Abstract: A two-part ligation clip applicator comprises a handle assembly having a squeezable trigger and an elongated shaft connected at its proximal end to the handle assembly. The elongated shaft houses a sliding advancer which is actuated by squeezing the trigger to move axially in a forward direction in the shaft. In addition, a module is mountable at a distal end of the elongated shaft and supports a ligation clip. The module has a cartridge housing, latches pivotably mounted within the housing for gripping first part of the ligation clip, and a sliding pusher slidable within the housing by actuation of the advancer to engage the second part of the ligation clip and advance it relative to the first part to close the first part.

Abstract: A malleable, bioabsorbable polymeric staple includes a back span with two legs depending perpendicularly therefrom that are deformed toward each other initially and then upwardly toward the back span such that end points on each leg extends to the side and past the back span. The staple has a noncircular cross-sectional shape. A surgical staple-deforming anvil for deforming the staples has a staple-receiving face formed with a pair of elongated, non-collinear pocket-like depressions each having an entry end lying on a longitudinal axis parallel to the back span of the staple, and an exit end. The respective exit ends of the pocket depressions are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the legs of a staple driven toward the anvil and received in the pocket depressions are initially bent toward each other and then steered upwardly toward opposite sides of the back span.

Abstract: A direct dispensing, surgical suture package is disclosed. The package comprises a first rectangular panel 1 and a second rectangular panel 2. The second panel is foldably connected to a short side of the first rectangular panel. The package also comprises a first rectangular flap 3 which is foldably connected to a long side of the first rectangular panel. Further, the package comprises a second rectangular flap 4. The second flap is foldably connected to a long side of the second rectangular panel. The package further comprises means for accessing a surgical needle between the second rectangular panel and flap. The package is useful for dispensing a suture from it without having to open, tear or mutilate any of the panels or flaps.

Abstract: A surgical suturing needle is formed to have a needle shaft with a rectangular cross-section and a needle head with a triangular needle point. A transitional portion between the needle shaft and the needle head is formed to have a maximum width greater than the width of the needle shaft. A plurality of cutting edges extend from the needle point to at least the maximum width section of the transitional portion. After forming and grinding the suturing needle, it is immersed in an acid bath and exposed to an electrical field. Finally, the surgical needle is heat-treated to increase its strength and resistance to bending or breaking.

Abstract: The invention is a composite material of two or more biocompatible polymers, at least one of which is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and one of which is a bioabsorbable polymer. The nonabsorbable PTFE is used in the composite as a reinforcing binder. The reinforcing binder is a network of unsintered, interconnected micro-fibers which are formed, for example, by blending with a thermoplastic polymer vehicle, such as polymethylmethacrylate which is subsequently extracted. The bioabsorbable component is contained within the structure of the PTFE microfibrils. This composite is useful in the repair of mammalian tissue where tissue ingrowth and permanent support is required.

Abstract: A one piece surgical repair device consists essentially of a polymeric wire. The polymeric wire is comprised of an oriented, semicrystalline polymer. The surgical repair device can be a staple and is capable of permanent flexural deformation at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A transanal insertion device for surgically inserting an anastomosis ring having two unitary members into a tubular anatomic member comprises a distal adapter, a proximal adapter and an actuator. The distal adapter includes a hollow distal sleeve and a spring-loaded distal spool axially movable within the distal sleeve. The distal spool is biased in a first direction by a distal spring and includes alignment fingers pivotably connected thereon for aligning a first unitary member. The proximal adapter has a hollow proximal sleeve and a spring-loaded proximal spool axially movable within the proximal sleeve. The proximal spool is biased in a second direction by a proximal spring and includes alignment fingers connected thereon for aligning a second unitary member. The proximal member also includes a proximal gripper for securing the second unitary member on the proximal hollow sleeve.

Abstract: A malleable, bioabsorbable polymeric staple includes a back span with two legs depending perpendicularly therefrom that are deformed along an arcuate path toward each other initially and then upwardly toward the back span such that end points on each leg extend through a gap formed between an underside of the back span and a bend in an opposite leg. A surgical staple-deforming anvil for deforming the staples has a staple-receiving face formed with a pair of guiding path depressions each having an entry end lying on a longitudinal axis parallel to the back span of the staple, and an exit end. The guiding paths are arcuately shaped and form a groove curving and crossing each other approximately at the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the legs of a staple driven toward the anvil and received in the guiding paths are initially bent toward each other and then steered upwardly and along the horizontally curved path toward the gap formed between the back span and the bend in the opposite leg.

Abstract: A copolymer comprising a bioabsorbable, segmented molecular architecture has been invented. The copolymer has at least two different ester linkages. The segmented molecular architecture comprises a plurality of fast transesterifying linkages. The fast transesterifying linkages have a segment length distribution of greater than 1.3. The segmented molecular architecture also comprises a plurality of slow transesterifying linkages. The following proviso is a material limitation to this invention: for the fast transesterifying linkages consisting essentially of glycolate linkages and the slow transesterifying linkages selected from the group consisting of trimethylene carbonate and caproate linkages, the segment length distribution of the fast transesterifying linkages is up to 2.0 and the number average segment length of the slow transesterifying linkages is greater than 2.5 linkages per segment.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes a staple cartridge that may be loaded with surgical staples, an anvil mounted to confront the staple cartridge for deforming staples driven theretoward, and advancer for advancing the staple cartridge from an open position toward the anvil to a closed position for clamping tissue to be sutured therebetween, and a driver for driving the staples from the cartridge toward the anvil through tissue clamped between the cartridge and the anvil. A trigger for operating the driver, and a safety mechanism linked to the advancer preventing the trigger from operating the driver when the cartridge is in the open position but permits the trigger to operate the driver only when the cartridge is in the closed position. In addition, a coupling mechanism can removably mount a head assembly and a handle assembly, with each assembly containing a portion of the advancer and driver.

Abstract: A surgical fastener is comprised of a center span with two locking arms extending therefrom, each locking arm containing an indentation adapted to receive a locking point and an indentation adapted to receive a locking nub. An inner bendable member extends from the center span terminating in a staple point member, the staple point member terminating in a tissue piercing point. An outer bendable member extends from the staple point member parallel to the inner bendable member, terminating in a locking point and locking nub. In the closed position the locking point of the outer bendable member locks into the indentation in the locking arm, to lock the staple in the closed position. In the open position the locking nub of the outer bendable member locks into the locking nub indentation in the locking arm to hold the staple in the open position.

Abstract: A single-strike die mechanism includes a rotatable cam drive ring driven to impart through a cam mechanism linear motion to at least three crimping dies. The crimping dies are symmetrically arranged within a die guide and simultaneously actuated to move in a radial direction toward a centerline of a surgical needle. A surgical suture is axially inserted within a hollow barrel end of the needle, and the barrel end is crimped by the crimping dies to secure the suture therein. A method for operating the single-strike die mechanizes the procedure for securing the suture within the barrel end of the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting at least one end of a surgical suture is described. The apparatus comprises a first pair of feed rollers which advance the surgical suture through a hole (or opening) in a cutting assembly. The first pair of feed rollers is driven by a stepper motor. A second pair of friction rollers take up the slack (i.e., provide tension) to the surgical suture beyond the cutting assembly. The second pair of friction rollers is driven by an electric or stepper motor. The cutting assembly comprises an anvil plate in which the hole is positioned, and a razor blade which is placed in a movable bracket against the anvil plate. The cutting edge of the razor blade is driven by a spring across the hole and cuts the surgical suture. The spring is activated (and can be reactivated for repetitive steps) by an electric motor.

Abstract: An improved surgical needle is disclosed. The needle has a butt. The butt has a proximal and a distal end. A blind hole is in the butt. The hole originates at the proximal and terminates at the distal end of the butt. A crimp is adjacent to the butt. The improvement to the crimp comprises a first and a second side that are essentially parallel. A third side is essentially perpendicular to the first and second sides. A fourth side is curvilinear. The curvilinear fourth side can be a semicircle. A machine and a method of attaching a surgical suture to the improved needle is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved surgical needle is disclosed. The needle has a butt. The butt has a proximal and a distal end. A blind hole is in the butt. The hole originates at the proximal and terminates at the distal end of the butt. A crimp is adjacent to the butt. The improvement to the crimp comprises a first and a second side that are essentially parallel. A third side is essentially perpendicular to the first and second sides. A fourth side is curvilinear. The curvilinear fourth side can be a semicircle. A machine and a method of attaching a surgical suture to the improved needle is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved surgical needle is disclosed. The needle has a butt. The butt has a proximal and a distal end. A blind hole is in the butt. The hole originates at the proximal and terminates at the distal end of the butt. A crimp is adjacent to the butt. The improvement to the crimp comprises a first and a second side that are essentially parallel. A third side is essentially perpendicular to the first and second sides. A fourth side is curvilinear. The curvilinear fourth side can be a semicircle. A machine and a method of attaching a surgical suture to the improved needle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for separating serosa from mucosa is disclosed. The machine comprises two peeling rollers, or one peeling roller or belt and a stationary member. The stationary member can comprise a blade. The separation between the two peeling rollers, or the one peeling roller or belt and stationary member is about equal to or less than the thickness of a harvested intestine ribbon. The separation has a proximal and a distal end. The machine also comprises first means for rotating the one or more peeling rollers or the peeling belt at a first speed. A pull roller is adjacent to the distal end of the separation. The machine further comprises second means for rotating the pull roller at a second speed. The second speed is less than the first speed of the first means for rotating. The source of the nonseparated serosa-mucosa layer can be a harvested intestine ribbon of a mammal. Separated serosa is useful in the manufacture of catgut sutures.

Abstract: The invention is a composite material of two or more biocompatible polymers, at least one of which is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and one of which is a bioabsorbable polymer. The nonabsorbable PTFE is used in the composite as a reinforcing binder. The reinforcing binder is a network of unsintered, interconnected micro-fibers which are formed, for example, by blending with a thermoplastic polymer vehicle, such as polymethylmethacrylate which is subsequently extracted. The bioabsorbable component is contained within the structure of the PTFE microfibrils. This composite is useful in the repair of mammalian tissue where tissue ingrowth and permenant support is required.

Abstract: A composite structure is disclosed having two or more biocompatible polymers. At least one of the polymers is nonabsorbable. The nonabsorbable polymer is extruded into a fiber. The fiber can be fabricated into a textile structure, for example a woven mesh. The nonabsorbable mesh is then encapsulated with at least one bioabsorbable polymer. The composite structure is useful for repairing anatomical defects, for example in a mammalian abdominal wall.