Abstract: A tube knot applicator for use in endosurgical procedures. The tube knot applicator has an elongated tube member having a distal end and a proximal end, as well as an axial passage therethrough. The tube member has slits for partially collapsing the distal end of the tube as well as a removable plug mounted in the distal end of the tube to prevent the distal end of the tube from collapsing by supporting the distal slitted end. A suture having at least one slip knot and at least one locking knot is mounted in the tube knot applicator with the knot tied about the collapsing distal end of the tube. A sleeve is mounted to the distal end of the tube knot applicator over the suture knot and the distal end.

Abstract: Bone anchor implantation devices for use in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence are disclosed. Methods for positioning a bone anchor implantation device over a bone and for installing a bone anchor in a bone are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for locating and sealing a small incision or puncture in a blood vessel includes a housing with a plurality of openings formed therethrough. A plunger is slidably mounted in the housing and has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. The apertures in the plunger are aligned with the openings in the housing. A tube extends through each of the aligned apertures and openings and accommodates a piercing stylet that extends through the tubes. A suture guide extends from one end of the housing for releasably retaining a suture therein.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a magazine that is loaded with a needle and an attached length of suture pre-tied in a knot on the magazine. The magazine is used in loading the needle onto a surgical instrument and in loading the tied length of suture onto the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Methods for completely or partially blocking, augmenting, sealing, or filling various biological lumens and voids within the body of a patient are disclosed. Lumens include arteries, veins, intestines, Fallopian tubes, and trachea. Voids include various lesions, fissures, diverticulae, cysts, fistulae, aneurysms, or other undesirable voids that may exist within a patient's body. In the most general method of the invention, an effective amount of a biomaterial is administered (e.g., via injection, catheter, or surgical implantation) into the lumen or void. Preferred biomaterial compositions for use in the present invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical needle has a top edge formed by two pressed faces located inside or outside of curvature from pressing a material blank made of austenitic stainless steel having fibrous texture and cutting edges formed on both sides of a base. The top edge is sharp at a needle point and the sharp needle point is constituted of fibrous texture formed at the surface layer of the material blank. Grinding marks extending crosswise formed on the face of the mold are transferred to the pressed faces. A mold constitutes plural faces forming projecting angles (angle between two intersecting faces is 180.degree. or below, and the line at which the two faces intersect is made as a projecting line) along edges of the blocks made of two rectangular prisms, and constitutes a cavity by suitably contacting the edges of the blocks.

Abstract: This is a procedure for stabilizing or filling an aneurysm in the vasculature. The procedure involves the introduction into the aneurysm of a solid vaso-occlusive device such as a coil or braid and a polymeric composition which may be reformed or solidified in situ. The solid vaso-occlusive device is at least partially surrounded or enveloped by that polymeric composition. The polymeric composition is reformed via light, heat, R.F. or the like to form a rigid mass with the solid vaso-occlusive device. These steps may be carried out sequentially or the steps of introducing the vaso-occlusive device and reforming the polymeric composition may be carried out simultaneously. The procedure may be accomplished using intravascular catheters to access the desired site and to deliver the noted materials.

Abstract: An improved stapling arrangement comprises a unique anvil which forces the ends of the staple legs to overlap when the staple is fully deformed.

Abstract: A suture passer comprises a longitudinally extending hollow cannula having a central passage slidingly receivable of a surgical suture; a manually graspable handle connected to the hollow cannula for manipulation thereof, the handle having an upper surface; first guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate a proximal end of the handle for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture; second guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, distal to the first guide means, for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture. The suture passer can be provided in a kit, for use in the suturing of internal tissue, along with a cannula bender, various hollow surgical needles and surgical suture material. The suture passer finds particular use in the suturing of internal tissues which are at least partially accessible through a body cavity, e.g., arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: A suture securing apparatus for positioning a suture securing device having a passage therethrough. The apparatus includes a holding member having at one end a handle and at the other end means for engaging a suture securing device, a suture recovery member adapted to draw a loop of suture through the passage in the suture securing device, and a suture clamping element adapted to securely engage suture which has been passed through the loop in the suture securing device.

Abstract: A vessel or biological duct repair device and method includes a strap of material that is placed around the exterior surface of the vessel and drawn snugly about the vessel. The device can be used to seal an incision or rupture in a vessel, to correct an aneurysm, or to apply pressure to the exterior of the vessel. The device may also include a projection or other means to aid grasping and positioning the device. The device may include a closure mechanism that allows the device to assume various internal diameters or to exert varying amounts of pressure to a vessel. A layer of pro-coagulant material may be provided on a vessel contacting surface of the device to promote clotting of any blood that escapes the vessel. The device may be prevented from moving relative to a surrounded vessel by ridges provided on the vessel contacting surfaces, by suturing the device to surrounding tissue, or by applying an adhesive to fix the device to the vessel.

Abstract: An expandable fastener device for attaching tissue to bone and a surgical operating technique for using The fastener device includes a shaft which will pierce tissue and when rotated, will drill a hole in bone with a drill point to receive the fastener in bone. The device can be drilled in place and fixed in place by actuation of the device itself.

Abstract: A method for performing surgical procedures using a multi-functional access port for deploying a wide array of instruments and manipulation devices, including a surgeon's hand or fingers. The method includes optional video-assisted techniques and one or more components to aid in those techniques. The multi-functional access port includes a sealing ring providing easy access to the body cavity and to prevent contamination of one or more incisions of the body wall. The sealing ring may also be used to effect a seal when and if desired expansion of the body cavity is to be maintained. The sealing ring acts to isolate the exterior surface and optionally the interior surface of the body wall. Another component designed to aid in the surgical techniques of the present invention is a modified surgical glove that extends up to at least the surgeon's wrist.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing a knot such as a laparoscopy knot. Knot material containing a knot is wound around a ferrule surrounding a cylinder. A second ferrule surrounds the first ferrule so that the edge of the second ferrule abuts and attaches to the end windings of the knot material. Sliding the second ferrule pushes the windings of knot material including the knot off of the first ferrule and free of the cylinder. The cylinder, ferrules, and knot material containing the knot may be assembled as one disposable unit.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to medical devices comprised of biodegradable guide channels for use in repair and regeneration of nerve tissue. The guide channels are comprised of threads embedded in a matrix and coextruded with active factors wherein both the matrix and the threads are comprised of biocompatible and bioabsorbable esters of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and methods for accessing the spinal epidural space via the neural foramen. In one aspect of this invention a deflecting conduit needle device is disclosed having an elongated body extending substantially along a first axis. The device has a proximal end and a distal end, and a transverse conduit, positioned along the distal one-eighth of the device and extending substantially along a second axis, wherein the second axis is positioned at an acute angle relative to the first axis. In another aspect of the invention a method is disclosed for accessing the spinal epidural space via the neural foramen.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus for suturing vascular tissue including a body portion having a first and a second jaw mounted for movement on a distal end thereon and moveable between an open position spaced apart to a closed position wherein the first and second jaws are in close cooperative alignment and a handle member for moving the first and second jaws to move them between the open and closed positions. The apparatus further includes a reciprocating mechanism associated with the first and second jaws and movable between a first position securing a surgical needle within the first jaw and a second position releasing the surgical needle from the first jaw and a cam actuating lever engagable with the reciprocating mechanism such that the cam actuating lever cams the reciprocating mechanism between the first and second positions in response to predetermined movement of the handle member.

Abstract: A device for sealing a puncture in a tissue within a living body, comprises a flexible tube including an opening, wherein the flexible tube extends from a proximal end which, when the device is in an operative position, is located outside the living body, to a distal end which, in the operative position, is located within the living body on a distal side of the puncture in combination with an inner member received within the flexible tube so that the inner member may move proximally and distally with respect to the flexible tube. A first end of a flexible anchor member is coupled to the inner member so that, when the inner member is moved with respect to the outer member, a second end of the anchor member extends through the opening outside the flexible tube.

Abstract: A coupler is provided for connecting a stent and a vascular graft for repairing aneurysms. An intravascular stent is connected to a vascular graft by a coupler having a high degree of elasticity so that the stent-coupler-graft assembly can be implanted to repair a body passageway, including aortic aneurysms.

Abstract: A renal perfusion clamp which is capable of opening to 180 degrees. The perfusion damp of the present invention additionally allows for interchange of variously sized clamp heads in order to accommodate aortic cuffs of various sizes. The perfusion clamp provides for adjustable clamping force which is controllable by the perfusionist.