Abstract: A sealed surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a curved shaft to an actuator handle assembly and incorporates an improved actuator mechanism for transmitting the required operating forces and movements from the actuator handle assembly through the curved shaft to an anvil and staple driver of the stapling head assembly. Various mechanisms for sealing the instrument are disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanism and applier therefor which is capable of inverted anastomosis of two lumens by an absorbable fastener. The fastener is made from two washer-like plate assemblies and a pair of introducers. Each such plate assembly has slots to receive latching prongs protruding from the other plate, and pins to impale tissue. Fastening is done through an applier that causes the pins to pierce the tissue, and causes a knife blade to cut through excess tissue. Fastening is done by attaching fastener halves. Insertion and removal of the fastener and applier optimally is done in an endoscopic procedure through a trocar or through the surgical incision in an open procedure. The system can be used such that the plates can be placed to properly set gaps between and anastomose tissue. The introducer portion will soften intraluminally and be expelled, in about 24 hours. The coupler portion will remain in place for 2-3 weeks, typically, and then fragment and be expelled with the feces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an intraluminal manipulator which extends into a lumen and is operable to position and manipulate the tissue surrounding the lumen as necessary during a medical procedure. The manipulator includes a head, a handle and an interconnecting shaft. A pair of cables extend through the shaft and interconnect the head and handle. Movement of a trigger provided by the handle moves the head, which is formed by a series of articulated links, between generally straight and arched configurations. Movement of the trigger in one direction moves the head from a straightened to an arched configuration, while movement in an opposite direction moves the head from the arched to the straightened configuration. When placed in the straight configuration, the head is insertable into and removable from the lumen. When the head is in the arched configuration, it engages the walls surrounding and defining the lumen and can thereafter be used to manipulate the tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a package with suture material for surgical purposes, especially as an inner package for sterile packaging. A bottom plate (2) displays in its rear zone a rear carrier strip (10) and in the front zone several transverse carrier strips (16, 16') running perpendicular thereto. Needles (32, 32') of needle/thread combinations (30, 30') or the front ends of single threads are held by guide cuts (18) of the transverse carrier strips (16, 16'). The threads (34) are divided into groups, preferably the threads (34) of the needle/thread combinations (30) allocated to a specific transverse carrier strip (16) being separated from the threads of others by intermediate sections (20). The rear zone of the bottom plate (2) is covered by a cover plate (40) and the front zone by a closure plate (48) which is opened during use.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument and sterile clip for ligating the vessel of a mammal. The clip has a pair of legs which are urged apart by the instrument to allow the clip to be placed on the vessel to be ligated.

Abstract: A safety trocar is provided which includes a spring-loaded shield that shields the cutting tip of the obturator after the obturator penetrates tissue. The distal end of the shield is hemispheric in profile and contains slides within cutting tip. The rounded distal end enables the shield to spring forward to shield the cutting tip as soon as the tip perforates the tissue. In other embodiments, positive mechanical means effect shielding. Alternately, the obturator tip is retractable into the cannula or shield, by use of mechanical means such as a spring mechanism.

Abstract: A catheter is provided, adapted to be delivered to a situs in a body passageway by being contained within a sheath. The distal end of the catheter comprises an enlargement which precludes unintended distal motion of the sheath relative to the catheter.

Abstract: An adaptor cap assembly is provided for a trocar, consisting of a base which contains an opening which is the same size as the opening of the trocar cannula handle. There is also a cap integrally attached to the base which contains a gasketing assembly wherein the assembly is of a smaller diameter than the diameter of the trocar cannula handle opening as well as the opening in the base of the adaptor cap assembly. This cap is hingedly attached to the base so that it can be flipped by using the thumb either into or out of alignment with the openings of the trocar cannula handle and the base of the adaptor cap assembly. Thus, this mechanism can be used so that a smaller diameter instrument can be placed within a larger diameter opening (with the adaptor cap in place), or, the adaptor cap can be moved out of place so that a larger diameter mechanism can be inserted within the adaptor cap assembly and into the trocar cannula handle, with both the base and the trocar cannula handle having the same size opening.

Abstract: A sealed surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a curved shaft to an actuator handle assembly and incorporates an improved actuator mechanism for transmitting the required operating forces and movements from the actuator handle assembly through the curved shaft to an anvil and staple driver of the stapling head assembly. Various mechanisms for sealing the instrument are disclosed.

Abstract: A unique hernia repair stapler is described which allows the forming of staples to attach prosthetics to tissue, or to approximate herniated tissue. The staple is useful in endoscopic operations and may be rotatable or stationary. The stapler has a unique forming and electing mechanism; as well, there is the availability of a loading mechanism useful for both cartridges and magazines of staples. An improved staple shape allows for better staple alignment, especially in a multiple load device.

Abstract: Described herein is an endoscopic instrument such as a dissector, scissor or grasper in which there is provided a shaft which defines a longitudinal axis of the instrument. This shaft is able to rotate about the handle portion of the instrument. This mechanism also provides for articulation of the end effectors with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. This articulation is accomplished by causing angulation of the end effector with respect to the shaft. Because driving the cable is accomplished around any such angle, the end effectors continue to be able to operate. There is disclosed herein a locking mechanism which allows the rotational aspect of the device to operate to rotate the entire articulating mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical stapler having a trigger attached to a ratcheting mechanism for preventing the refiring of the stapler trigger with a staple loaded within a forming mechanism. In addition, the mechanism contains driver buffering means to prevent the sharp reduction in opposing force driving formation of a staple. The staples are constantly maintained in proper orientation during transfer from a track to the forming site, and are self-centering on the former, and have an oversized crown so that cold-worked areas on each staple do not hinder forming.

Abstract: A sterile package for endoscopic devices. The package includes a foam member that holds the endoscopic device in a stable position within the package.

Abstract: A limited entry unit dosage package is provided, which mandates the completion of a sequence of steps to access single unit dosages within depressions on the package. The user grips a trapezoidal section of an access tab to expose a finger depression. The user thereafter grips a cover overlying a depression which contains the unit dosage form. This cover is pulled back thereby exposing the unit dosage. This unit dosage is sealed from access by children, as well as sealed from air and liquids.

Abstract: A safety trocar is provided which includes a spring-loaded shield that shields the cutting tip of the obturator after the obturator penetrates tissue. The distal end of the shield is conical in profile and contains a slot which conforms to the geometry of the cutting tip. The obturator tip contains a knife edge blade which extends the length of the cannula inner diameter. Ideally, the knife is made of an amorphous metal, and may be serrated at its edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for determining characteristics of peripheral arterial volume and compliance. A blood pressure cuff is inflated and deflated around a limb of the body and pressure measurements are taken. The volume of air removed from the cuff is determined in a quantifiable manner, such as by expelling air through an orifice of known characteristics or by means of a volume of know characteristics. The detected pressures and volume of air, removed are used to compute oscillation volume, which in turn is used to display arterial capacity and compliance as a function of transmural pressure and time. Arterial capacity may be displayed in terms of arterial radius, arterial cross-sectional area, or arterial volume. A display of these characteristics as a function of pre and post anesthetic administration is particularly useful to the anesthesiologist and surgeon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel needle for expeditiously determining proper insertion of the needle into a patient. A transparent shaft is positioned behind the tip of the needle. Upon insertion of the needle into the vein of a patient, blood is observed in the transparent shaft of the needle. Preferably, the shaft is formed of polyurethane or polycarbonate the needle can be used with an over-the-needle catheter.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate te staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument.