Abstract: A method and apparatus for aspirating fluids from a surgical operating room utilizing a suction head that readily slides along the floor in response to translational forces applied by foot by operating room personnel. The suction head has a flat bottom surface with a plurality of narrow flow channels defined therein between a suction port mouth and the surface periphery. Support ribs, disposed on the top surface in juxtaposed alignment with respective flow channels, impart strength to the suction head and prevent sealing of the flow channels. The suction head is adapted to operate with suction sources commonly available in surgical operating rooms operating through a fluid waste collection chamber. The flow channels conduct fluid to be aspirated while preventing the bottom surface from becoming sealed to the floor.

Abstract: A soft tissue washer for use with a cancellous screw for attaching soft tissue, such as ligaments, to bone has posts disposed on a distal face of a washer body to limit penetration of sharp pins extending from the distal face into soft tissue, an annular recess disposed is the distal face to receive and clamp soft tissue, recess portions deeper than the annular recess disposed in the distal face to relieve compression of soft tissue, a dished recess in a proximal face of the washer body to entirely receive the head of the cancellous screw such that the head does not protrude from the washer and suture retention passages extending from the dished recess to a lateral rim of the washer for receiving sutures.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument includes movable and stationary jaws at a distal end of an elongate probe formed of an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member rotatable therein, a cam and cam follower at the distal end for translating rotary motion of the inner member to pivotal motion of the movable jaw to cut bodily tissue. The stationary jaw has an opening in the bottom thereof to allow cut bodily tissue to exit to a location external of the surgical cutting instrument, and a suction passage along the inner member terminates at a mouth disposed relative to the cam such that the cam contacts and comminutes cut bodily tissue before the tissue enters the mouth and is aspirated through the suction passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing in vivo torn cartilaginous or other bodily tissue, particularly torn meniscus tissue during arthroscopic surgery, employs a repair tack of biodegradable material chosen to have a degradation time in excess of the required healing time for the tissue. The repair tack has a shaft portion with a longitudinal bore and a grip portion adapted for releasable engagement by a hollow applicator. In one embodiment the grip portion of the tack is a cross bar, at the proximal end of the shaft, which fits into an open-sided slot at the forward end of the applicator.

Abstract: A suturing instrument for use in arthroscopic surgery includes a hollow needle for penetrating tissue to be sutured within the body while the tissue is clamped between relatively movable jaws, and a suture feed mechanism for feeding suture material through the hollow needle such that the jaws can be opened and the suturing instrument withdrawn from the body pulling the free end segment of the suture material with the instrument. A knot can be tied in the suture material externally of the body and the knot moved back into the body at a position adjacent the tissue.

Abstract: An electrolyte fluid purging electrosurgical device for use with an electrode holder connected to an electrical power source and to a source of a non-electrically conductive fluid and a method of use are disclosed. The fluid purging electrosurgical device enables electrosurgery at a surgical site where an area proximate the surgical site is surrounded by an electrically conductive fluid such as saline irrigation fluids, body fluids, certain injectables and the like. The fluid purging electrosurgical device comprises an electrode shaft with an electrode shaft connector electrically connecting a first end of the electrode shaft to an electrode holder. An insulating material provides electrical insulation between a second end of the electrode shaft and the electrode holder. The insulating material is positioned on the electrode shaft to expose a portion of the second end of the electrode shaft to define an electrode tip to provide electrical current to the surgical site.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing in vivo torn cartilaginous or other bodily tissue, particularly torn meniscus tissue during arthroscopic surgery, employs a repair tack of biodegradable material chosen to have a degradation time in excess of the required healing time for the tissue. The repair tack has a shaft portion with a longitudinal bore and a grip portion adapted for releasable engagement by a hollow applicator. In one embodiment the grip portion of the tack is a cross bar, at the proximal end of the shaft, which fits into an open-sided slot at the forward end of the applicator.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument having elongate inner and outer tubular members with distal ends cooperating to cut bodily tissue and aspirate the cut bodily tissue through the inner tubular member includes a coating of titanium nitride formed on the inner tubular member by physical vaport deposition to extend from the distal end of the inner tubular member to the proximal end of the inner tubular member such that the titanium nitride coating forms an elongate bearing surface extending along the length of the surgical cutting instrument preventing cocking or skewing of the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member while also preventing galling and possible seizure by distributing or dispersing heat along the surgical cutting instrument.

Abstract: A method of suturing tissue in the body particularly useful in arthroscopic surgery requiring only small incisions or portals for insertion of diagnostic and surgical instruments includes the steps of inserting an instrument in the body having a distal end carrying relatively movable jaws with openings therein, manipulating the jaws to penetrate the tissue to be sutured and to move the jaws to positions adjacent each other with the openings therein aligned, feeding suture material through the openings in the jaws, securing ends of the suture material to form a knot and moving the knot to a position adjacent the tissue.

Abstract: A method for repairing in vivo torn cartilaginous or other bodily tissue, particularly torn meniscus tissue during arthroscopic surgery, employs a repair tack of biodegradable material chosen to have a degradation time in excess of the required healing time for the tissue. The repair tack has a shaft portion with a longitudinal bore and a grip portion adapted for releasable engagement by a hollow applicator. In one embodiment the grip portion of the tack is a cross bar, at the proximal end of the shaft, which fits into an open-sided slot at the forward end of the applicator. A needle passes through the hollow applicator and tack bore to project from the distal end of the tack shaft. With the tack supported in the slot and the needle passing through the stem, the needle and tack can be inserted into the joint cavity through a portal in the skin or through an insertion cannula.

Abstract: A suturing instrument for use in arthroscopic surgery includes a hollow needle for penetrating tissue to be sutured within the body while the tissue is clamped between relatively movable jaws, and a suture feed mechanism for feeding suture material through the hollow needle such that the jaws can be opened and the suturing instrument withdrawn from the body pulling the free end segment of the suture material with the instrument. A knot can be tied in the suture material externally of the body and the knot moved back into the body at a position adjacent the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing in vivo torn cartilaginous or other bodily tissue, particularly torn meniscus tissue during arthroscopic surgery, employs a repair tack of biodegradable material chosen to have a degradation time in excess of the required healing time for the tissue. The repair tack has a shaft portion with a longitudinal bore and a grip portion adapted for releasable engagement by a hollow applicator. In one embodiment the grip portion of the tack is a cross bar, at the proximal end of the shaft, which fits into an open-sided slot at the forward end of the applicator. A needle passes through the hollow applicator and tack bore to project from the distal end of the tack shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for introducing a liquid within a material. The apparatus comprises a body member having an internal cavity for receiving a battery. An end member is secured to the body member for supporting a needle guide extending through the end member for slidably receiving a needle. A reciprocal coupling means interconnects the motor and the needle for reciprocating the needle relative to the end member upon rotation of the motor. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the needle for retaining the liquid therein and for enabling the liquid to flow along the needle. The reciprocating needle creates a plurality of perforations in the material enabling the liquid to flow along the needle to enter the perforations. The apparatus is suitable for introducing a liquid pigment into a skin tissue such as introducing a permanent eyeliner into an eyelid.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled electrosurgical generator provides plural ground-isolated and mutually isolated monopolar r-f cutting signals for respective surgical pencils to permit plural surgeons to use the same generator while maintaining independent control over output power and mode selection. A bipolar output signal is also isolated from ground and from the monopolar signals so that the removal of the dispersive patient return pad is not required when changing between monopolar and bipolar operation. Adjustment of the r-f cutting signal power level is effected by providing an adjustable d.c. bias level for an output amplifier. The d.c. bias level is derived from an a.c. control signal which is duty-cycle modulated in accordance with selected r-f power level settings.

Abstract: A coupling device is disclosed for attachment to an end of a catheter. The coupling device includes a tubular member having a distal and a proximal portion with the distal portion being insertable within the end of the catheter. An elongate body member having a first and a second end defines a channel which extends between the first and second ends of the body member. The channel receivably supports the proximal portion of the tubular member such that the distal portion of the tubular member extends outwardly from the first end of the body member. A catheter clamp is hingedly secured to the first end of the body member for selectively clamping the end of the catheter around the distal portion of the tubular member.

Abstract: A rotatable surgical tool is disclosed for cutting and removing tissue from a patient. The tool includes an outer tubular member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. An inner tubular member has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion with the distal end portion of the inner tubular member having a cutter. The inner tubular member is rotatably disposed within the outer tubular member enabling the cutter to shear tissue disposed in the vicinity of the distal end portions upon rotation of the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member. A flexible transmission interconnects the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the inner tubular member for transmitting rotational movement from a rotary power source to the cutter.

Abstract: A vacuum sleeve is disclosed for removing severed tissue from a surgical site. The vacuum sleeve is used in conjunction with a surgical appliance having a cutting element and the vacuum sleeve is connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum sleeve includes an elongated body member having a distal and a proximal end. The body member defines an internal passageway which extends between the distal and proximal ends of the body member. The internal passageway removably receives therein the surgical appliance and the distal end of the body member defines a aperture such that when the surgical appliance is disposed within the internal passageway, the cutting element of the surfical appliance extends through the aperture thereby enabling the cutting element to sever tissue from the surgical site.

Abstract: An improved electrosurgery electrode is disclosed for cooperation with an electrode holder connected to a source of electrical power. The improved electrode comprises a solid electrode shaft having a first and a second end with a shaft connector electrically connecting the first end of the electrode shaft to the electrode holder. An electrode tip is disposed on the second end of the shaft with the electrode tip having a hook terminating in a distal end extending generally perpendicular to an axis extending through the electrode shaft. A shaft insulator provides a waterproof electrical insulation between an exposed portion of the electrode tip and the shaft connector. The shaft connector may optionally enable removal or interchange of the electrodes in the electrode holder to accommodate for various types of electrosurgery techniques such as a subcutaneous lateral release or a meniscectomy procedure through an arthroscopic system.