Abstract: A surgical fastener, such as a stapler, is constructed of a pair of opposed jaws, one of which comprises an anvil and the other of which holds the fastener holder assembly, such as a cartridge, oriented towards the anvil. A clamp bar operable by a lever is longitudinally displaceable to advance the cartridge towards the anvil to clamp the subject matter prior to fastening. The clamp bar rides within a frame which supports the lever and the jaws. A thrust bar is longitudinally displaceable in response to the pivoting of a trigger to operate staple pushing elements within the cartridge to eject the fasteners towards the anvil for engagement with body tissue to be fastened. The thrust bar rides within the clamp bar. A pin is inserted between ends of the jaws to secure the jaws against loss of any portion of the body tissue during the clamping procedure. The pin has a cam surface which moves during a securing of the pin. A lockout system is provided for preventing both clamping and ejection of the fasteners, e.g.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed for ablation of organs or parts of organs or for generally cutting and applying surgical clips to the organ or body tissue. The instrument includes an elongated body having a pair of pincer jaws connected to the distal end, one jaw being fixed, and the other jaw being pivotally mounted at its proximal end for movement toward and away from the fixed jaw for gripping body tissue therebetween. A camming tube is provided for retaining the jaws in the closed position to firmly grip tissue. The instrument includes a knife for cutting the organ, and a tool which carries a cam for propelling suture clips into the tissue. The jaws, the knife and the suture clip application tool are all controllable from the proximal end by the surgeon to facilitate remote control when the instrument is inserted into a trocar or other guide tube.

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 bonding agent to attach the needle to the suture.

Abstract: The fascia stapler has a pistol-shaped housing from which two-piece clips can be ejected for closing an incision. The retainers for the clips and the straps for the clips are held in respective cartridges within the nose of the housing and can be ejected individually upon actuation of the stapler. A pusher assembly within the housing causes an individual strap to be expelled for passage through one end of a strap, piercing through the tissue and securement in the other end of the strap. Approximators with tissue engaging teeth are also used to bunch up the tissue about the incision during a stapling operation.

Abstract: A suture is provided with a solid spiroid braid construction. The suture exhibits greater flexibility, better hand and less chatter and drag than tubular braided sutures of known construction.

Abstract: A combined surgical needle-suture device of controlled suture release characteristics and a method for manufacturing the device employ a shrinkable tubing to connect the needle to the suture. The tip of the suture which is connected to the needle possesses a reduced cross section relative to the remainder of the suture, such reduced cross section being capable of rupture by applying an amount of force therto, e.g., a sharp tug, within a predetermined range thus effecting needle separation.

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.

Abstract: The storage stability of a polymeric article susceptible to hydrolytic degradation, e.g., an absorbable suture, is improved by applying a storage stabilizing amount of a mixture comprising at least one water soluble hygroscopic polyhydroxy compound and/or ester thereof, e.g., glycerol, monoacetin, diacetin, and the like, and at least one compound having the general formula ##STR1## and hydreates thereof to the article as storage stabilizing agent, said agent being retained by the article prior to sealing of the enclosure in which the suture is packaged.

Abstract: A combined surgical needle-suture device of controlled suture release characteristics and a method for manufacturing the device employ a shrinkable tubing to connect the needle to the suture. A tensioning force is applied to the device to bring the average force required for the release of the needle from its attached suture to within a predetermined range of average pull-out force.

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 surgical stapler for placing lateral lines of staples and making an incision, all through an endoscopic tube, includes an anvil member which is mounted to the distal end of an elongated housing. A tubular collar disposed around the arm of the anvil member is movable to a distal position to bias the anvil member and a cartridge assembly into cooperative alignment, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened between the anvil member and cartridge assembly.

Abstract: Attachment of a surgical needle to a suture to provide a combined surgical needle-suture device employs a shrinkable tubing possessing a suture cutting edge. 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 tubing thereby severing the suture.

Abstract: The storage stability of a polymeric article susceptible to hydrolytic degradation, e.g., an absorbable suture manufactured from a polymer of glycolic acid, glycolide, lactic acid, lactide or combination thereof, is improved by applying a storage stabilizing amount of at least one water soluble hygroscopic polyhydroxy compound and/or ester thereof, e.g., glycerol, monoacetin, diacetin, and the like, to the article as storage stabilizing agent, said agent being retained by the article prior to sealing of the enclosure in which the suture is packaged.

Abstract: A vacuum bag method for in-situ molding of surgical implants. The method comprises creating an implant precursor material composed of an aggregation of polymer beads coated with a hydrophilic monomer dispersion. A flexible bag containing the implant precursor is molded in-situ to a desired specific shape, and the implant precursor is then rigidified by applying a vacuum to the interior of the bag. The implant precursor is cured by heating to form a unitary porous prosthesis which may be implanted into body tissue to remedy bone defects.

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.