A system includes a transcatheterally-advanceable driver and an implant. The implant includes a winch, and a tether that has an end portion. The winch includes a spool, a mount, and a driver interface engageable and drivable by the driver. The mount is coupled to the driver interface such that driving of the driver interface by the driver rotates the mount about a rotation axis. The spool is coupled to the tether, and defines a spool axis that is non-coaxial with the rotation axis. The tether extends away from the winch toward the end portion. The spool is fixedly coupled to the mount such that rotation of the mount about the rotation axis draws the end portion of the tether toward the spool by winding the tether around the spool axis of the spool. Other embodiments are also described.

A method of suturing an abdominal cavity includes inserting a spool of suture in the abdominal cavity. The method also includes capturing a first portion of the suture and removing the first portion from the abdominal cavity. The method also includes capturing a second portion of the suture and removing the second portion from the abdominal cavity. The method also includes tying the first portion to the second portion outside of the abdominal cavity.

Disclosed is a laparoscopic port site closure device. The device is configured such that a cartridge receiving a surgical suture therein is provided at a fore-end of a needle guide for port site closure; the surgical suture is caught in a needle tip that is pierced through a body tissue by being guided by the needle guide; and when the needle is withdrawn, the surgical suture is pulled out along a path through which the needle was pierced into the tissue, and the surgical suture is tied outside a patient's body, thereby being capable of closing a laparoscopic port site.

Devices, systems and/or methods for fixating soft tissue to bone are provided. In one embodiment, a repair device for fixating soft tissue to bone with a bone anchor includes a soft tissue anchor and one or more flexible members. The soft tissue anchor includes a base with multiple legs extending from the base. The one or more flexible members are coupled to the base and configured to extend from the base to the bone anchor with a fixed length. With this arrangement, the fixed length of the one or more flexible members is configured to maintain a substantially fixed pre-determined distance between the soft tissue anchor and the bone anchor such that, as the bone anchor is seated into bone, the one or more flexible members pulls the soft tissue anchor down against the soft tissue to fixate the soft tissue to the bone.

A surgical method includes arranging a plurality of suture needle containers in a surgical environment, whereby at least one of the suture needle containers includes a receptacle having a proximal end with an opening and a distal end that is closed by an end wall, a suture needle disposed within the receptacle, and a cover sealing the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle for maintaining a sterile environment for the suture needle inside the receptacle. The method includes causing a controller of a surgical robotic system to transmit input instructions to an electromechanical tool for breaching the cover for providing access to the suture needle disposed within the receptacle. After breaching the cover, a distal end of a surgical tool secures the suture needle for removing the secured suture needle from the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle.

A method for suspension of the CMC joint that minimizes patient irritation/discomfort and damage to the surrounding tissue. Specifically, the method is a method for suspending a first metacarpal in relative position to a second metacarpal. The method includes the steps of: (i) drilling a hole through the first metacarpal; (ii) inserting a drill guide through the hole in the first metacarpal; (iii) advancing the drill guide to a surface of the second metacarpal, and drilling a hole in the second metacarpal; (iv) inserting an anchor into the hole formed in the second metacarpal, wherein the anchor is attached to suture; (v) deploying the anchor within the second metacarpal; (vi) tensioning the suture attached to the anchor; and (vii) fixing the position of the first metacarpal relative to the second metacarpal using the suture.

A suture needle container includes a receptacle having a proximal end with an opening and a closed distal end. A hollow mandrel is disposed inside the receptacle. The mandrel projects from the closed distal end toward the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle. The mandrel includes a tubular wall having a proximal end aligned with the proximal end of the receptacle and a distal end connected with the closed distal end of the receptacle. An elongated slot is formed in the tubular wall. A suture needle is disposed within the elongated slot. A suture is secured to the proximal end of the suture needle and wrapped around the hollow mandrel. A cover closes the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle for sealing the suture needle and the suture inside the receptacle for maintaining a sterile environment inside the receptacle.

Devices, systems and/or methods for fixating soft tissue to bone are provided. In one embodiment, a repair device for fixating soft tissue to bone with a bone anchor includes a soft tissue anchor and one or more flexible members. The soft tissue anchor includes a base with multiple legs extending from the base. The one or more flexible members are coupled to the base and configured to extend from the base to the bone anchor with a fixed length. With this arrangement, the fixed length of the one or more flexible members is configured to maintain a substantially fixed pre-determined distance between the soft tissue anchor and the bone anchor such that, as the bone anchor is seated into bone, the one or more flexible members pulls the soft tissue anchor down against the soft tissue to fixate the soft tissue to the bone.

A suture needle container includes a receptacle having a proximal end with an opening and a closed distal end. A hollow mandrel is disposed inside the receptacle. The mandrel projects from the closed distal end toward the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle. The mandrel includes a tubular wall having a proximal end aligned with the proximal end of the receptacle and a distal end connected with the closed distal end of the receptacle. An elongated slot is formed in the tubular wall. A suture needle is disposed within the elongated slot. A suture is secured to the proximal end of the suture needle and wrapped around the hollow mandrel. A cover closes the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle for sealing the suture needle and the suture inside the receptacle for maintaining a sterile environment inside the receptacle.

A method of suturing an abdominal cavity includes inserting a spool of suture in the abdominal cavity. The method also includes capturing a first portion of the suture and removing the first portion from the abdominal cavity. The method also includes capturing a second portion of the suture and removing the second portion from the abdominal cavity. The method also includes tying the first portion to the second portion outside of the abdominal cavity.