An aspect of the present disclosure provides a suturing instrument comprising: a plurality of hollow tubes; at least two stitching arms coupled to first end of the plurality of hollow tubes, the at least two stitching arms capable of moving between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the at least two stitching arms are away from each other, and in the closed position the at least two arms are closer to each other; a needle coupled to at least one of the at least two stitching arms, wherein a suture is looped through the needle to enable suturing when the both arms are moved to the closed position; and a handle comprising at least two members coupled to a second end of the plurality of hollow tubes such that first member of the at least two members is fixed and a second member is movably coupled to the first member, wherein when the at least two members are closer the at least two stitching arms are in closed position, and when the at least two handles are moved away the at least two arms move from the closed position to the open position.

Disclosed is a suturing needle having a thread attachment portion and a ramp portion comprising a tapered portion extending from a proximal end of the needle to cover at least a portion of a suture thread swaged in the thread attachment portion. The tapered portion of the ramp portion provides a smooth transition from a diameter of the suture thread to a diameter of the needle body. The tapered transition portion allows for engaging the suture needle on rollers of a rotational needle driver in one smooth motion.

A suture passer comprising: a shaft having an axis; a first jaw mounted to the shaft in alignment with the axis, the first jaw being configured to releasably support a length of suture thereon; a second jaw movably mounted to the shaft; and a needle movably mounted to the shaft, the needle having a hook and being configured to reciprocate in alignment with the axis so that the hook can selectively pass by the second jaw and engage suture releasably supported on the first jaw; wherein the first jaw comprises a spring for selectively binding the suture to the first jaw, and further wherein the spring comprises a recess for receiving the suture therein.

A drive mechanism for operating a suturing mechanism includes a user input displaceable through a range of motion and a linkage mechanically associated with the user input and with a shuttle transmitter of the suturing mechanism. The linkage converts displacements of the user input unidirectionally or bidirectionally into a sequence of operations of the shuttle transmitter including sufficient to perform a sequence of operations of the suturing mechanism to perform successive bidirectional stitching, with the shuttle transmitter penetrating tissue alternately with and without a shuttle needle attached.

An apparatus for treating obesity comprises a volume filling device formed by at least two segments and is provided and following implantation, the device is placed resting against the stomach wall of the patient to reduce the inner volume of the stomach, thereby affecting the patients appetite.

Embodiments of the invention include a tissue repair system and related components and associated methods that provide for suturing of tissue using three or more suture anchoring implants, including multiple pairs of connected implants in some embodiments, all of which may be deployed from a single device. Some embodiments achieve this by employing a push mechanism capable of being activated to advance the push mechanism incrementally to discrete positions within the device and deploy implants one at a time from the device.

A suture passer includes a shaft having an axis, a first jaw mounted to the shaft in alignment with the axis, the first jaw being configured to releasably support a length of suture thereon; a second jaw movably mounted to the shaft, and a needle movably mounted to the shaft, the needle having a hook and being configured to reciprocate in alignment with the axis so that the hook can selectively pass by the second jaw and engage suture releasably supported on the first jaw, wherein the first jaw comprises a spring for selectively binding the suture to the first jaw, and further wherein the spring comprises a recess for receiving the suture therein.

A surgical instrument comprising a jaw assembly is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises a motor-driven drive system configured to open the jaw assembly. The surgical instrument also comprises a control system configured to control the drive system and, also, control a power supply system configured to supply electrical power to electrodes defined in the outer surface, or outer surfaces, of the jaw assembly. In use, the surgical instrument can be used to apply mechanical energy and electrical energy to the tissue of a patient at the same time, or at different times. In certain embodiments, the user controls when the mechanical and electrical energies are applied. In some embodiments, the control system controls when the mechanical and electrical energies are applied.

An automatic needle mover for moving a medical threaded needle includes: two shafts extending in the same direction and slidable relative to each other along a longitudinal direction; a needle-holding portion provided on one end side of the second shaft; a needle-receiving portion provided on one end side of the first shaft; and a handle serving as a control portion for controlling the sliding of the two shafts. The needle-holding portion has a first claw portion protruding in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the shafts. The needle-receiving portion has a second claw portion protruding in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the shafts. As a result of the sliding of the two shafts, the needle-holding portion and the needle-receiving portion become close to each other and a straight needle held by the needle-holding portion can be press-fitted into the needle-receiving portion.

Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle.