Abstract: An endoscopic loop including an applying instrument comprises a pre-knotted loop of surgical suture material and a hollow shaft in the interior space of which the free thread portion runs. The free thread portion extends at least up to the proximal end of the shaft. In the interior space an actuating mechanism is mounted, the proximal end of which essentially extends up to the proximal end of the shaft. At the distal end of the actuating means a knife is attached which cuts the free thread portion upon actuation of the device.

Abstract: An articulable assembly is provided for an endoscopic instrument along with a surgical fastener track therefor. The assembly includes a distal end portion for supporting an end effector to effect tissue manipulation while carrying out a surgical procedure within a body cavity. The assembly includes an articulable joint connecting an elongate support housing with the distal end portion. The joint includes a hollow socket and a convex member that is received in the socket. The convex member defines a passageway for accommodating an actuator extending from the housing through the joint to actuate the end effector. An operator is provided on the housing and extends to the socket or convex member for moving the distal end portion into and out of alignment with the housing. A flexible track is provided for guiding fasteners through the joint.

Abstract: An endoscopic inspection closure is described which has a guide device preventing the puncture incision created by a trocar obturator and cannula from closing and a closure device which fits within the guide device. The closure device is removable after the initial endoscopic operation, for observation of healing and introduction of endoscopic surgical instruments.

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 a slot which conforms to the geometry of the 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. A valve is located at the proximal end of the trocar tube to seal the end of the tube. The valve is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the trocar tube. The valve is controllable by an external lever which will hold the valve open or permit it to spring shut. An incremental advancement mechanism cooperates with the obturator to permit only incremental advance of the obturator. Instead of using a discrete shield component the shielding function may be provided by spring-loading the trocar tube itself to spring forward and shield the obturator tip after the tip penetrates tissue.

Abstract: A novel surgical instrumentation kit is provided. There is a sterile reloading unit package in this kit. These reloading units or other separate packages may be maintained in their own sterile environment. Further, the ability of the surgeon to transfer from an endoscopic procedure to an open procedure is provided. Finally, there is described a novel package which allows the surgeon to rapidly open the tray and remove from it a surgical drape containing the instrumentation of the above-described kit.

Abstract: A flexible endoscopic surgical port comprises a trocar tube or cannula made partially or entirely of flexible material which can be inserted into a body wall at an intercostal location to allow the insertion and manipulation of endoscopic surgical instruments within the thoracic cavity. The surgical port includes a hollow tubular body which is inserted through an intercostal opening in the body wall extending into the thoracic cavity with an annular flange at one end of the tubular body projecting radially outward and engaging the body wall adjacent to the opening. The flange is able to flex relative to the tubular body whereby the surgical instrument inserted in the tubular body can be manipulated over a wide range of motion inside the thoracic cavity. A retainer ring can be installed at the end of the tubular body opposite to the flange to secure the surgical port in the body wall. Improved obturators are provided for installation of the flexible surgical port.

Abstract: A reducer for trocar cannulae includes a covering cap which can be secured on the handle of a cannula and which has a socket engaging with a distal end to the handle provided for the shaft of operating instruments. The proximal end face of the socket is sealed off via a wall provided with at least two openings. Seals for shafts of operating instruments of smaller diameter are allocated to the openings.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical system which includes an instrument for carrying out a step in the procedure. The instrument is power operated and the system includes sensing means to control the operation of the instrument.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument for the application of ligature binders and a ligature are described. A base body and an actuation part of a handle part are longitudinally displaceable relative to each other against an elastic force within a fixed range. Connected to the actuation part is an actuation rod at whose distal end a first ratchet heat is secured. A shaft, firmly connected to the base body, carries a second ratchet head at its distal end. With the help of the ratchet heads, which are matched to the toothed end zone of a ligature binder, a ligature can be drawn together. A ligature whose end zone has already been inserted into the endoscopic instrument prior to the operation can be brought into a closed shape with the help of a constricted zone in its binding part and of a longitudinal slot in its headpiece.

Abstract: A flexible cannula consists of a flexible tube, whose distal zone is introducible into the inside of the body through a trocar puncture point, and a top piece. The top piece is divided into a housing which is flat when seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cannula and which is secured at the proximal end of the tube and contains a closure device and a flexible intermediate tube which, starting from the proximal end wall of the housing, extends along the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

Abstract: A tray is described herein for holding and displaying a number of surgical instruments. Each of these instruments have a handle and contain an elongated shaft extending from the handle. The shaft itself defines a longitudinal axis. The tray contains a base defining a first plane for supporting the shafts of the instruments. There is further described a handle holding portion extending from the base. The handle holding portion contains a first side wall attached to the base and a bottom for holding the handle extending from the first side wall. The bottom defines a second plane. The first and second planes are not parallel. A package which holds the tray of this invention has a first surface which supports the base and a second surface which supports the bottom of the handle portion. Ideally, there is also a third surface extending from the base. The first and third surfaces are co-planar and capable of supporting the package and the tray containing the instruments.

Abstract: Described herein is a minimally invasive surgical instrument comprising an elongate tubular section including a tubular portion and an end effector mount having first and second mount portions and a wrist mechanism associated with the first and second mount portions for permitting adjustment of the angular orientation of the first mount portion relative to the second mount portion. The tubular portion is pivotably connected to a proximal end of the second mount portion. First and second end effectors are further provided and are pivotably connected to a distal end of the first mount portion. Also provided is an actuator mechanism connected to the first and second end effectors for effecting pivotable movement of the first and second end effectors.

Abstract: The invention provides a needle holding arrangement for only the gripping of a needle within the body cavity. There is provided a suture fixing means for gripping or fixing a suture with a needle on an outer peripheral surface of the needle-holder shaft. After piercing and passing of the needle through the tissue in the body, a knot of the suture can be made within the body cavity, and saturation and ligation of tissues in the body and end closure and ligation of blood vessel and gall duct can also be performed.

Abstract: A method of tissue compression is disclosed herein where the device to cause such compression is composed of a fastener bar and receiver. The device has the capability to self-adjust to tissues of varying thicknesses to cause hemostasis. This tissue gap variability allows for compression of regions of tissue where thick and thin tissue are both present. This variability also enables the same device to be used on a wide variety of tissues of different thicknesses. The tissue fastener bar of this invention contains a series of cut-out portions which distribute the compressive forces along the device in an alternating, staggered manner. The receiver is of a generally U-shaped configuration with the fastener bar being contained at least partially within the U-shape. Compression occurs between the side walls of the receiver and the fastener bar and variability in gap is accomplished by flexure of the side walls of the receiver.

Abstract: An easy open container which is also child resistant provides for a cap for attachment to the container. The cap contains an indent for retaining the cap on the base. On the neck of the container there is contained a lip which retains the indent thereon so that the cap is child resistant. In addition, the cap is also easy to open in that extending from the cover portion of the cap is a flange, which provides for an easy to grip mechanism so that an arthritic user is able to grip the cap and align the detent with a discontinuity in the lip.

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. The package includes at least one sterile overwrap member and one non-sterile overwrap member.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument is disclosed which is particularly facilitated for grasping the anvil portion of an circular surgical stapling device. The present instrument includes a generally elongated shaft, with a pair of cooperating jaw members disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The jaw members cooperate in a pincer-like action for gripping the anvil portion of the associated surgical stapler therebetween. The jaw members include cooperating jaw portions, each of which defines a semi-cylindrical gripping surface. The jaw portions are angularly disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the associated shaft, and are otherwise configured to facilitate gripping and manipulation of the anvil portion of the surgical stapling device, as well as tissue manipulation.