal unit. Each of the anchors includes a tissue-engaging element, and a head that defines an eyelet. The tether extends, along the extracorporeal unit, through the eyelet of each of the other anchors to the first anchor such that (i) the first anchor is advanceable, with a distal end of the tether, distally into and through the tube toward the tissue, and (ii) subsequently, the other anchors are slidable, sequentially, over and along the tether, distally into and through the tube toward the first anchor. Other applications are also described.

A catheter device includes a tube, and an extracorporeal unit coupled to a proximal end of the tube. An implant includes a series of anchors and a tether. The series of anchors includes a first anchor and other anchors, arranged along the extracorporeal unit. Each of the anchors includes a tissue-engaging element, and a head that defines an eyelet. The tether extends, along the extracorporeal unit, through the eyelet of each of the other anchors to the first anchor such that (i) the first anchor is advanceable, with a distal end of the tether, distally into and through the tube toward the tissue, and (ii) subsequently, the other anchors are slidable, sequentially, over and along the tether, distally into and through the tube toward the first anchor. Other applications are also described.

Various exemplary devices, systems, and methods for knotless anchor temporary suture capture are provided. In general, an inserter tool is configured for knotless anchor insertion in a soft tissue repair surgical procedure. The inserter tool is configured to insert an anchor into a bone of a patient to secure a soft tissue relative to the bone. A suture coupled to the soft tissue is secured relative to the bone by being trapped between an exterior surface of the anchor and a bone surface defining a hole in the bone in which the anchor is positioned. The inserter tool and the anchor are configured to cooperate with one another to temporarily capture and lock the suture with respect to the anchor and the inserter tool before the anchor is secured in the bone hole.

Drainage device for draining a biological fluid from an eye to a tissue external to the eye, as well as methods of forming the drainage device and treating glaucoma using the drainage device, are disclosed. The drainage device is implantable at least in part within a tissue of the eye and includes a collapsible body portion defining a reservoir, and a conduit having a first end fluidly coupled with the reservoir and a second end insertable into the eye to facilitate a drainage of the biological fluid into the conduit. When collapsed, the body portion includes a deformation from a first planar state to a second nonplanar state, where the second nonplanar state may be a folded, deformed, bent, or crumpled state.

Drainage device for draining a biological fluid from an eye to a tissue external to the eye, as well as methods of forming the drainage device and treating glaucoma using the drainage device, are disclosed. The drainage device is implantable at least in part within a tissue of the eye and includes a collapsible body portion defining a reservoir, and a conduit having a first end fluidly coupled with the reservoir and a second end insertable into the eye to facilitate a drainage of the biological fluid into the conduit. When collapsed, the body portion includes a deformation from a first planar state to a second nonplanar state, where the second nonplanar state may be a folded, deformed, bent, or crumpled state.

Disclosed are a lead method of suturing an acutely ruptured Achilles tendon and a device used in it. The suturing device includes a suture line, guide lines, a clamping instrument and suture needles. As performing suturing, the clamping instrument is inserted into the fascia sheath of Achilles tendon to clamp Achilles tendon, the suture line and the guide lines are made to penetrate Achilles tendon and skin through the threading hole on the clamping instrument by the suture needle, wherein the suture line is located far away from Achilles tendon rupture; the guide lines are used to guide the suture line, so that both ends of the suture line can penetrate Achilles tendon in turn along the guide lines, and the suture line is tightened and knotted on the two ruptured Achilles tendons.

The present invention describes systems and methods for treating mitral valve regurgitation. The treatment includes a systems and method of modifying the mitral valve by attaching a device to each leaflet and pulling them toward each other to stop mitral valve regurgitation.

Ligament injury is a common injury among both high-level and everyday athletes. There is increasing research demonstrating the factors that place individuals at increased risk of ligament injury. These include, biological, genetic, morphological, anatomic, neuromuscular, hormonal, gender, activity-related, environmental, and psychological factors among others. The present invention presents a novel native ligament-graft complex and method by which a native ligamentous or tendinous structure in the human or animal body may be supplemented in order to decrease risk of future injury. This invention involves supplementation of the native ligament in human or animal subjects through the use of autograft, allograft, biologic, and/or synthetic graft incorporation and fixation to native tissue for the purpose of increasing the threshold to injury for the native ligament.