Abstract: A modular system is described for construction of fluid applicators for open or endoscopic surgery from modular components. Lengths of tubing of various lengths, and devices to be carried by said tubing, are pre-fitted with standard adapters to mate with each other, thereby forming cannula sections and applicator sections. Interconnectors may also be provided, particularly for provision of articulation. The tubing is preferably rigid, but may also be either flexible or permanently bendable. A device can then be constructed by selection of a suitable set of tubing lengths, adapters and applicators. Devices customizable for particular uses can be created with minimal expense. The system is especially suitable for delivery of fluids to tissue in endoscopic or other minimally invasive surgical procedures. Delivery of fluids forming structure at a tissue site, especially as a hydrogel, is a preferred use of the devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus for delivering a liquid or gel-like surgical material to a target site within a body cavity. The apparatus is characterized in part by an elongated structural member adapted for engagement with a conventional syringe and cannula assembly. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, devices of the invention further comprise a highly flexible applicator tip which permits application of the surgical material at variable delivery angles and even against gravity. Methods also are disclosed for applying the surgical material to the target site using. devices of the present invention.

Abstract: An anastomosis device is provided for making connections between various conduits in the body of a patient. The device includes a first assembly that is threaded through the target conduit of the patient to a desired location. The device then pierces the wall of the target conduit and is then attached to an external assembly that is withdrawn through the wall of the target conduit to draw the desired connector and a graft conduit into the desired position along the wall of the target conduit. Thereafter, the first assembly is separated from the connector and graft conduit. In this invention, the connector may be a stent like device, staples or similar components to secure the graft conduit to the desired location along the wall of the target conduit.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable to be used with surgical instruments is provided wherein the cable is temporarily attached to the surgical instrument with which it is used, and mounted in an open design to allow illumination to a wider portion of the targeted area such that an entire surgical pocket may be illuminated, and the cables provided can be disposable without requiring permanent attachment to an instrument or development of surgical instruments permanently incorporating a light source by providing a plurality of guide members on the surgical instrument so the cable may be threaded through the guides and preferably engaged by at least one of the guides.

Abstract: An illuminated deep pelvic surgical retractor for illuminating a surgical site and retracting tissue adjacent thereto, the illuminated surgical retractor having a handle member interconnected at an obtuse angle to a first elongate section and a second elongate section that is releasably connected to the first elongate section and a portion of the second elongate section defining an illumination input end portion which is optically coupled to a light source so that the second elongate section is substantially illuminated, and, a shield member is positioned adjacent to the distal end portion of the first elongate section to aid in directing light selectively from the second elongate section to the desired tissue or organ.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a predetermined area on a heart or other organ of a patient to enable a surgical procedure, the apparatus comprising a bifurcated member having two elongated prongs and an elongated handle segment pivotably attached to the bifurcated member. The handle segment can be movably attached to a rib retractor or other surgical device so that a person is not required to hold the handle segment. The apparatus may further comprise an attachment or inlay to prevent lateral movement thereof when being used in the surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low profile stabilizer that immobilizes tissue at a surgical site wherein the device includes a stabilizer having a base portion with elongate extending members that surround the sides of an aperture area and a removable end portion which is removable from the base portion and which surrounds the remaining side of the aperture area and wherein the stabilizer is preferably used in combination with a pair of flexible connectors that are threaded through the tissue adjacent to the aperture area to draw the tissue into contact with the aperture area of stabilizer and into contact with a pair of tab members extending from the bottom surface of the stabilizer such that the flow of blood through a blood vessel is occluded by tab members when the flexible connectors are releasably attached to the stabilizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical retractors having improved blades for use, on the retractor and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices used in connection with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures, and more specifically to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices especially configured for use with each other for such surgical procedures wherein the retractor includes a plurality of grooves on the bottom surface thereof and a plurality of blades having a member that is releasably received in the grooves and which also allows for the pivotal movement of the blades relative to the arms of the retractor and further including nesting blades having a third section which is generally linear and second sections which are preferably curved about 180 degrees to allow for the simplified insertion of the blades into the chest incision and the providing for the secur

Abstract: An illuminated retractor for creating a working space for dissecting instruments in support of a surgical procedure such as rectal examination or for the removal of polyps or hemorrhoids or other types of procedures which require the illumination and access to tissue in the rectal area of a patient, the illuminated retractor having a handle member pivotally connected at an obtuse angle to a first cylindrical and elongate section and a second elongate section that is releasably connected to the first elongate section and a portion of the second elongate section defining an illumination input end portion which is optically coupled to a light source so that the second elongate section is substantially illuminated, and, an operating channel extends along the lengthwise dimension of the first elongate section and the operating channel is illuminated by the second elongate section in use.

Abstract: A illuminated surgical retractor for illuminating a subcutaneous surgical field in the space between a vessel, such as the saphenous vein, and the subcutaneous tissue when the illuminated retractor is used to retract the subcutaneous tissue away from the superior surface of the vessel, the illuminated surgical retractor having a handle connected at an acute angle to a distal end of a first blade section, a second blade section that is connected, and substantially co-planer, to the first blade section, a distal end of the second blade section defining an illumination input end, a connector coupled to the illumination input end so that a source of illumination can be optically coupled, via the connector, to the illumination input end so that the second blade section is substantially illuminated, and, alternatively, a bent tip extending from the proximal end of the first blade section to aid in the required dissection of the intervening tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus for delivering a surgical material to a target site within a body cavity. The apparatus is characterized in part by a rod-like member to which a support carrier and a separator layer are attached at a distal end thereof for securing the surgical material therebetween, and an introducer tube for insertion into the body cavity. In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the rod-like member is configured for axial flexibility at a distal end thereof. Methods also are disclosed for applying the surgical material to the target site using the apparatus of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stabilizer that immobilizes tissue at a surgical site wherein the device includes a stabilizer having a base portion with elongate extending members that surround the sides of an aperture area and an end portion which is removable from the base portion and which surrounds the remaining side of the aperture area and wherein the stabilizer is preferably used in combination with a pair of flexible connectors that are threaded through the tissue adjacent to the aperture area to draw the tissue into contact with the aperture area of stabilizer and into contact with a pair of tab members extending from the bottom surface of the stabilizer such that the flow of blood through a blood vessel is occluded by tab members when the flexible connectors are releasably attached to the stabilizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices used in connection with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures, and more specifically to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices especially configured for use with each other for such surgical procedures wherein the retractor includes an external rail system which enables the surgeon to position a curved stabilization arm on either of the arms or the rack segment of the retractor and also includes a connector which releasably controls the rotation of the connector with respect to the retractor and the rotation of the stabilization arm with respect to the retractor as well as the rotational and sliding movement of a curved stabilization arm with respect to the connector upon actuation of a single knob or actuator.

Abstract: A illuminated surgical retractor for illuminating a subcutaneous surgical field in the space between a vessel, such as the saphenous vein, and the subcutaneous tissue when the illuminated retractor is used to retract the subcutaneous tissue away from the superior surface of the vessel, the illuminated surgical retractor having a handle connected at an acute angle to a distal end of a first blade section, a second blade section that is connected, and substantially co-planer, to the first blade section, a distal end of the second blade section defining an illumination input end, a connector coupled to the illumination input end so that a source of illumination can be optically coupled, via the connector, to the illumination input end so that the second blade section is substantially illuminated, and, alternatively, a bent tip extending from the proximal end of the first blade section to aid in the required dissection of the intervening tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to suture organizing device for use with surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to a suture organizing device that is attachable to surgical retractors used in connection with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures and heart valve procedures, and more specifically to a suture organizing device having a plurality of suture slots thereon for the releasable attachment of sutures thereto during a surgical procedure to enable the surgeon to retract tissue from the surgical field and wherein the suture organizing device is oriented to extend laterally of the outer surface of the arms of the surgical retractor.

Abstract: Featured is a pressure control regulator including a housing, a sealing member disposed within the housing, a flexible member and a biasing mechanism. The housing includes at least one inlet aperture and at least one outlet aperture, each inlet aperture being fluidly coupled to a first pressure source and each outlet aperture being fluidly coupled to a second pressure source, the first and second pressure sources being at different pressures. The flexible member extends between the sealing member outside surface and the housing inner surface so as to form a pressure boundary therebetween and to divide the housing interior into first and second compartments. The biasing mechanism, being responsive to pressure within the second compartment, acts on the sealing member so the sealing member is in one of an open position, when the second compartment is greater than a predetermined pressure value, or a closed position, when the second compartment pressure is at or below the predetermined pressure value.

Abstract: An illuminated rectal retractor for creating a working space for dissecting instruments in support of a surgical procedure such as rectal examination or for the removal of polyps or hemorrhoids or other types of procedures which require the illumination and access to tissue in the rectal area of a patient, the illuminated retractor having a handle member pivotally connected at an obtuse angle to a first cylindrical and elongate section and a second elongate section that is releasably connected to the first elongate section and a portion of the second elongate section defining an illumination input end portion which is optically coupled to a light source so that the second elongate section is substantially illuminated, and, an operating channel extends along the lengthwise dimension of the first elongate section and the operating channel is illuminated by the second elongate section in use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to suture organizing and retaining device for use with surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to a suture organizing device that is attachable to surgical retractors or is usable separately in connection with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures and heart valve procedures, and more specifically to a suture organizing device having a plurality of suture slots thereon for the releasable attachment of sutures thereto during a surgical procedure to enable the surgeon to retract tissue from the surgical field and wherein the suture organizing device is oriented to extend laterally of the outer surface of the arms of the surgical retractor or in combination with a base member that may be independently positioned adjacent to the surgical site.

Abstract: Featured is a device for holding spools, tube-shaped devices with various cross-section configurations, and cylindrical devices with recessed ends such as surgical suture spools and a means of manufacturing the device, wherein the device provides greater stability to the spool, tube-shaped device or cylindrical device with recessed ends and the means of manufacture does not require any major modifications to the current packaging process for the spool, tube-shaped device and cylindrical device alone. Moreover, when the device is a holder and dispenser for armed surgical sutures, the surgical suture needle is visible and readily accessible.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a predetermined area on a heart or other organ of a patient to enable a surgical procedures the apparatus comprising a bifurcated member having two elongated prongs and an elongated handle segment pivotally and rotatably attached to the bifurcated member. The handle segment can be movably attached to a rib retractor or other surgical device so that a person is not required to hold the handle segment. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention further comprises a device to lock or fictionally hold the bifurcated member in a desired position both on the organ and relative to the handle segment during the surgical procedure.