Abstract: A method of verifying a material application including the steps of inputting a first product number, inputting a second product number and confirming. The inputting of the first product number is done from a routing instrument. The inputting of the second product number is done from a number physically associated with the product. The confirming step is carried out by confirming the first product number and the second product number are identical.

Abstract: A method of verifying a material application including the steps of inputting a first product number, inputting a second product number and confirming. The inputting of the first product number is done from a routing instrument. The inputting of the second product number is done from a number physically associated with the product. The confirming step is carried out by confirming the first product number and the second product number are identical.

Abstract: A biopsy device is disclosed. The biopsy device disclosed includes an outer cutting cannula and an inner cannula. The inner cannula has a side sample port for receiving a biopsy sample. The outer cannula can be selectively positioned with respect to the side port to provide fine needle aspiration sampling or, alternatively, core biopsy sampling.

Abstract: A biopsy method is disclosed. The biopsy method can be used to provide a fine needle aspiration sample and a core biopsy sample. The biopsy method can include adjusting a sample port length without removing the biopsy device from the patient.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method useful for obtaining a tissue sample are provided. The apparatus can include a rotating and trasnslating cutter, a probe, and an outer sheath. The probe can be cooled, such as with a cryogenic substance. The sheath can shield surrounding tissue from the outer surface of the rotating cutter.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for being endoscopically or laparoscopically inserted into a surgical site for simultaneous stapling and severing of tissue includes force adjusted spacing between an upper jaw (anvil) and a lower jaw (staple cartridge engaged to an elongate staple channel) so that the height of staple formation corresponds to the thickness of the tissue, yet does not exceed the height range that may be accommodated by the length of the staples. In particular, resilient structures may be formed into one or more of the elongate channel that supports the staple cartridge, the anvil that is pivotally attached to the elongate channel, and/or a firing member that includes a cutting surface (knife) that severs tissue between a top pin that engages the anvil and a lower foot that engage the elongate channel. The resilience responds to the force exerted by clamped tissue to vary the spacing between the anvil and the staple cartridge supported within the elongate channel.

Abstract: A visceral barrier has a barrier element that is changeable between an opened and a closed configuration. The barrier element may be positioned while in the opened configuration to temporarily reposition the viscera within the body cavity. A method of repositioning the viscera in a body cavity of a patient during a surgical procedure includes providing a visceral barrier, introducing the visceral barrier into the body cavity when the barrier element is in the closed configuration, opening the barrier element to the opened configuration, and positioning the barrier element within the body cavity to reposition the viscera and provide a space for performing a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A tissue suspension device has an elongated spanning element with a first and a second end. A suspending element is attachable to the spanning element. A first supporting element is attached to the first end of the spanning element, and a second supporting element is attached to the second end of the spanning element. The tissue suspension device substantially spans the transverse width of the body cavity and suspends tissue within the body cavity. The first and second supporting elements are attachable to the body wall, which supports the weight of the suspended tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system and method is provided for a hand-assisted, laparoscopic procedure. The system has a laparoscopic disc and a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument has at least one end effector that is removably attachable to the distal end of the surgical instrument. The surgeon may pass his/her hand into the body cavity via the laparoscopic disc and may removably attach the end effector to the distal end of the surgical instrument while the distal end of the surgical instrument is inside of the body cavity of the patient.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a base having two or more ports or apertures that provide for the insertion of surgical instruments. The multi-port insert may be used with a laparoscopic access device. The multi-port insert may also include one or more instrument supports that are attached to the base to fix the position of one or more surgical instruments inserted through the multi-port insert.

Abstract: A storage device temporarily holds a surgical instrument within a body cavity of a patient during a surgical procedure. The storage device has a pouch with at least one compartment, and an opening for receiving at least one surgical instrument. The storage device has an attaching element joined to the pouch to removably attach the storage device to a structure within the body cavity of the patient. A method is also provided for temporarily storing a surgical instrument inside the body cavity of a patient.

Abstract: A surgical access device provides surgical access through an incision in the body wall to the inside of a body cavity of a patient. The surgical access device has a subassembly with an opening around a center axis and is adjustable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The surgical access device has a sleeve attached to the subassembly and positionable in the incision. The sleeve defines a passageway through the body wall between the opening in the valve subassembly and the body cavity. The surgical access device also has at least one access channel extending from the subassembly. The access channel is outside the opening and the passageway and provides an access to the body cavity.

Abstract: A method is provided for planning a surgical procedure on a patient. The method includes surgically accessing a body cavity of the patient, identifying a key, anatomical structure within the body cavity; and marking the key, anatomical structure. The key, anatomical structure may be a distal or proximal end point of tissue to be resected, a vessel that supplies arterial blood to tissue to be resected, or the cutting line for the tissue to be resected. A tissue marker is also provided for marking soft, internal tissue during a surgical procedure. The tissue marker may be mechanically attachable to tissue, or the tissue marker may comprise a marking fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument and method for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy. The instrument comprises a tube assembly, and an end effector assembly operably supported thereby, where the end effector assembly includes a positioner assembly and an anchor driver assembly in operable mechanical communication with a handle, for use in performing anastomotic procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy having a tube assembly, and an end effector assembly operably supported by the tube assembly, where the end effector assembly includes an anchor for insertion into and through the patient's bladder wall and pelvic floor and an anchor guide associated therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument, assembly, and method for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy. The instrument comprises a tube assembly having an end effector assembly operably supported thereby, where the end effector assembly includes a harness adapted to receive a balloon portion of a balloon catheter assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy having a tube assembly, and an end effector assembly operably supported by the tube assembly. The end effector assembly includes a positioner assembly and an anchor driver assembly in operable mechanical communication with first and second rods of the tube assembly, so as to be actuable by movement of the first and the second rods with respect to a spine member.

Abstract: A system and method to be used in ultrasonic lithotripsy of a stone in a ureter, the system including a catheter having a probe tip capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy. The catheter can include an inflatable balloon adjacent to the probe tip, the balloon capable of pooling some urine in the ureter to be used as an ultrasonic transmission media. The ultrasonic probe is connected to a source of energy capable of driving the probe tip to deliver ultrasonic energy of a high frequency and relatively low energy to image a stone. Then the probe can be connected to a source of energy capable of driving the probe to deliver a low frequency, high energy ultrasonic to disintegrate the stone.

Abstract: A system and method to be used in ultrasonic or other types of lithotripsy of a stone in a ureter, the system including a catheter having a stone probe tip capable of transmitting stone reducing energy. The catheter can include an expandable funnel section adjacent to the probe tip, such that expansion of the expandable funnel section can dislodge a stone by pushing back on the ureter wall expanding it slightly. The funnel section also being capable of pooling some urine in the ureter to be used as an ultrasonic transmission media. The stone probe can be connected to a source of energy capable of driving the probe tip to deliver energy to break apart the stone.

Abstract: A method and system for treating tissue with a surgical device includes the steps of displaying an image created by collecting imaging data from an imaging device, selecting at least one tissue target from the image, determining the effective treatment volume of the surgical device and determining a treatment modality for treating the tissue target with the surgical device, where the treatment modality is made up of at least one target treatment volume. The method may also include the steps of determining the position and orientation of the imaging device, the image and the surgical device, indicating the trajectory of the surgical device with respect to the image on the display screen, inserting the surgical device in the patient based upon the trajectory and treating the tissue target. The method may further include indicating the target treatment volumes on the display screen.