Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, and an elongated shaft extending from the housing. The elongated shaft has a proximal end secured to the housing, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and a first axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated shaft. Surgical fasteners are disposed in the elongated shaft. The surgical fasteners are stacked at an angle relative to the first axis of the elongated shaft. A distal end cap having a surgical fastener dispensing window is secured to the distal end of the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument has a firing system disposed in the housing, and an actuator coupled with the firing system for activating the firing system to dispense the surgical fasteners through the surgical fastener dispensing window.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, a firing system moveable along a first axis, a handle extending upwardly from the housing along a second axis that defines an acute angle with the first axis, the handle having an upper free end that defines a top of the applicator instrument, a trigger coupled with the housing for activating the firing system, and an elongated shaft extending from the distal end of the housing, the elongated shaft having a proximal shaft section extending along the first axis and a distal shaft section that is oriented at an angle relative to the proximal shaft section for extending upwardly toward the top of the applicator instrument. The trigger is squeezed for dispensing surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument has at least one visual indicator for indicating a proper orientation for the applicator instrument in which the upper free end of the handle is positioned above the housing.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, a firing system moveable along a first axis, a handle extending upwardly from the housing along a second axis that defines an acute angle with the first axis, the handle having an upper free end that defines a top of the applicator instrument, a trigger coupled with the housing for activating the firing system, and an elongated shaft extending from the distal end of the housing, the elongated shaft having a proximal shaft section extending along the first axis and a distal shaft section that is oriented at an angle relative to the proximal shaft section for extending upwardly toward the top of the applicator instrument. The trigger is squeezed for dispensing surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument has at least one visual indicator for indicating a proper orientation for the applicator instrument in which the upper free end of the handle is positioned above the housing.

Abstract: A method of dispensing surgical fasteners includes providing an applicator instrument having a housing with a cartridge opening, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a firing system disposed within the housing for dispensing surgical fasteners, and an actuator for activating the firing system. The method includes forming a surgical opening in tissue, inserting a distal end of the elongated shaft into the surgical opening, inserting a cartridge containing a plurality of first surgical fasteners into the cartridge opening, and engaging the actuator for dispensing one of the first surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, and an elongated shaft extending from the housing. The elongated shaft has a proximal end secured to the housing, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and a first axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated shaft. Surgical fasteners are disposed in the elongated shaft. The surgical fasteners are stacked at an angle relative to the first axis of the elongated shaft. A distal end cap having a surgical fastener dispensing window is secured to the distal end of the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument has a firing system disposed in the housing, and an actuator coupled with the firing system for activating the firing system to dispense the surgical fasteners through the surgical fastener dispensing window.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, and an elongated shaft extending from the housing. The elongated shaft has a proximal end secured to the housing, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and a first axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated shaft. Surgical fasteners are disposed in the elongated shaft. The surgical fasteners are stacked at an angle relative to the first axis of the elongated shaft. A distal end cap having a surgical fastener dispensing window is secured to the distal end of the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument has a firing system disposed in the housing, and an actuator coupled with the firing system for activating the firing system to dispense the surgical fasteners through the surgical fastener dispensing window.

Abstract: A method of dispensing surgical fasteners includes providing an applicator instrument having a housing with a cartridge opening, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a firing system disposed within the housing for dispensing surgical fasteners, and an actuator for activating the firing system. The method includes forming a surgical opening in tissue, inserting a distal end of the elongated shaft into the surgical opening, inserting a cartridge containing a plurality of first surgical fasteners into the cartridge opening, and engaging the actuator for dispensing one of the first surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: A needle camera adaptor includes a tube-shaped body having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a lumen that extends along the longitudinal axis. A centrally-located lateral access opening is formed in an outer wall of the tube-shaped body. A needle securing channel is formed in the outer wall and extends between the lateral access opening and the distal end of the tube-shaped body. A curved suture needle is disposed within the needle securing channel. The needle securing channel and the curved suture needle extend along an axis that defines an oblique angle with the longitudinal axis of the needle camera adaptor. A visualization device, facing distally, is positioned within the lumen at the proximal end of the tube-shaped body. The lateral access opening, the needle securing channel, and the curved suture needle are located within a field of view of the visualization device.

Abstract: A system for aligning a needle driver with a tip of a suture needle includes a suture needle package having a base, a needle driver alignment guide, and at least one connector for securing the suture needle. The needle driver alignment guide has first and second lateral guide walls that oppose one another for defining a needle driver guide channel. An end wall interconnects the first and second lateral guide walls for defining a distal end of the needle driver alignment guide. The at least one connector secures the suture needle over the base and controls the orientation of the suture needle so that a tip of the suture needle is located within the suture needle guide channel and is bounded by the end wall and the first and second lateral guide walls. A needle driver has a clamping assembly at a distal end that engages the end wall of the needle driver alignment guide for aligning the clamping assembly with the tip of the suture needle.

Abstract: A needle sheath includes a tubular shaft having a chamfered edge at a distal end thereof. A stop flange is secured to a proximal end of the tubular shaft. A needle relief slot is formed in a bottom side of the tubular shaft. The needle relief slot has a length that extends along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft. A needle point slot formed in a top side of the tubular shaft. The needle point slot has a length that extends along an axis that is perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft and the needle relief slot axis. A suture needle is disposed within the tubular shaft of the needle sheath. The suture needle has a curved body that passes through the needle relief slot and a needle point captured within the needle point slot.

Abstract: A system for aligning a needle driver with a tip of a suture needle includes a suture needle package having a base, a needle driver alignment guide, and at least one connector for securing the suture needle. The needle driver alignment guide has first and second lateral guide walls that oppose one another for defining a needle driver guide channel. An end wall interconnects the first and second lateral guide walls for defining a distal end of the needle driver alignment guide. The at least one connector secures the suture needle over the base and controls the orientation of the suture needle so that a tip of the suture needle is located within the suture needle guide channel and is bounded by the end wall and the first and second lateral guide walls. A needle driver has a clamping assembly at a distal end that engages the end wall of the needle driver alignment guide for aligning the clamping assembly with the tip of the suture needle.

Abstract: A surgical method includes arranging a plurality of suture needle containers in a surgical environment, whereby at least one of the suture needle containers includes a receptacle having a proximal end with an opening and a distal end that is closed by an end wall, a suture needle disposed within the receptacle, and a cover sealing the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle for maintaining a sterile environment for the suture needle inside the receptacle. The method includes causing a controller of a surgical robotic system to transmit input instructions to an electromechanical tool for breaching the cover for providing access to the suture needle disposed within the receptacle. After breaching the cover, a distal end of a surgical tool secures the suture needle for removing the secured suture needle from the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle.

Abstract: A suture needle container includes a receptacle having a proximal end with an opening and a closed distal end. A hollow mandrel is disposed inside the receptacle. The mandrel projects from the closed distal end toward the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle. The mandrel includes a tubular wall having a proximal end aligned with the proximal end of the receptacle and a distal end connected with the closed distal end of the receptacle. An elongated slot is formed in the tubular wall. A suture needle is disposed within the elongated slot. A suture is secured to the proximal end of the suture needle and wrapped around the hollow mandrel. A cover closes the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle for sealing the suture needle and the suture inside the receptacle for maintaining a sterile environment inside the receptacle.

Abstract: Novel mesh implant positioning systems for use in laparoscopic body wall defect repairs, such as hernia defects, are disclosed. The systems utilize one or more bar members combined with surgical sutures and needles to position a mesh implant adjacent to a body wall defect without the need for stay sutures. Also disclosed are assemblies of the positioning systems with surgical mesh repair implants, and methods of repairing body wall defects such as hernias with the assemblies.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes an elongated shaft, a housing connected with the elongated shaft, a trigger, a gear train, and a firing system disposed in the housing. The trigger is squeezed for commencing a firing cycle. The firing system includes a storage reel, a spool connected to the storage reel, a drive wheel located distal to the storage reel and the spool, a constant torque spring having a proximal end connected to the spool and a distal end connected to the drive wheel, and a flexible member in contact with the drive wheel. The flexible member has a proximal end connected to the storage reel and a length configured to be driven by the drive wheel toward the distal end of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: A needle sheath includes a tubular shaft having a chamfered edge at a distal end thereof. A stop flange is secured to a proximal end of the tubular shaft. A needle relief slot is formed in a bottom side of the tubular shaft. The needle relief slot has a length that extends along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft. A needle point slot formed in a top side of the tubular shaft. The needle point slot has a length that extends along an axis that is perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft and the needle relief slot axis. A suture needle is disposed within the tubular shaft of the needle sheath. The suture needle has a curved body that passes through the needle relief slot and a needle point captured within the needle point slot.

Abstract: A suture needle container includes a receptacle having a proximal end with an opening and a closed distal end. A hollow mandrel is disposed inside the receptacle. The mandrel projects from the closed distal end toward the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle. The mandrel includes a tubular wall having a proximal end aligned with the proximal end of the receptacle and a distal end connected with the closed distal end of the receptacle. An elongated slot is formed in the tubular wall. A suture needle is disposed within the elongated slot. A suture is secured to the proximal end of the suture needle and wrapped around the hollow mandrel. A cover closes the opening at the proximal end of the receptacle for sealing the suture needle and the suture inside the receptacle for maintaining a sterile environment inside the receptacle.

Abstract: A system for aligning a needle driver with a tip of a suture needle includes a suture needle package having a base, a needle driver alignment guide, and at least one connector for securing the suture needle. The needle driver alignment guide has first and second lateral guide walls that oppose one another for defining a needle driver guide channel. An end wall interconnects the first and second lateral guide walls for defining a distal end of the needle driver alignment guide. The at least one connector secures the suture needle over the base and controls the orientation of the suture needle so that a tip of the suture needle is located within the suture needle guide channel and is bounded by the end wall and the first and second lateral guide walls. A needle driver has a clamping assembly at a distal end that engages the end wall of the needle driver alignment guide for aligning the clamping assembly with the tip of the suture needle.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing having a cartridge opening, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, and a cartridge insertable into the cartridge opening, the cartridge having a plurality of surgical fasteners pre-loaded into the cartridge. The applicator instrument has a firing system disposed within the housing, and an actuator for activating the firing system to commence a firing cycle for removing one of the surgical fasteners from the cartridge and driving the removed surgical fastener from the housing to a distal end of the elongated shaft. In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a cartridge body having an upper end and a lower end insertable into the cartridge opening. The surgical fasteners are arrayed in a stack that extends between the upper and lower ends of the cartridge body.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft, and an elongated conduit extending through the elongated shaft. A firing system is disposed within the housing. The firing system has an insertion tool having a top surface that extends proximal and distal ends thereof and a stripper ramp that projects above the top surface. An actuator activates the firing system to commence a firing cycle. During the firing cycle, the firing system drives the insertion tool toward the distal end of the elongated shaft. The elongated conduit has a top wall with a top notch formed therein. The stripper ramp slides through the top notch for guiding movement of the insertion tool as the firing system drives the insertion tool toward the distal end of the elongated shaft.