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 fastener for securing adjacent layers of body tissue to each other and being configured and composed of a material so as to emerge from the body tissue after a limited period of time. The fastener includes a backspan and at least two prongs extending from the backspan. Each prong has a tapered tip culminating in a sharp point. The prongs each include a shaft having a cylindrical portion of uniform diameter. In one embodiment the prong includes a serrated portion having a plurality of notches spaced apart so as to define ridge portions therebetween.

Abstract: An improved surgical stapling apparatus containing a locking mechanism to prevent reactuation of the apparatus, the locking mechanism comprising a resilient clip having a hook which is engagable with a locking notch on the cam bar retainer. The resilient clip is initially held in a non-engagable position by means of a movable chock. When the stapler is actuated for the first time, the cam bar retainer pushes the chock into a subsequent position where the chock no longer blocks the resilient clip. The resilient clip then moves to a position where the hook is engagable with the locking notch. Once the cam bar retainer is retracted it can no longer be reactuated.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical clips through an endoscopic tube includes an endoscopic portion housing a jaw blade, a pusher bar for feeding clips one at a time to the jaws, a channel bar for camming the jaw blades into closed position, and an array of surgical clips. The body of the apparatus comprises a frame housing an actuating mechanism and a transmission mechanism for transferrring movement to the pusher bar and channel. The endoscopic portion is rotatable relative to the frame. In one embodiment the apparatus is single disposable unit. In an alternative embodiment the endoscopic portion is detachable and disposable whereas the non-endoscopic body portion is reusable.

Abstract: An instrument for cutting body tissue and applying a plurality of two part surgical fasteners to the body tissue on each side of the cut. The instrument includes a U-shaped distal portion, and a body having a longitudinal portion for enclosing an axial drive means for pushing fasteners into position in the body tissue. The axial drive means is off-centered from the fastener pushing means in the fastener cartridge at the U-shaped distal portion. A trigger operated diverter is provided with a unique system of force conversion and transmission for converting a single off-centered axial drive force to a uniformly distributed drive force for pushing the fastener pushers, and the knife assembly.

Abstract: A suture retainer is provided with an arrangement of suture-retaining tabs of complex configuration and needle-retaining tabs of a number and distribution which enable the retainer to accommodate any one of several types of combined surgical suture-needle devices.

Abstract: Attachment of a surgical needle to a capped suture to provide a combined surgical needle-suture device employs a shrinkable tubing a suture cutting edge. The cap on the suture possesses a suture cutting edge such that separation of the needle from the suture can be achieved when desired by bringing the suture to bear under tension against the cutting edge of the cap thereby severing the suture.

Abstract: A combined surgical needle-suture device and a method for manufacturing the device employ a shrinkable tubing to connect the needle to a suture possessing a weakened segment. Separation of the needle from the suture is achieved by providing a weakened suture segment and applying a rupturing force to the suture within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A surgical skin fastener with inwardly biased prongs. The fastener comprises a backspan, horizontal arms, and at least two prongs, each prong having at least one inwardly pointing barb. The prongs are resiliently biased inward for holding adjacent edges of body tissue in close contact.

Abstract: A combined surgical needle-suture device of controlled suture release characteristics and a method for manufacturing the device employ a shrinkable tubing and a suture having an expandable tip region to connect the needle to the suture.

Abstract: A disposable apparatus is disclosed for applying surgical clips to body tissue in endoscopic surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a frame which is adapted to be gripped by hand, and an endoscopic section permanently connected to the handle and capable of storing surgical clips in preparation for clipping arteries or other body tissue. The apparatus includes means for advancing each clip sequentially to a pair of distal jaws and means for closing the jaws about the clip. When the jaws are closed, the clip advancing means is simultaneously positioned to advance the next clip. When all clips are spent the apparatus becomes automatically locked against further advancement of the clip advancing means as well as further closing of the clip closing jaws. The present apparatus also makes it possible to partially close a clip without interfering with the sequential movement of the clip advancing mechanism.

Abstract: A packaging unit for an endoscopic ligating loop instrument includes a molded instrument holding member and a cover member.