Abstract: Disclosed are composite implantable tissue attachment devices comprising a mechanical reinforcing component and a cellular scaffold component. Disclosed devices include a wide, relatively flat portion for supporting long term repair of tissue. Disclosed devices can include a tapered portion at the end of the wide portions that can lead into a narrower elongated extension for aiding in placement of the device during a surgical procedure. The wide portion of the device can provide tensile strength along the longitudinal axis of the device as well as porosity. The wide devices can cover a larger surface area of a delivery site than standard suture. Disclosed materials can be utilized in, e.g., soft tissue repair such as tendon and ligament reconstruction and repair.

Abstract: The invention includes an assembly for anastomosis having a clamp being arranged to support a fastener. The clamp can be actuated to join a vessel with the fastener to establish a fluid communication. In some embodiments, the invention includes an assembly having a clamp and a fastener with first and second joinable parts, and the assembly can be adapted to facilitate the alignment of the first and second joinable parts.

Abstract: A staple line buttress material having an adhesive surface, packaged and provided in sterile, ready-to-use form. The material can be used to retrofit surgical staplers to provide an improved staple line, and with improved ease of use.

Abstract: Surgical instruments, guides, and methods for closure of fascia and other tissue sites are disclosed. A suture passer guide comprises an elongate body with first and second passages for guiding a suture passer. The long axes of the elongate body, the first passage, and the second passage, preferably lie in three separate parallel planes. A suture passer comprises a housing having a needle tip portion and a first suture grasping surface. An elongate body is located at least partially within the housing and is configured to slide within the housing. The elongate body has a second suture grasping surface at the distal end. The first and second suture grasping surfaces preferably are spaced from the needle tip portion.

Abstract: A staple line buttress material having an adhesive surface, packaged and provided in sterile, ready-to-use form. The material can be used to retrofit surgical staplers to provide an improved staple line, and with improved ease of use.

Abstract: A combination medical device comprising a circular stapler instrument (4) and one or more portions of preformed buttress material (16) adapted to be stably positioned upon the staple cartridge (12) and/or anvil (14) components of the stapler (4) prior or at the time of use. Positioned buttress material(s) (16) are delivered to a tissue site where the circular stapler (4) is actuated to connect previously severed tissue portions. An embodiment of the invention allows tissue portions to be joined without the use of sutures. The buttress material (16) is made up of two regions, one of which serves primarily to secure the buttress material (16) to the stapler (4) prior to actuation, and one of which serves primarily to form the improved seal. The former region is severed and discarded upon activation of the circular stapler (4) to form anastomoses, while the remaining material secures and seals the newly connected tissue. Methods of use and preparation of the buttress material (16) are also described.

Abstract: A vascular coupler adapted to be fixed into position upon a blood vessel and there retain and position a matable sensing device. In a preferred embodiment, the vascular coupler is an anastomotic coupler and the sensing device comprises an ultrasonic Doppler probe.

Abstract: A vascular clamp and a method for temporarily occluding a vessel. The vascular clamp comprises two jaws, two handles, and a pivoting point. A biasing mechanism is positioned between the handles for biasing the handles apart so that a closing force is imparted along the length of the jaws. The pivoting points pivotally connect the jaws together and are also configured to allow one jaw to be lifted relative to the other jaw. The method of temporarily occluding a blood vessel comprises the steps of providing a vascular clamp as described above and positioning the clamp about a blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and composition for preventing surgical adhesions during surgery. Tissue surfaces and/or surgical articles involved in the surgery are separated by a biomaterial provided in the form of a non-crosslinked, decellularized and purified mammalian tissue (e.g. bovine pericardium). The biomaterial effectively inhibits fibrosis, scar formation, and surgical adhesions, while also serving as a scaffold for recellularization of the tissue site.

Abstract: A combination medical device comprising a circular stapler instrument and one or more portions of preformed buttress material adapted to be stably positioned upon the staple cartridge and/or anvil components of the stapler prior or at the time of use. Positioned buttress material(s) are delivered to a tissue site where the circular stapler is actuated to connect previously severed tissue portions. The buttress material is retained and provides an improved seal between the joined tissue sections. The buttress material is made up of two regions, one of which serves primarily to secure the buttress material to the stapler prior to actuation, and one of which serves primarily to form the improved seal. The former region is severed and discarded upon activation of the circular stapler to form an anastomoses. Methods of use and preparation of the buttress material are also described.

Abstract: An adjustable stylet includes a core wire having a portion surrounded by a compression member preferably comprised of a flat wire spring. Depending upon the configuration, compression or relaxation of the compression member in response to forces at the tip or handle of the stylet results in adjustments to the characteristics of the stylet. In a first embodiment, the stiffness of the stylet is adjustable. In a second embodiment, the length of the stylet is adjustable. In a third embodiment, both the stiffness and the length of the stylet are adjustable.

Abstract: A vascular clamp and a method for temporarily occluding a vessel. The vascular clamp comprises two jaws, two handles, and a pivoting point. A biasing mechanism is positioned between the handles for biasing the handles apart so that a closing force is imparted along the length of the jaws. The pivoting points pivotally connect the jaws together and are also configured to allow one jaw to be lifted relative to the other jaw. The method of temporarily occluding a blood vessel comprises the steps of providing a vascular clamp as described above and positioning the clamp about a blood vessel.

Abstract: A steerable stylet for use within a lumen of an intravascular device includes a stylet assembly and a handle. The stylet assembly has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and includes a stylet wire having a lumen and a core wire positioned within the lumen with the distal end portion secured to the stylet wire proximate the distal end portion of the stylet wire. The handle includes a hand-held housing structure connected to one of the proximal end portion of the stylet wire or the core wire. In one embodiment, an adjustable tensioner is connected to the other of the proximal end portion of the stylet wire or the core wire to adjust a relative tension force applied between the stylet wire and the core wire. A tension limiter is arranged to limit the tension force to a limit force that is less than a breaking stress force of the stylet wire when the stylet wire is positioned within the lumen of the intravascular device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and composition for preventing surgical adhesions during surgery. Tissue surfaces and/or surgical articles involved in the surgery are separated by a biomaterial provided in the form of a non-crosslinked, decellularized and purified mammalian tissue (e.g. bovine pericardium). The biomaterial effectively inhibits fibrosis, scar formation, and surgical adhesions, while also serving as a scaffold for recellularization of the tissue site.

Abstract: An adjustable stylet includes a core wire having a portion surrounded by a compression member preferably comprised of a flat wire spring. Depending upon the configuration, compression or relaxation of the compression member in response to forces at the tip or handle of the stylet results in adjustments to the characteristics of the stylet. In a first embodiment, the stiffness of the stylet is adjustable. In a second embodiment, the length of the stylet is adjustable. In a third embodiment, both the stiffness and the length of the stylet are adjustable.

Abstract: A non-crosslinked, decellularized and purified mammalian tissue (e.g., bovine pericardium) having particular use as an implantable resorbable material. The material is treated by alkylating its primary amine groups in a manner sufficient to reduce the antigenicity of the tissue, permitting the treated tissue to be used in vivo and without crosslinking, and in turn, permitting it to be resorbable. The material can be used in surgical repair of soft tissue deficiencies for a certain period of time while the implant itself is gradually remodeled or absorbed by the host. Also provided are a method of preparing such a material, as well as a method of using such a material for surgical repair.