Abstract: The present invention is directed to circular surgical staplers for anastomotic joining of tissue comprising a stapling head connected to an opposing anvil, said stapling head containing a plurality of deployable staples in concentric arrays; a plurality of resorbable medicant-releasing microneedles, the microneedles comprising elongated rods having a sharp tissue-penetrating distal end and a proximal end; with the microneedles releasably disposed on or within the stapling head or the anvil. The present invention is also directed to methods of use of such stapler devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to enhance the properties of repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site, especially when sealing an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections so as to improve tissue viability, prevent tissue infection, and to prevent leakage. The present invention further relates to circular stapling instruments and elongated tubular hollow sleeves having compressible/expandable rings, deployed from such stapling instruments and establishing an isolated enclosure around the stapled and resected tissues at the anastomotic joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to enhance the properties of repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site, especially when sealing an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections so as to improve tissue viability, prevent tissue infection, and to prevent leakage. The present invention further relates to circular stapling instruments and elongated tubular hollow sleeves deployed from such stapling instruments and establishing an isolated enclosure around the stapled and resected tissues at the anastomotic joint.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to linear surgical staplers for joining tissue layers comprising a disposable cartridge installed in a first jaw connected to an opposing second jaw, said cartridge containing a plurality of deployable staples in arrays separated by a tissue resection slot and a plurality of resorbable medicant-releasing microneedles, said microneedles comprising elongated rods having a sharp tissue-penetrating distal end and a proximal end; said microneedles are releasably disposed on or within a tissue-facing surface of the cartridge, wherein the proximal end of the microneedles is supported on the cartridge. The present invention is also directed to methods of use of such stapler assembly devices.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector including an anvil and lower jaw. The anvil is pivotable toward the lower jaw to capture tissue. The apparatus further includes a stapling and severing assembly configured to sever and staple tissue clamped between the anvil and the lower jaw. A staple cartridge is coupled with the lower jaw. The staple cartridge includes a deck facing the anvil, a plurality of staples positioned in a plurality of staple openings formed through the deck, and a magnetic feature configured to be coupled to tissue in response to activation of the stapling and severing mechanism. The magnetic feature is configured to be coupled to tissue in response to actuation of the staple cartridge, wherein the magnetic feature is configured to retain at least one outer portion of stapled tissue in an inwardly folded position relative to an inner portion of stapled tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to enhance the properties of repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site, especially when sealing an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections so as to improve tissue viability, prevent tissue infection, and to prevent leakage. The present invention further relates to circular stapling instruments and elongated tubular hollow sleeves deployed from such stapling instruments and establishing an isolated enclosure around the stapled and resected tissues at the anastomotic joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to enhance the properties of repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site, especially when sealing an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections so as to improve tissue viability, prevent tissue infection, and to prevent leakage. The present invention further relates to circular stapling instruments and elongated tubular hollow sleeves having compressible/expandable rings, deployed from such stapling instruments and establishing an isolated enclosure around the stapled and resected tissues at the anastomotic joint.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector including an anvil and lower jaw. The anvil is pivotable toward the lower jaw to capture tissue. The apparatus further includes a stapling and severing assembly configured to sever and staple tissue clamped between the anvil and the lower jaw. A staple cartridge is coupled with the lower jaw. The staple cartridge includes a deck facing the anvil, a plurality of staples positioned in a plurality of staple openings formed through the deck, and a magnetic feature configured to be coupled to tissue in response to activation of the stapling and severing mechanism. The magnetic feature is configured to be coupled to tissue in response to actuation of the staple cartridge, wherein the magnetic feature is configured to retain at least one outer portion of stapled tissue in an inwardly folded position relative to an inner portion of stapled tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to circular surgical staplers for anastomotic joining of tissue comprising a stapling head connected to an opposing anvil, said stapling head containing a plurality of deployable staples in concentric arrays; a plurality of resorbable medicant-releasing microneedles, the microneedles comprising elongated rods having a sharp tissue-penetrating distal end and a proximal end; with the microneedles releasably disposed on or within the stapling head or the anvil. The present invention is also directed to methods of use of such stapler devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to linear surgical staplers for joining tissue layers comprising a disposable cartridge installed in a first jaw connected to an opposing second jaw, said cartridge containing a plurality of deployable staples in arrays separated by a tissue resection slot and a plurality of resorbable medicant-releasing microneedles, said microneedles comprising elongated rods having a sharp tissue-penetrating distal end and a proximal end; said microneedles are releasably disposed on or within a tissue-facing surface of the cartridge, wherein the proximal end of the microneedles is supported on the cartridge. The present invention is also directed to methods of use of such stapler assembly devices.

Abstract: A hemostat comprises a non-porous patch made of a bio-resorbable tissue compatible material, said patch having a tissue-facing surface and a top surface; an optional hemostatic agent that is disposed on said tissue-facing surface or optionally dispersed throughout said patch or optionally as a separate carrier layer, and at least one aperture or slit that penetrates said patch at least partially from said tissue-facing surface to said top surface.

Abstract: A device for tensioning barbed sutures used for securing tissue or prosthetic devices includes a handle, and a shaft having a proximal end connected with the handle and a distal end remote therefrom. The distal end of the shaft includes a pressure applying surface for pressing against the tissue and the prosthetic devices. The tensioning device includes a pair of grooves extending through the shaft from the pressure applying surface at the distal end of the shaft toward the proximal end of the shaft. A barbed suture is tensioned by aligning a first section of the suture in the first groove and a second section of the suture in the second groove. After the first and second suture sections are aligned in the grooves, the proximal ends of the sections may be pulled for applying tension to the suture.

Abstract: A system for examining a colon includes a catheter, such as a rectal catheter, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter, and a flexible tube coupled with the catheter. The system includes a first balloon located adjacent a distal end of the flexible tube, and a second balloon extending around the catheter and being located between the distal and proximal ends of the catheter, whereby the distance between the first and second balloons is adjustable by sliding the flexible tube through the central lumen of the catheter. The first and second balloons are inflatable for isolating a section of a colon, and a gas or contrast agent may be introduced into the isolated colon section for conducting the examination.

Abstract: A hemostat comprises a non-porous patch made of a bio-resorbable tissue compatible material, said patch having a tissue-facing surface and a top surface; an optional hemostatic agent that is disposed on said tissue-facing surface or optionally dispersed throughout said patch or optionally as a separate carrier layer, and at least one aperture or slit that penetrates said patch at least partially from said tissue-facing surface to said top surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring paravalvular leakage from a prosthetic heart valve in vitro. The apparatus has a pulse chamber pressure vessel and a pulsatile pump. The sewing ring of a prosthetic heart valve is mounted to a mounting member which is affixed to the pressure chamber, and paravalvular leakage from the heart valve is collected and measured.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring paravalvular leakage from a prosthetic heart valve in vitro. The apparatus has a pulse chamber pressure vessel and a pulsatile pump. The sewing ring of a prosthetic heart valve is mounted to a mounting member which is affixed to the pressure chamber, and paravalvular leakage from the heart valve is collected and measured.

Abstract: A device for tensioning barbed sutures used for securing tissue or prosthetic devices includes a handle, and a shaft having a proximal end connected with the handle and a distal end remote therefrom. The distal end of the shaft includes a pressure applying surface for pressing against the tissue and the prosthetic devices. The tensioning device includes a pair of grooves extending through the shaft from the pressure applying surface at the distal end of the shaft toward the proximal end of the shaft. A barbed suture is tensioned by aligning a first section of the suture in the first groove and a second section of the suture in the second groove. After the first and second suture sections are aligned in the grooves, the proximal ends of the sections may be pulled for applying tension to the suture.

Abstract: A system for examining a colon includes a catheter, such as a rectal catheter, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter, and a flexible tube coupled with the catheter. The system includes a first balloon located adjacent a distal end of the flexible tube, and a second balloon extending around the catheter and being located between the distal and proximal ends of the catheter, whereby the distance between the first and second balloons is adjustable by sliding the flexible tube through the central lumen of the catheter. The first and second balloons are inflatable for isolating a section of a colon, and a gas or contrast may be introduced into the isolated colon section for conducting the examination.