Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Devices and methods for suturing a cardiac implant

Abstract:

Described herein are reusable surgical needles having a resiliently collapsible rear loop that captures a suture as it is passed through an object and resiliently expands upon exiting the object to release the suture. Also described are suture spool assemblies that include a rigid housing and a rotatable spool of suture material suspended within the housing so that a plurality of sutures can be dispensed from the assembly in succession during a surgery. Also described are annular pledgets having diametrical dimensions similar to an outer ring of a cardiac implant such that a single annular pledget can be used with a plurality of sutures that secure the cardiac implant to native tissue around the perimeter of the cardiac implant. Related methods of suturing cardiac implants are also disclosed.