Abstract: A drive mechanism for an endoscopic surgical instrument which has a rotatable drive shaft and a mechanism for translating the rotational force of the shaft for applying fasteners to tissue during endoscopic surgery.

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

Abstract: An improved container which includes means for measuring the amount of material in the container.

Abstract: An improved dispenser box for suture packages. The dispenser is stable and will dispense single or plural packages.

Abstract: A suture package for a suture with attached needle The package allows for removal of the needle and attached suture from the package with a forceps without the user having to touch either the needle or the suture.

Abstract: A sterile package for surgical instruments, the package comprises upper and lower layers sealed about their periphery. A thermal formed tray is positioned between the layers. The thermal formed tray has an outwardly extending flange about its periphery. The flange is disposed between the upper plane and the lower plane of the tray.

Abstract: Elastomeric monofilament surgical sutures are characterized by the following combination of mechanical properties:Yield elongation- from about 2 to 9 percentVisco-elastic elongation- from about 10 to 30 percentYoung's modulus- from about 30,000 to 200,000 psiTensile strength- at least about 40,000 psiKnot strength- at least about 30,000 psiThe sutures are soft and flexible with superior knot typing and knot security properties. The sutures may be prepared from selected elastomeric copolyether/ester polymers which may be melt extruded and drawn to obtain the desired fiber properties.

Abstract: A double-sided, pressure-sensitive, adhesive tape having a release paper on an adhesive surface. The release paper has a plurality of spaced-apart areas that have a lesser degree of adhesive to the adhesive surface than the remaining area of the release paper.

Abstract: Elastomeric monofilament surgical sutures are characterized by the following combination of mechanical properties:______________________________________ Yield elongation from about 2 to 9 percent Visco-elastic from about 10 to 30 percent elongation Young's modulus from about 30,000 to 200,000 psi Tensile strength at least about 40,000 psi Knot strength at least about 30,000 psi ______________________________________The sutures are soft and flexible with superior knot tying and knot security properties. The sutures may be prepared from selected elastomeric copolyether/ester polymers which may be melt extruded and drawn to obtain the desired fiber properties.

Abstract: Non-woven fabrics comprising yarn-like fiber groups of parallel and tightly compacted fiber segments, which groups include fiber segments circumferentially wrapped around at least a portion of the fiber groups. The groups are interconnected at junctures by fibers common to the plurality of such groups.

Abstract: Electrostatic spinning method for producing tubular fibrous structures from fiberizable material wherein the fiberizable material is collected on an electrostatically charged mandrel wherein the fiberizable material takes different paths from the source to the mandrel to produce a structure of smaller diameter fibers randomly oriented, larger diameter fibers and/or bundles of fibers circumferentially oriented and elongated voids circumferentially oriented.

Abstract: A needle-suture combination with reduced diameter portion of the suture being attached to the blunt end of the needle. The maximum diameter of the suture being almost the same but no larger than the diameter of the blunt end of the needle and the reduced diameter portion of the suture having a tensile strength greater than the remainder of the suture. The suture is prepared by winding a monofilament in a helical configuration, heating and drawing a portion of the monofilament to reduce the diameter in the heated drawn portion, and cutting the monofilament to produce a suture that has a reduced diameter at its end.

Abstract: A tubular fibrous structure having smaller diameter fibers randomly oriented and larger diameter fibers and/or bundles of fibers circumferentially oriented. The structure includes elongated voids also generally circumferentially oriented.

Abstract: A sterile surgical needle having a dark, non-reflective and non-flaking surface. The needle is produced by selecting an appropriately shaped needle having the desired degree of sharpness. The needle is treated to activate the surface and then immersed in a solution of sulfuric acid, potassium dichromate and water to form a dark, non-reflective, non-flaking surface. The needle is sterilized to produce a sterile surgical needle of improved visibility.

Abstract: The invention relates to a temporary wound closure for intracorporeal use comprising two strip-shaped sheets which are made from a sewable material coated at least in zones with plastics and whose zones overlapping in the closed condition are provided with interengaging profiled closure strips which can be brought into engagement by a clamping pusher, the strip-shaped sheet which is at the bottom in the closed condition having beneath its profiled closure strip a sealing or underengaging strip extending over the whole closure zone.

Abstract: A fibrous polyurethane medical prosthesis wherein the polyurethane has been at least partially crosslinked with a haloalkylisocyanate.

Abstract: A sterile internal organ fastening device comprising a staple and a receiver. The legs of the staple have a tapered portion terminating in a sharp point with the taper having a specific configuration to minimize penetration forces and reduce trauma and with the receiver protecting the surrounding tissue from the sharp point.

Abstract: An aorto-coronary bypass graft comprising a plate portion and at least one tube portion extending from the plate portion, the opening in the tube portion communicating with a corresponding opening in the plate portion.

Abstract: A disposable infant diaper is provided having a modified "T" configuration with a substantially rectangular absorbent core making the stem of the "T" and breathable fabric making the top of the "T". The breathable fabric is substantially non-yielding in a cross-direction. The closure means are integral inside the top of the "T" which forms the back waistband portion.