A device, method, and system are provided for measuring the fit and mechanical properties of an intended ligament or tendon graft during a surgical procedure. The device includes a sensor body, a set of temporary fixation securements that terminate a set of opposing sides of the sensor body, and electronic circuitry in communication with the sensor body, where the electronic circuitry generates electric signals in proportion to the mechanical properties experienced by the sensor body. The set of temporary fixation securements are adapted to attach to at least one of: (i) one or more patient bones, or (ii) permanent fixation hardware assembled to one or more patient bones.

The present disclosure provides a method for contracting heart tissue using a transcatheter annuloplasty system. The system includes a plurality of anchoring components, a flexible tightening string and a flexible delivery member. The tightening string is coupled with a first anchoring component and the delivery member. The method includes: implanting the first anchoring component into the heart tissue, the tightening string entering a body along with the first anchoring component, and a proximal end of the delivery member extending outside the body; delivering each of remaining anchoring components, along the delivery member, to the tightening string and implanting it into the heart tissue; and tightening the tightening string. Therefore, after the plurality of anchoring components are implanted at different positions, along a circumferential direction of the mitral annulus, the tightening string is tightened to adjust a spacing of the anchoring components so as to contract the heart tissue.

An acoustic earmuff device comprising a pair of earmuff cup assemblies such that each is configured to be arranged at a location proximate to an ear of an user, wherein each earmuff cup assembly comprises means (320) for adapting a pressure applied to the location proximate to the ear so that the pressure around the ear is evenly distributed and a even seal is achieved, wherein the means for adapting a pressure comprises an adaptive layer (324) that is configured to apply the pressure around the ear evenly regardless whether that location comprises any protruding element (2).

A toggle-type suture anchor that incorporates individual suture tensioning and locking without knot tying. The anchor includes several exemplary designs of toggle bodies having a working suture pre-threaded through one or more passages therethrough. A locking suture loop is pre-threaded relative to the working suture and includes a collapsible loop that encircles a portion of the length of suture running longitudinally adjacent the side of the anchor. With the loop open, the working suture can slide through the anchor, however, when the loop is closed the working suture is locked in position to retain tension on the working suture. Alternatively, the locking suture loop can be replaced with a mechanical locking member that moves from a first unlocked to a second locked position. The exemplary anchors can be utilized in a pre-strung connected array of anchors.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a cardiac device comprising a band configured for deployment within a heart. The band may include a first end and a second end, an actuatable clasp associated with the first end of the band and configured to transition, upon actuation, from an open configuration to a closed configuration for forming the band into a fixed length loop after the second end is moved beyond the clasp. The clasp may be configured for actuation via a catheter. The cardiac device may include a clasp retainer associated with the clasp, the clasp retainer being configured to hold the clasp in the open configuration and the clasp being configured to be actuated upon movement of the clasp retainer, and a clasp actuator configured to move the clasp retainer thereby actuating the clasp.

A method of repairing a defective heart valve involves positioning first and second support rings of an annuloplasty device in a first configuration on opposite sides of native heart valve leaflets and activating a contracted state of the annuloplasty device so that a first pitch distance between the first and second support rings in the first configuration is reduced to a second pitch distance that is shorter than the first pitch distance to move the first and second support rings toward each other to pinch the native heart valve leaflets.

A valve prosthesis and methods for implanting the prosthesis are provided. The prosthesis generally includes a self-expanding frame and two or more engagement arms. A valve prosthesis is sutured to the self-expanding frame. Each engagement arm corresponds to a native mitral valve leaflet. At least one engagement arm immobilizes the native leaflets, and holds the native leaflets close to the main frame. The prosthetic mitral valve frame also includes two or more anchor attachment points. Each anchor attachment point is attached to one or more anchors that help attach the valve prosthesis to the heart.

Fixation device for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve includes an elongate central member defining a longitudinal axis of the fixation device and first and second arms rotatable about at least one arm hinge point between an open position and a closed position. The fixation device further includes a first gripping element rotatable about a first gripping element axis of rotation to capture a first leaflet of a heart valve between the first gripping element and the first arm. The fixation device further includes a second gripping element rotatable about a second gripping element axis of rotation to capture a second leaflet of a heart valve between the second gripping element and the second arm. At least one of the first gripping element axis of rotation and the second gripping element axis of rotation is variably offset from the arm hinge point by an axis offset distance defined along the longitudinal axis.

Surgical constructs and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair constructs include a fixation device, a flexible strand, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device to allow desired tensioning of soft tissue to be fixated or repaired relative to the bone.

This disclosure relates to methods of surgical tissue reconstruction, such as for joint or ligament repair, and associated surgical constructs.