Nipple areolar grafting methods and apparatus are described herein where one variation of a tissue transfer apparatus may generally comprise a first support structure having an elliptical or circular configuration sized to encircle a region of tissue and defining a first opening through the first support structure, a first plurality of piercing features projecting from a first side of the first support structure, a second support structure having an elliptical or circular configuration sized to encircle the region of tissue and defining a second opening which is further configured to encircle the first support structure, and a second plurality of piercing features projecting from a first side of the second support structure such that the first and second piercing features are adjacent to one another.

Surgical constructs, assemblies and methods of tissue fixation are disclosed. A surgical construct includes a spreadable web attached to a plurality of peripheral strands. The spreadable web may be tensionable and may include one or more flexible filaments or strands. At least one of the filaments is coupled to the peripheral strands. The filaments may extend from the peripheral strands in different directions and/or orientations. The spreadable web is expandable and can be adjusted to various widths. The spreadable web may be knotless. The spreadable web may be tensionable. The surgical construct may be attached to one or more knotted or knotless fixation devices.

A surgical device comprising an elongated body, a tissue penetrating apparatus and a light projector. The elongated body can reach with distal end thereof a surface of an organ within a subject's body. The tissue penetrating apparatus can be extended from the elongated body distal end along a curved penetration path restricted to a chosen penetration plane. The light projector can generate a shaped illumination on the surface of the organ indicative of an intersection of the penetration plane with the surface of the organ.

An artificial chordae tendineae implantation system includes a clamping device, a puncture device, a pushing device, and a detection device. The pushing device includes a pushing shaft. The clamping device includes a clamping push rod that receives an artificial chorda tendineae, and a distal clamp and a proximal clamp for cooperatively clamping a valve leaflet. The detection device includes one probe that is movably disposed in the pushing shaft. A probe outlet is provided at one of a clamping surface of the proximal clamp and a clamping surface of the distal clamp, and a probe accommodation chamber corresponding to the probe outlet is provided at the other one. When the clamping device is closed, the distal end of the probe protrudes from the probe outlet and is accommodated in the probe accommodation chamber, and whether the valve leaflet is clamped is detected.

Medical devices for applying a cinch to a suture and methods for making and using such devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include an elongated shaft including a proximal region and a distal region. The distal region may define a lumen having a lumen dimeter, and a distally facing end surface. The medical device may also include an outer cinch member defining a bore and having an outer surface defining a shoulder. An elongated inner shaft may extend through and be longitudinally movable within the lumen and the bore and including a distal end section. An inner cinch member may be engaged with the distal end section of the elongated inner shaft.

A suture transport system is disclosure for placing a flexible member along a tunnel, the system including a means of transporting a flexible member along a tunnel from a first opening in the tunnel through to a second opening at an opposite end of the tunnel, such that the flexible member extends from both the first and second opening. The system also includes a means of capturing a portion of the flexible member at the second opening, to inhibit the flexible member from retracting into the tunnel second opening. The means of capturing includes an aperture for capturing the portion of the flexible member.

In one embodiment, a method of repairing a heart valve accesses an interior of a patient's beating heart minimally invasively and inserts one or more sutures into each of a plurality of heart valve leaflets with a suturing instrument. The suture ends of the sutures are divided into suture pairs, with each pair including one suture end from a suture inserted into a first valve leaflet and one suture end from a suture inserted into a second valve leaflet. One or more tourniquet tubes is advanced over the suture pairs to the leaflets to draw the sutures together to coapt the leaflets and then the sutures are secured in that position.

The present invention refers to a reusable meniscus suture device that comprising a handle for handling the device; a single-part needle comprising an elongated solid body which extends from the handle and a free end opposite the handle endowed with a cutting tip; and at least a portion of the elongated body gradually tapers in thickness towards the cutting tip, forming a portion of greater thickness in the region near the handle, and a portion of lesser thickness in the region near the tip, and wherein the portion of lesser thickness is malleable and curvable; and wherein the tip of the distal end has a lumen for the passage of the suture thread.

An embodiment of the invention includes a sewing cuff for aortic heart valves that better approximates native anatomy by better mating with the crown-like anatomical annulus. Limiting distortion of the crown-like annulus provides better blood flow and overall valve function and provides a physician greater ease of implantation since native anatomy is not flattened. Thus, the surgeon may attach sutures to the fibrous tissue of the crown-like anatomical annulus without distorting the shape of the native anatomy. An embodiment includes a scalloped sewing cuff assembly (with semilunar arches) that tracks the crown-like annulus. Another embodiment provides a sewing cuff positioned over the majority of the valve's length, thus allowing the surgeon greater flexibility as to where he or she can attach sutures to the surgical annulus. Conventional valves, which are primarily “low-profile” devices, do not offer such ability. Other embodiments are described herein.

An arthroscopic tool for labrum repair procedure, including: a cannulated working channel having a proximal end and a distal end; and a holding element adapted to be attached to the proximal end of the working channel for supporting a labrum during an arthroscopic labrum repair procedure.