Abstract: An apparatus for applying a relatively large number of surgical fasteners to body tissue, application of some fasteners is made to precede application of other fasteners in order to spread out and thereby reduce the peak fastener applying load or force.

Abstract: A surgical stapler including a stapling assembly, an actuator assembly remote from the stapling assembly, and a longitudinal shaft assembly having a longitudinally curved section for connecting the actuator assembly to the stapling assembly and for transmitting the forces and motions required to operate the stapling assembly from the actuator assembly to the stapling assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for ligating and cutting body tissue restrained in the instrument is disclosed. To ligate the tissue, the instrument applies a pair of plastic clips at spaced apart locations on the tissue. The clips are advanced towards the tissue and separated from a pair of clip trains by a clip pusher mechanism operating over a predetermined path. A knife operating over another predetermined path then cuts the tissue between the spaced apart clips. A safety mechanism is actuated by the clip pusher mechanism in the event that a clip is not presented to the pusher mechanism. The safety mechanism, when actuated by the pusher mechanism, directly blocks the path of the knife. A latch mechanism is provided which locks tissue in the instrument to alert the surgeon that the pusher mechanism has jammed at the completion of a ligating and cutting operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for circular surgical stapling of hollow organs comprising an instrument and disposable cartridge assembly. The instrument comprises a housing with a throughbore in which a tube is received for reciprocation by means of a manually operable squeeze handle. A rod reciprocates within the tube by means of a wing nut cooperating with a threaded part of the rod. A two-part disposable cartridge assembly comprised of an anvil-carrying part and a staple-carrying part are detachably mounted on the rod and housing, respectively. Keys are provided to hold the anvil-carrying part and the staple-carrying part in rotational orientation relative to the rod. Mutually coacting stops on the tube and rod determine the extent of reciprocation which is variable in dependence upon the position of the rod which, in turn, is dependent upon the juxtaposition of the anvil-carrying part with the staple-carrying part when the apparatus is closed on tissue preparatory to effecting a circular anastomoses.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying an array of surgical fasteners. The apparatus includes a work transmitting member removably interposable between the member which supplies the fastener applying work and a subset of the fasteners in the array so that the subset can be applied or not applied at the option of the user.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for use in apparatus which applies two spaced apart surgical clips to body tissue and cuts the tissue between the clips. The safety mechanism prevents the tissue from being cut if two clips are not properly positioned in the apparatus for application to the tissue.

Abstract: Surgical fastener applying apparatus including an actuator and a removable surgical fastener containing cartridge. The cartridge fits loosely into a cartridge holder part of the actuator which translates linearly toward or away from an anvil part of the actuator. As the cartridge holder translates toward the anvil, the cartridge is automatically brought into alignment and registration with the anvil.

Abstract: In apparatus including a distal surgical fastener applying assembly operatively connected to a proximal actuator assembly by a longitudinal shaft assembly, the shaft assembly includes an articulation for allowing the fastener applying assembly to be placed in any of a wide range of rotational orientations relative to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: Surgical clip applying apparatus for advancing and closing clips one at a time around body tissue. The apparatus includes a cartridge with a carrier member for an array of clips. When the cartridge is moved distally relative to the apparatus, two pivotally mounted cam followers on the carrier member move toward each other and traverse a pair of jaws on the apparatus. The pivoting of the cam followers causes the distal-most clip to be closed around body tissue. The cam followers and the cartridge then return to their original positions to ready the apparatus for another cycle of operation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for ligating and dividing a tubular vessel. The instrument has two spaced apart channels, each containing surgical ligatures of plastic or plastic-like material. A pusher mechanism associated with each of the channels advances the ligatures along the channels. A cutting mechanism intermediate the two channels is used to divide the tubular vessel. An actuating mechanism is connected to the pusher mechanism and to the cutting mechanism for initiating operation thereof. A sub-housing is associated with each of the channels and is movable with respect to the ligatures and with respect to the cutting mechanism. Ligatures are placed at two spaced apart positions of the tubular vessel to effect ligation. The vessel is divided intermediate the spaced apart ligatures while the vessel is advanced so as to facilitate ejection of the ligatures and prevent stretching of the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical fastener member of an absorbable resinous material is disclosed. The prong or prongs of the fastener member have an increased surface area to volume ratio, giving the fastener an increased rate of absorption in the body. Each prong is formed with a shank having a total surface area which is at least about 25% greater than the total surface area of an equivalent shank of constant circular radial cross section having a volume equal to the volume of the disclosed shank. Also, the ratio of the smaller to the larger of the slenderness ratios about any two perpendicular axes in the radial shank cross section is in the range of from about 0.67:1.0 to 1.0:1.0, along substantially the entire length of the shank. Preferably, the shank has a central core whose radial cross-sectional area is from about 15% to about 50% of the total radial cross-sectional area and a plurality of fins projecting outward from the core and extending substantially longitudinally along substantially the entire length of the shank.

Abstract: In a surgical fastener applying instrument of the type in which the tissue is first clamped by operation of a lever mechanism, a releasable latch is included in the lever mechanism for releasably holding the tissue clamping elements at an intermediate latching position. In this position, the tissue to be fastened is enclosed but not fully clamped by the instrument so that the position of the instrument relative to the tissue can be adjusted without reopening the instrument.

Abstract: Absorbable, substantially amorphous surgical fasteners having good in vivo strength-retaining and absorption characteristics may be made of copolymers of lactide and glycolide made from 70-85% m lactide and 15-30% m glycolide provided the inherent viscosity and glass transition temperature of the copolymers have at least certain minimum values.

Abstract: A surgical fastener holding assembly for use in surgical fastener applying apparatus is removably mounted relative to the remainder of the apparatus by mounting means which allows the fastener holding assembly to both translate and pivot toward the associated anvil member.