Abstract: A package tray for arthroscopic H-fastener needles. The tray has a flexible base member having a central opening, and proximal and distal needle mounting members extending form the base member having slits and undercut engagement members for receiving and retaining the needles.

Abstract: A package for sutures having a winding channel. The package has a base member and a cover member that is mounted to the base member. A plurality of cantilieverd doors cover the winding channel.

Abstract: A suture anchor for attaching soft tissue to bone. The anchor has a body member and a longitudinal axis. The anchor contains at least two suture mounting passages for mounting suture to the anchor. A first passage is located proximally to the second passage.

Abstract: A surgical tack for use in surgical procedures. The surgical tack has a base member and a distally extending spiral member having a distal piercing point. The spiral member forms a spiral. The tack may be used to fasten tissue, sutures, or medical devices to tissue.

Abstract: A process for applying a biobarrier member to a vent opening in a foil member used for medical device packaging. The process provides for cutting a biobarrier member from a roll of stock and sealing the biobarrier member about the vent opening in the foil member. The seal is tested for integrity and the biobarrier member is tested for porosity.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing wire or needles having a taper point and mechanically drilled suture mounting holes in the proximal ends. Needle or wire blanks are cut from a roll of wire and mounted to a carrier strip. The carrier strip and needles are moved through a succession of forming and trimming and grinding stations. The blanks are coined in a coining die to produce lateral wings of constant thickness. The blanks are preferably rotated in the strip while being ground. The strip and needle blanks are then moved to a bank of at least two drills wherein the proximal suture mounting ends of the needles are drilled.

Abstract: In a process for coating surgical needles, a leveling coat is applied to a surface of a surgical needle in one step or in several steps to fill in and/or level out surface roughness A slip coating is applied to the leveling coat

Abstract: A package tray for arthroscopic H-fastener needles. The tray has a flexible base member having a central opening, and proximal and distal needle mounting members extending form the base member having slots and undercut engagement members for receiving and retaining the needles. The proximal needle mounting end slot contains a proximal guide member adjacent to the proximal end of the slot.

Abstract: A fastener for fastening a muscle tendon and muscle to a bone. The fastener has a shank designed to be inserted through a tendon and into a channel bored through a bone. A fastening head terminates the shank and is designed to come into abutment against the muscle and muscle tendon to hold the muscle and uscle tendon against the bone. A locking member is designed to cooperate with the shank at the distal end of the shank that emerges from a tunnel in bone in order to lock the shank end fastening head relative to the bone and to the muscletendon and muscle.

Abstract: A surgical attachment device. The device has an elastomeric member which may be bioabsorbable. A tissue engagement means such as a hook is mounted to the elastomeric member. The tissue engagement means may also be bioabsorbable. The device provides tensioned fastening.

Abstract: Apparatus for thermal coagulation having an improved circulation assembly and heating assembly. The apparatus includes a balloon catheter secured to and in fluid communication with a handle for inserting the apparatus into a human uterus. A distensible bladder is secured to the distal end of the catheter and encloses a heating assembly having a tubular core configured with a spiral groove which retains a heating filament. An impeller having at least two blades is positioned distal of the heating assembly and includes a cable having a distal end secured to the impeller. The impeller cable is partially disposed in the handle, in the elongate tubular member and in the core of the heating element, such that axial rotation of said cable rotates the blades of said impeller. During use of the apparatus, the distensible bladder is inflated with a fluid to a desired pressure and rotation of the impeller blades is initiated.

Abstract: A process for blackening the surfaces of a metal alloy surgical needle or a metal alloy surgical instrument. The process consists of exposing the surfaces of a metal alloy surgical needle or surgical instrument to a gaseous plasma for a sufficient amount of time to effectively blacken the surfaces of the needle or instrument.

Abstract: A continuous process for electropolishing surgical needles. Surgical needles are mounted to an electrically conductive carrier strip. The carrier strip and needles are then moved continuously through an electropolishing bath and the needles are maintained in the bath for a sufficient period of time to effectively polish the needles.

Abstract: A packaging for surgical suture material has a stuck-on label (3). The label (3) has a main section (10) provided on the back with contact adhesive, and a transfer part (12) which is punched out of the main section (10) and the back of which, likewise provided with contact adhesive, is stuck onto a first protective paper. The edge region of the first protective paper extends beyond the edge (14) of the transfer part (12) and is stuck by means of the contact adhesive to the back of the main section (10). The surface area of the first protective paper is smaller than that of the label (3).

Abstract: A flexible implant (1) with a cylinder-like basic form has near its first end (2) an eye-like opening (3), the axis (4) of which runs transversely to the cylinder axis. The implant (1) can be closed to a ring form by guiding the second end (6) through the opening (3), and is thus suitable in particular for the treatment of reflux oesophagitis and/or axial hiatus hernia.

Abstract: A package for a surgical suture reel. The package has a substantially flat base member with a mounting tab formed therein by an arcuate slit. The mounting tab has a central opening and a plurality of radial slits surrounding the opening forming engagement members.

Abstract: A taper point surgical suture needle. The suture needle is an elongated member having a proximal suture mounting end and a distal piercing point. The elongated member has a first tapered region adjacent to the piercing point having a taper ratio of about 12:1. The member also has a second tapered region adjacent to the first tapered region having a taper ration of from about 6:1 to about 11:1. And, the member additionally has a third region adjacent to the second tapered region having a taper ratio of at least about 12:1.

Abstract: A surgical tack for use in surgical procedures. The surgical tack has a base member and a distally extending spiral member having a distal piercing point. The spiral member forms a spiral. The tack may be used to fasten tissue, sutures, or medical devices to tissue.

Abstract: A package for a suture anchor and attached suture. The package has on a top side a suture channel covered by door members. The bottom side of the package has a suture anchor mounting chamber and channel as well as a needle park for surgical needles.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for treating body tissue using controlled application of heat includes a control unit providing electrical power to a bipolar electrode positioned within an expandable member filled with conductive fluid. Electrical power applied to the bipolar electrode by the control unit causes current to pass from the active electrode, into the conductive fluid, and to the return electrode, thereby heating the conductive fluid. The temperature of the conductive fluid is monitored by the control unit, and power is increased and decreased in accordance with a comparison of the monitored temperature against the desired temperature range. The control unit also includes a pressure sensor for regulating the pressure in the bladder. Pressure and temperature displays and other operator controls are located on the control unit.