Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for permitting the introduction of a surgical instrument into a patient's body while providing a substantial seal about the instrument. The valve assembly includes a sealing gasket assembly providing a fluid tight seal before instrument insertion, and is configured and dimensioned for accommodating an instrument and providing a substantial fluid tight seal after insertion of an instrument. The valve assembly may further include a deformable sealing member having a substantially central aperture for accommodating the instrument. The sealing member provides a substantial seal about the instrument when the instrument is passed therethrough impeding the egress of fluids and gasses through the valve assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve/seal assembly that is adapted for use in a variety of applications, such as for example, medical, consumer beverage, pharmaceutical containers, automobile, household appliance and marine. The disclosed valve includes, inter alia, a valve housing having an upper body portion and a lower body portion and a generally spherical valve member. The upper and lower body portions of the housing define an internal chamber for accommodating the valve member and a central axis for the valve. The generally spherical valve member is seated within the internal chamber of the valve housing and has an axial bore extending therethrough. The valve member is mounted for movement between an open position; wherein the axial bore of the valve member is axially aligned with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing, and a closed position; wherein the axial bore of the valve member is out of alignment with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach surgical mesh to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The apparatus includes a frame, and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage cartridge is removably supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section with each staple being configured and adapted to attach the mesh to the body tissue. An elongated pusher system formed of several assembled components and extending from the frame to the endoscopic section is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally for positioning adjacent the surgical mesh and the body tissue. The pusher system also includes a trigger system to actuate the pusher.

Abstract: A biological sample collection and storage kit s disclosed that includes a plurality of biological sample storage devices, a plurality of biological sample collection devices configured to collect biological samples for placement into the sample storage devices, identification devices for identifying the contents of the sample storage devices, and a housing including a base portion and a lid portion forming an interior cavity therebetween for accommodating the plurality of biological sample storage devices, the plurality of biological sample collection devices and the identification devices.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for permitting the introduction of a surgical instrument into a patient's body while providing a substantial seal about the instrument. The valve assembly includes a sealing gasket assembly providing a fluid tight seal before instrument insertion, and is configured and dimensioned for accommodating an instrument and providing a substantial fluid tight seal after insertion of an instrument. The valve assembly may further include a deformable sealing member having a substantially central aperture for accommodating the instrument. The sealing member provides a substantial seal about the instrument when the instrument is passed therethrough impeding the egress of fluids and gasses through the valve assembly.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for permitting the introduction of a surgical instrument into a patient's body while providing a substantial seal about the instrument. The valve assembly includes a sealing gasket assembly providing a fluid tight seal before instrument insertion, and is configured and dimensioned for accommodating an instrument and providing a substantial fluid tight seal after insertion of an instrument. The valve assembly may further include a deformable sealing member having a substantially central aperture for accommodating the instrument. The sealing member provides a substantial seal about the instrument when the instrument is passed therethrough impeding the egress of fluids and gasses through the valve assembly.

Abstract: A biological sample collection and storage kit s disclosed that includes a plurality of biological sample storage devices, a plurality of biological sample collection devices configured to collect biological samples for placement into the sample storage devices, identification devices for identifying the contents of the sample storage devices, and a housing including a base portion and a lid portion forming an interior cavity therebetween for accommodating the plurality of biological sample storage devices, the plurality of biological sample collection devices and the identification devices.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for use in endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures. The instrument includes a handle portion, an endoscopic portion extending from the handle portion, an articulating section pivotably connected to a distal end portion of the endoscopic portion, and a retractor assembly operatively associated with the articulating section. Structure is provided for manipulating the articulating section relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic portion within an angular degree of rotation. An injection port may also be provided to deliver fluids through the endoscopic portion to the operative site.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus having first and second handle members pivotably mounted to one another for movement from an open position to a closed position to clamp body tissue between the distal jaws. After the body tissue is clamped, a trigger mechanism is activated to advance a staple pusher to force a staple through the tissue and into contact with an anvil to deform the staple legs. An actuating lever may be interposed between the trigger mechanism and the staple pusher.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach surgical mesh to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The apparatus includes a frame, and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage cartridge is removably supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section with each staple being configured and adapted to attach the mesh to the body tissue. An elongated pusher system formed of several assembled components and extending from the frame to the endoscopic section is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally for positioning adjacent the surgical mesh and the body tissue. The pusher system also includes a trigger system to actuate the pusher.

Abstract: A detachable anvil assembly for use with an apparatus for performing circular anastomosis of tubular organs includes an elongated anvil rod having proximal and distal end portions and an anvil head mounted to the distal end portion of the anvil rod. The distal end portion is pivotally mounted and is adapted to pivot approximately plus or minus ninety degrees relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the rod. An elongated delivery member detachably receives the anvil assembly and facilitates delivery of the anvil assembly to the operative site. The pivoting feature of the distal end reduces the transverse profile of the assembly which consequently facilitates introduction and advancement of the anvil assembly within the tubular organ.

Abstract: A disposable loading unit is disclosed for use in conjunction with a surgical stapling apparatus configured to sequentially apply a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes an actuation assembly for effectuating a fastener applying operation, and a housing for receiving and releasably supporting the disposable loading unit.

Abstract: Instrumentation for transoral treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an instrument includes a remotely operable invagination device for atraumatically approximating the lower esophagus and fundus of the stomach and for invaginating the gastroesophageal junction into the stomach thereby involuting the surrounding fundic wall. The same or a separate instrument includes a remotely operable surgical fastening instrument for fastening together the invaginated lower esophagus and fundic wall. A method of surgically treating GERD is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical stapling or fastening instrument for applying surgical fasteners to tissue having an adjustable closure mechanism to linearly approximate the distance between the jaw members of the instrument. The adjustable closure mechanism consists of a retaining mechanism and a linkage structure which is actuable to linearly urge the jaw members towards each other. A coupling arrangement is also provided which permits firing of the staples or fasteners only when the jaw members are approximated a predetermined distance towards each other.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a frame and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom. The endoscopic section includes a mechanism for storing a plurality of staples, a mechanism for advancing the staples for positioning adjacent body tissue and a mechanism for at least partially closing each staple. A low pressure pneumatic system disposed in the frame provides the forces to at least partially activate the staple advancing mechanism. The apparatus has particular application in attaching mesh to body tissue as in laparoscopic hernia repair.

Abstract: A detachable anvil assembly for use with an apparatus for performing circular anastomosis of tubular organs includes an elongated anvil rod having proximal and distal end portions and an anvil head mounted to the distal end portion of the anvil rod. The distal end portion is pivotally mounted and is adapted to pivot approximately plus or minus ninety degrees relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the rod. An elongated delivery member detachably receives the anvil assembly and facilitates delivery of the anvil assembly to the operative site. The pivoting feature of the distal end reduces the transverse profile of the assembly which consequently facilitates introduction and advancement of the anvil assembly within the tubular organ.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The apparatus includes a handle and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the handle and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage magazine is provided for storing a plurality of surgical staples at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section. The staple storage magazine is pivotable between a first position in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic section and a second position at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis. An elongated pusher system is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally. A trigger mechanism is provided to actuate the pusher.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for use in endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures. The instrument includes a handle portion, an endoscopic portion extending from the handle portion, an articulating section pivotably connected to a distal end portion of the endoscopic portion, and a retractor assembly operatively associated with the articulating section. Structure is provided for manipulating the articulating section relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic portion within an angular degree of rotation. An injection port may also be provided to deliver fluids through the endoscopic portion to the operative site.

Abstract: A surgical clip applicator comprising a housing, a pair of handles pivotally connected to opposite sides of said housing, and a jaw blade assembly fixedly connected to the housing. The jaw blade assembly includes a pair of jaws for receiving and deforming a clip therebetween and a clip carrier for supplying a series of clips to said jaws. A channel assembly is slidably mounted in the housing and envelops said jaw blade assembly. A forming cam is connected between and to said handles and said channel assembly for sliding said channel assembly in a distal direction in response to closing of said handles together to move said jaws towards each other. A feed cam bar slidably mounted in said channel assembly in overlying relation to said clip carrier, said bar having a nose at its distal end. A pusher bar sidably mounted in said channel assembly for advancing clips along said clip carrier.

Abstract: A disposable loading unit is disclosed for use in conjunction with a surgical stapling apparatus configured to sequentially apply a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes an actuation assembly for effectuating a fastener applying operation, and a housing for receiving and releasably supporting the disposable loading unit.