Abstract: A seal assembly that seals opening in the wall of a blood vessel has a first sealing element for placing inside the lumen of the blood vessel and to engage the interior wall surface, a shaft integrally formed with the first sealing element and fixed in a predetermined configuration relative to the first sealing element, an outer floating element slidingly movable along the shaft; and a second sealing element, the second sealing element slidingly movable relative to the first sealing element along the shaft to engage the outer floating element and position the outer floating element against the exterior surface and the first sealing element against the interior surface of the blood vessel to seal the opening in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for use in laproscopic surgery includes a cannula having a proximal end for use in orientating the assembly into an abdominal cavity, a distal end for insertion into a patient, and a passage through which surgical instruments can be inserted. An expandable feature in the form of an anchor is located toward the distal end of the cannula and is selectively expandable and collapsible. The feature in its expanded state prevents withdrawal of the cannula. A collar is pushed distally until it releasably cinches to the outside of the abdominal cavity thereby creating an airtight seal and stabilizing the assembly. The collar has a friction fit with the cannula designed to prevent excessive force against the cavity walls.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for use in laproscopic surgery includes a cannula having a proximal end for use in orientating the assembly into an abdominal cavity, a distal end for insertion into a patient, and a passage through which surgical instruments can be inserted. An expandable feature in the form of an anchor is located toward the distal end of the cannula and is selectively expandable and collapsible. The feature in its expanded state prevents withdrawal of the cannula. A collar is pushed distally until it releasably cinches to the outside of the abdominal cavity thereby creating an airtight seal and stabilizing the assembly. The collar has a friction fit with the cannula designed to prevent excessive force against the cavity walls.

Abstract: A seal assembly that seals opening in the wall of a blood vessel has a first sealing element for placing inside the lumen of the blood vessel and to engage the interior wall surface, a shaft integrally formed with the first sealing element and fixed in a predetermined configuration relative to the first sealing element, an outer floating element slidingly movable along the shaft; and a second sealing element, the second sealing element slidingly movable relative to the first sealing element along the shaft to engage the outer floating element and position the outer floating element against the exterior surface and the first sealing element against the interior surface of the blood vessel to seal the opening in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A device and a method for sealing an opening in the wall of a blood vessel is provided. The device includes an automatic mechanism, a shaft fixedly connected to the automatic mechanism, a seal assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, and a pushing rod also engaging the seal assembly, the automatic mechanism moving the pushing rod from a first position to a second position in response to the shaft being pulled distally a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A device and a method for sealing an opening in the wall of a blood vessel is provided. The device includes an automatic mechanism, a shaft fixedly connected to the automatic mechanism, a seal assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, and a pushing rod also engaging the seal assembly, the automatic mechanism moving the pushing rod from a first position to a second position in response to the shaft being pulled distally a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A seal assembly that seals opening in the wall of a blood vessel has a first sealing element for placing inside the lumen of the blood vessel and to engage the interior wall surface, a shaft integrally formed with the first sealing element and fixed in a predetermined configuration relative to the first sealing element, an outer floating element slidingly movable along the shaft; and a second sealing element, the second sealing element slidingly movable relative to the first sealing element along the shaft to engage the outer floating element and position the outer floating element against the exterior surface and the first sealing element against the interior surface of the blood vessel to seal the opening in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for use in laproscopic surgery includes a cannula having a proximal end for use in orientating the assembly into an abdominal cavity, a distal end for insertion into a patient, and a passage through which surgical instruments can be inserted. An expandable feature in the form of an anchor is located toward the distal end of the cannula and is selectively expandable and collapsible. The feature in its expanded state prevents withdrawal of the cannula. A collar is pushed distally until it releasably cinches to the outside of the abdominal cavity thereby creating an airtight seal and stabilizing the assembly. The collar has a friction fit with the cannula designed to prevent excessive force against the cavity walls.

Abstract: A surgical ligation clip for double ligating a vessel, duct or other fluid carrying structure and a method for double ligating such structure.

Abstract: An improved surgical dilator extractor is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a trocar cannula and expanded, forming a tissue receiving space, at the distal end. The tissue receiving space is enlarged by passing a grasper through a lumen of the dilator extractor to interact with a guide surface on the interior of dilator extractor to expand a dilator portion having a single leaf beyond the natural resiliency of the leaf. The tissue being extracted is then manipulated into the space with the grasper. The tissue is then removed from the cavity by the surgeon applying a force onto the dilator extractor that insures the elongation of the tissue and temporarily dilates the entry wound to the extent necessary for the tissue to be removed. Alternative embodiments of the surgical dilator extractor and related instrument tool sets and methods for the use thereof also are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the risk of performing a procedure on a patient is provided. An algorithm is presented that allows the determination of the risks associated with a procedure and a determination can then be made as to whether the procedure should be done.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rendering a battery safe for disposal by completing a circuit between positive and negative terminals to rapidly deplete the battery of power.

Abstract: A surgical mesh has a therapeutic amount of an antimicrobial substance attached to the mesh. The surgical mesh is then stabilized by either freeze drying or keeping cold after attaching the antimicrobial substance. The surgical mesh is then sterilized with an electron beam. The stabilization of the surgical mesh allows the mesh to be used up to a year after the antimicrobial substance is attached and still be effective against bacteria.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a plurality of individual surgical anchors is disclosed. The delivery device includes a housing, a delivery tube, having a distal and a proximal end, an actuator, flexible anchor reaction members, a reciprocating anchor carrier, having a distal and a proximal end, the distal end terminating in a tissue penetrator. The device further includes at least one surgical anchor located in juxtaposition with the anchor carrier. Each of the surgical anchors has a penetration section and a head section. The surgical anchors are preferably made from an absorbable polymer. The actuator is connected to the anchor carrier and has at least two states. The first/home state, includes a position such that the surgical anchor is proximal the distal end of the tube. The second state is such that the penetrating section of the surgical anchor is exposed beyond the distal end of the delivery tube.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering at least one surgical anchor into a patient's tissue is provided and includes a housing; a delivery tube with distal and proximal ends, the delivery tube including a retention member disposed at the distal end thereof and extending inwardly at an angle transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the delivery tube; and a reciprocating anchor carrier with distal and proximal positions and distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the anchor carrier terminating in a tissue penetrator member, the anchor carrier being moveable distally and proximally with respect to the delivery device, the tissue penetrator member defining an annular shoulder configured to removably retain a plurality of surgical anchors about the anchor carrier.

Abstract: A ligation clip applicator design is provided that is particularly applicable to placement of a surgical ligation clip during a laparoscopic surgical procedure. The applicator has a magazine including first and second longitudinally extending partially closed channels within which enlarged portions of a ligation clip are received and held in an open position. First and second substantially parallel compression members are attached to the magazine and have first and second channel extensions therein aligned with the first and second channels of the magazine for receiving the first and second enlarged portions of the clip. The channel extensions include first and second releasing openings. The compression members close about a vessel, remaining substantially parallel as they close. The clip is pushed forward into the compression members to a position where the enlarged portions of the clip are aligned with the releasing openings, permitting the clip to be released to close and ligate the vessel.

Abstract: A method of forming and deploying an improved absorbable anchor for hernia mesh fixation is disclosed. The absorbable anchor of the present invention functions to securely fasten tough, non macro-porous, and relative inelastic mesh to soft tissue. The anchor is formed from co-polymers of lactide and glycolide.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for significant reduction of seroma formation, seroma related complications and time until drain removal following surgery are disclosed. Talc, with and without thrombin, bleomycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, doxycycline, polidocanol alone or in combination or combined with talc and/or thrombin for use in operatives wound and lymph node dissections to reduce seromas are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for disrupting the colonization of Staphylococcus aureus are disclosed. A lysostaphin antimicrobial coating for bone implants and a lysostaphin gel for use on open wounds to reduce infections are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating a surgical incision uses a material coated in an antimicrobial material. The material may be a synthetic mesh, an allograft, or a xenograft. The antimicrobial material is either tryclosan or lysostaphin. The coating of the material is performed either by adsorption or by covalent bonding.