Abstract: A surgical needle is attached to a spiroid braided suture to provide a combined surgical needle-spiroid braided suture device. A shrinkable tubing is employed to secure the needle to the suture. The tubing shrinks in response to the application of energy, e.g., heat. Attachment parameters may be controlled to provide standard needle attachment or removable needle attachment.

Abstract: A reel-type surgical suture dispenser features an extension member on the suture reel receptacle, there being positioned upon the extension member an upwardly projecting suture-retaining slotted member which facilitates dispensing of the suture and retaining thereon the terminal section of a length of suture withdrawn from the reel.

Abstract: A pair of dies is disclosed for attaching a surgical needle having a generally cylindrical end portion defining an elongated aperture having a generally circular cross-section and a suture having a generally elongated end portion of generally circular cross-section corresponding in dimension to the elongated aperture of the first needle. Each die has a pair of extensions spaced apart from each other and defines a generally circular crimping surface portion corresponding in dimension and configuration to the generally cylindrical outer surface portion of the needle.

Abstract: A package is provided for a combined surgical suture-needle device featuring a peelable, or strippable, closure flap.

Abstract: A package for surgical sutures and suture-needle assemblies which includes a series of panels foldable about each other to enclose the sutures in an unfolded and elongated condition.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for use in conjunction with insufflatory surgical techniques includes a cannula, a housing mounted on one end of the cannula, and a flapper valve mounted in the housing. The flapper valve includes a valve seat which is situated at an opening formed in the housing, a valve plug which is adapted to engage the valve seat to form a substantially gas tight seal with the valve seat, and a support plate on which the valve plug is mounted and which is biased to pivot the plug into and out of engagement with the valve seat. The valve plug is movable on the support plate so as to be self-aligning with the valve seat when the plug and valve are in engagement. The valve plug is uniquely configured to include a recessed reservoir at the proximal side and surrounded by a circular ridge.

Abstract: A needle-suture combination is provided. A shrinkable tubing is employed to secure the needle to the suture. The tubing shrinks in response to heat. Suture materials which are heat labile are desensitized prior to tubing attachment to preserve the integrity of the suture material. Attachment parameters may be controlled to provide standard needle attachment or removable needle attachment.

Abstract: An absorbable coating composition useful for coating sutures, said absorbable coating composition comprising a copolymer derived from (i) the copolymerization of a polyalkylene glycol, glycolide monomer and lactide monomer or (ii) the copolymerization of a polyalkylene glycol and a copolymer of lactide and glycolide and multifilament sutures coated with same.

Abstract: A package is disclosed for containing a plurality of combined surgical suture devices, particularly of the double armed type having a pledget and used for cardiovascular surgical procedures. A backing panel has a protective cover adhesively affixed to one side and defines a plurality of straight elongated suture tracks for reception of the flexible suture portion therein. An aperture is positioned at each end of each track to facilitate reception of the flexible suture portion into the track and drawing a vacuum therein to assist drawing the flexible suture portion into the track. Preferred embodiments include separate features such as a foam needle park or an end flap configured to support the suture needles beneath tabs. Still another embodiment includes and end flap which defines pockets to receive the needles. A method for packaging such sutures is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-panel suture retainer provides ready access to, and removal of, a quantity of stored combined surgical needle-suture devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for performing circular anastomosis on body portions, such body portions preferably include at least one tubular organ such as intestines, colons, or the like. The apparatus includes an annular crown-like structure which includes a plurality of elongated sharp resilient members positioned and adapted to pierce and secure the tubular body part in position for attachment to the other body part. An anvil for providing closure in such circular anastomosis and a method of performing such circular anastomosis are also disclosed. A unique anvil for performing such procedures with staples is also disclosed.

Abstract: The end-to-end anastomosis apparatus is provided with a mounting means which can receive a trocar for making holes in tissue and, subsequently, an anvil shaft for the mounting of an anvil assembly for stapling purposes. The anvil shaft is provided with splines which cooperate with splines on a shell liner within the housing of the apparatus to align the buckets on the anvil assembly with the staples in a cartridge secured in the apparatus. In addition, the anvil assembly is provided with a spring for locking of the anvil housing on the anvil shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for substantially simultaneously applying a plurality of two-part absorbable surgical fasteners to body tissue which includes biasing means to pivot the fastener holder into a final open position to release the body tissue. The biasing means is operable only after the fasteners have been applied.

Abstract: Attachment of a surgical needle to a suture to provide a combined surgical needle-suture device employs a shrinkable tubing possessing a controlled suture separation feature.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for sealing an inner pouch containing surgical instruments and/or elements in an outer breather pouch is provided. The method involves sequentially transporting a series of open inner pouches contained in an outer breather pouch to a viewing station wherein positioning data is obtained concerning the precise location of the inner pouch relative to a base position. Thereafter positioning data is transmitted to a sealing apparatus which adjustably positions a sealing means to consistently seal the inner pouch through the outer pouch material. The apparatus includes viewing mechanisms for determining the position of an inner pouch disposed in an outer pouch relative to a base position. Adjustable sealing apparatus communicates with the viewing mechanism to receive positioning information relating to the inner pouch. Based on this information the viewing apparatus is adjusted so as to be able to effect accurate sealing of the inner pouch disposed within the outer pouch.

Abstract: Tweezers or forceps, in particular coagulation forceps, comprising two forcep arms which each have a free gripping end and which delimit a slit-like space, preferably tapering from the gripping ends in the rest position, and which can be moved resiliently towards each other and which extend from a common closed zone, and a gripping element, is to be produced in a simple and inexpensive manner and is to provide a variety of uses. For that purpose the forceps comprise at least two shaped parts which subdivide the closed zone in the longitudinal direction and which are connected together with their inside surfaces bearing against each other. In addition the forceps are to be divided on their longitudinal axis and each of the shaped parts which are preferably of the same configuration comprise one half of both forcep arms.

Abstract: A vascular clamp assembly includes a peripheral frame having an open central area, a support bar mounted on the frame, and a pair of clamps that are slidably mounted on the support bar. Each clamp includes an upper jaw member, a lower jaw member and a tension adjustor plate. The upper jaw member is pivotally mounted on the lower jaw member in a longitudinally overlying relationship with the lower jaw member. The tension adjustor plate is pivotally mounted to the lower jaw member and slidably engageable with the upper jaw member so that the plate may be wedged between the upper and lower jaw members in selectable positions. Each clamp also includes a pair of blades which are disposed in overlying relationship and which are relatively positionable, in accordance with the position of the tension adjustor plate, so that they can receive between them and engage a blood vessel and exert on the vessel a selectable holding force.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing foamed, bioabsorbable polymer particles employing a freeze-drying operation.

Abstract: A method for needle-suture attachment and needle-suture combinations are provided. A shrinkable tubing is employed to secure the needle to the suture. The tubing shrinks in response to heat. Suture materials which are heat labile are desensitized prior to tubing attachment to preserve the integrity of the suture material. Attachment parameters may be controlled to provide standard needle attachment or removable needle attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for attaching a surgical needle having a generally cylindrical end portion defining an elongated aperture having a generally circular cross-section and a suture having a generally alongated end portion of generally circular cross-section corresponding in dimension to the elongated aperture of the needle. The apparatus includes a pair of dies, each having a generally arcuate surface portion having irregularities including concave portions such that when the cylindrical end portion of the suture is positioned within the aperture of the needle and the dies are positioned about the generally cylindrical end portion of the needle with the surface portions facing the outer surface thereof, the application of inward force to the dies causes the dies to impact the needle and produces inward crimping of the needle so as to attach the needle to the suture.