A bone anchor for coupling tissue to bone comprising an anchor body having a hollow interior, an open proximal end in fluid communication with the hollow interior, and a distal end; and a suture anchor extending from the anchor body and distal to the open proximal end.

This disclosure relates to the field of luminal surgery. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to medical devices that expand within a body lumen for accessing a target tissue. In an aspect, an expandable device for a body lumen may include a filament comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a length. The device may include a plurality of segments. Each segment may comprise a middle portion comprising a longitudinal axis extending axially therethrough, a projection portion extending from an end of the middle portion along the longitudinal axis, and a receptive portion extending from an opposing end of the middle portion away from the longitudinal axis, the receptive portion configured to receive the projection portion of an adjacent one of the plurality of segments. An aperture may be disposed through the projection portion, the middle portion, and the receptive portion.

A method is provided that includes implanting a first tissue-engaging element in a first portion of tissue in a vicinity of a heart valve. A second tissue-engaging element, which is connected to a third tissue-engaging element by a longitudinal sub-member, is implanted in a second portion of tissue of an annulus, and the third tissue-engaging element is implanted in a third portion of tissue of the annulus. A fourth tissue-engaging element is implanted in a portion of a blood vessel that is in contact with an atrium. While the longitudinal sub-member engages the longitudinal member at a junction therebetween, at least a first leaflet of the heart valve is drawn toward at least a second leaflet of the heart valve by adjusting a distance between the portion of the blood vessel and the first portion of tissue in the vicinity of the heart valve. Other embodiments are also described.

A sutureless implant for replacing damaged natural chordae tendineae of a human or possibly animal heart, the implant including a distal implant part, a proximal implant part, and an artificial chord. The distal implant part is configured to fit in a lumen of an implant delivery device and includes a self-spreading portion spreading radially outside when the distal implant part is released from the lumen, the self-spreading portion being capable of anchoring the distal implant part in human muscle tissue. The proximal implant part is configured to fit in the lumen of the implant delivery device and comprises a self-spreading portion spreading radially outside when the proximal implant part is released from the lumen, the self-spreading portion being capable of bearing on a tissue portion of leaflet tissue. The distal implant part and the proximal implant part are connected by the chord.

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 fixed 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 method of reducing tricuspid valve regurgitation is provided, including implanting first, second, and third tissue anchors at respective different first, second, and third implantation sites in cardiac tissue in the vicinity of the tricuspid valve of the patient. The geometry of the tricuspid valve is altered by drawing the leaflets of the tricuspid valve toward one another by applying tension between the first, the second, and the third tissue anchors by rotating a spool that (a) winds therewithin respective portions of first, second, and third longitudinal members coupled to the first, the second, and the third tissue anchors, respectively, and (b) is suspended along the first, the second, and the third longitudinal members hovering over the tricuspid valve away from the annulus of the tricuspid valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Devices, systems and/or methods for repairing soft tissue adjacent a soft tissue repair site. In one embodiment, the repair device includes an anchor member having a base with at least four legs extending from the base. The base extends with a generally flat circular profile defining an upper surface and an underside surface with a central opening extending therethrough. Further, the at least four legs extend from the base with an elongated angled portion, the elongated angled portion being oriented at an angle less than seventy-five degrees relative to the underside surface of the base. With this arrangement, the anchor member may be fixated to soft tissue by rotating the base with a delivery tool so that the elongated angled portion of the at least four legs facilitates the anchor member sinking into the soft tissue and fixating thereto.

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 fixed 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 method of attaching a surgical suture inside of a pelvis includes moving an anchor deployment component relative to the anchor delivery component, pushing an anchor out of the anchor delivery component and into tissue inside of the pelvis, and engaging anchor with the tissue inside of the pelvis.

A medical device for joining materials is provided. The device comprises a piercing element configured to penetrate materials to be joined. The piercing element is sufficiently sharp to penetrate materials to be joined and comprises a hollow interior along at least a portion of its length configured to distal advancement of a fastener therethrough; and an open tip through which the fastener can be pushed. The device can be used for fastening materials including tissue, synthetic mesh, and biologic mesh (e.g., ADM).