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.

An apparatus for laparoscopic intracorporeal knot tying includes a needle grasper including a needle holder shaft and a needle holder jaw located at a distal end of the needle holder shaft, and a knot loop grasper including a knot loop holder shaft, which is slidable on the needle holder shaft, and a knot loop holder jaw located at a distal end of the knot loop holder shaft. In an inactive state of the apparatus, the knot loop holder is located proximal to the needle holder jaw. In an active state of the apparatus at a time of a knot tying, the knot loop holder jaw slides on the needle holder shaft toward the distal end of the needle holder shaft and beyond the needle holder jaw to carry components of a knot over a standing end of a suture held by the needle holder jaw.

A forward-pushing for releasing suture locking device configured to fix a suture in a locking pin includes a collet and a thrust rod assembly sleeved outside the collet. The thrust rod assembly includes a thrust rod. A recessed portion is arranged at the thrust rod, and a protruding portion corresponding to the recessed portion is arranged at the collet. In a process that the thrust rod continuously moves distally in an axial direction, the thrust rod first pushes against a gradually raised side of the protruded portion, so as to allow the collet to deform to compress the locking pin, and allow the locking pin compressed by the collet to deform and fix the suture; and then the protruding portion is gradually accommodated in the recessed portion, so that at least part of deformations of the collet is restored to release the locking pin.

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.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a system for repairing a meniscus including: a suture assembly including a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible suture connecting the first anchor and the second anchor, the flexible suture including a slide knot between the first anchor and the second anchor; and an inserter including a needle having a longitudinal extending bore and an open distal end, the bore being configured to receive the first anchor and the second anchor, a housing operatively connected to a proximal end of the needle, the housing having a lumen and a slot, the slot including a first portion, a second portion, a first shoulder and a second shoulder and a pusher configured to rotate and slide within the lumen of the housing and the longitudinal extending bore of the needle, the pusher having an extension extending through the slot and configured to be maneuverable through the first portion and second portion and engageable with the first shoulder and second shoulder.

A knot pushing and suture-cutting device is disclosed including a handle having a multi-positional control and an inner shaft and outer tube extending from the handle. The inner shaft and outer tube both comprise slots and the outer tube is both axially and rotationally moveable relative to the inner shaft, to move the inner shaft and outer tube slots relative to each other. In a first configuration, the inner shaft and outer tube slots are aligned and configured to receive a suture therein. In a second configuration, the slots are configured to lock the suture within a lumen of the inner shaft. In a third configuration a cutting edge on the outer slot is configured to cut the suture.

Described herein are devices for approximating targeted tissue by intertwining two or more sutures together. The sutures are attached to the targeted tissue and routed to a twister device. The twister device secures end portions of the sutures and twists them to intertwine the sutures. Controlling the number of twists provides control over the forces applied to the targeted tissue. In conjunction with visualization feedback, real-time adjustments can be made to achieved targeted results, such as elimination of mitral regurgitation when the disclosed methods and apparatus are applied to mitral valve repair.

The present invention reveals a needle set of laparoscopic surgery and knotting device thereof, the needle set comprising a body and an axis sleeve. Near the body side is formed a barrier, and the other side have a concave groove. The axis sleeve is hollow tube and fixedly run through the body. Therefore the needle set can axial insert into to the axis sleeve, and achieve the effect that minimizing the complicate of overall structure, reducing the length of a knotting device, and more convenient to operate.

A heart valve prosthesis is provided that includes a first member and a second member. The first member comprises a first central portion to be disposed adjacent to a line of coaptation on a first side of two adjacent heart leaflets and peripheral portions to be placed into direct contact with the two adjacent heart leaflets. The second member is separate from or can be separable from the first member, for example during delivery. The second member has a central portion and peripheral portions configured to be placed into direct contact with a second side of the two adjacent heart leaflets.

Methods and tools for folding and/or capturing leaflets of a heart valve are disclosed herein. Prior to or during installing of a prosthetic heart valve, part of a leaflet of an existing valvular structure can be positioned distally and/or folded upon itself. The existing valvular structure may be a native heart valve or a previously-implanted prosthetic heart valve. When the existing valvular structure is at the aortic position, the prosthetic heart valve can be subsequently installed within the existing valvular structure such that the leaflet is maintained in a location that avoids obstructing blood flow to one or more of the coronary arteries.