Abstract: An aerosol spray device includes a container having first and second fluid reservoirs disposed therein that are divided from one another. The first fluid reservoir holds a first mixture including a first aerosol propellant and a first part of a silicone based topical skin adhesive that is dissolved in the first aerosol propellant. The second fluid reservoir holds a second mixture including a second aerosol propellant and a second part of the silicone based topical skin adhesive that is dissolved in the second aerosol propellant. An aerosol spray dispensing system is connected with the container, which is configured to combine the first and second mixtures to form the silicone based topical skin adhesive and dispense the silicone based topical skin adhesive from the container as an aerosol spray.

Abstract: A disposable dressing forms a compartment around and above a wound site and a volatile antimicrobial compound is allowed to sublimate/evaporate into the compartment. A heating element is included in the dressing, with heat stimulating wound healing and simultaneously accelerating sublimation/evaporation of the antimicrobial compound.

Abstract: A device for application onto wounds with a liquid rapidly polymerizable adhesive for forming skin closure systems, comprising a thin flexible flat porous tape, preferably a mesh, elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a lower side or wound-facing side and an opposing upper side, a periphery, and central portion in immediate vicinity of the axis; said tape coated or impregnated with an initiator or accelerator of polymerization; said tape having a plurality of elongated traces of soluble pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) disposed on the wound-facing side; said traces covering from about 3% to about 50% of area of said tape and extending from the periphery to the central portion of said tape.

Abstract: A system for testing sutures includes a test bench having a rotatable table, a framework supporting the test bench and the rotatable table above a surface, and a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine mounted on the rotatable table. The CPM machine is configured to rotate between a first position in which the CPM machine is upright and located above the rotatable table and a second position in which the CPM machine is inverted and located below the rotatable table. The system includes a fluid supply subsystem for directing an infusion fluid toward the CPM machine, a pump for circulating the infusion fluid in the fluid supply subsystem, a heat exchanger for heating the infusion fluid, a fluid collection tray located below the CPM machine and the rotatable table, and a pressure monitoring subsystem for monitoring a pressure level of the infusion fluid.

Abstract: A method of dispensing surgical fasteners includes providing an applicator instrument having a housing with a cartridge opening, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a firing system disposed within the housing for dispensing surgical fasteners, and an actuator for activating the firing system. The method includes forming a surgical opening in tissue, inserting a distal end of the elongated shaft into the surgical opening, inserting a cartridge containing a plurality of first surgical fasteners into the cartridge opening, and engaging the actuator for dispensing one of the first surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, and an elongated shaft extending from the housing. The elongated shaft has a proximal end secured to the housing, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and a first axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated shaft. Surgical fasteners are disposed in the elongated shaft. The surgical fasteners are stacked at an angle relative to the first axis of the elongated shaft. A distal end cap having a surgical fastener dispensing window is secured to the distal end of the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument has a firing system disposed in the housing, and an actuator coupled with the firing system for activating the firing system to dispense the surgical fasteners through the surgical fastener dispensing window.

Abstract: A method of joining together two tissue layers includes positioning a tissue anchor over a first tissue layer. The tissue anchor includes a plate having top and bottom surfaces, an array of first pins projecting from the bottom surface of the plate that oppose the first tissue layer, and an array of second pins projecting from the top surface of the plate that face away from the first tissue layer. A second tissue layer is placed over the first tissue layer and the tissue anchor so that the second pins oppose the second tissue layer. The second tissue layer is pressed onto the tissue anchor and toward the first tissue layer so that the first pins advance into the first tissue layer and the second pins advance into the second tissue layer for joining together the first and second tissue layers. The plate has second pin apertures and the second pins are free to slide and move independently of one another within the second pin apertures.

Abstract: Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

Abstract: A dispensing device configured to operate with an adhesive backed mesh and backing film for tissue bonding is disclosed. The dispensing device provides for low-friction, low force pay-out of a desired length of an adhesive backed mesh to a wound site. The device prevents or eliminates distortion of the mesh prior to application to the wound site, and includes means for reducing or eliminating binding during use. The dispensing device is configured to operate in a “forward” mode (substrate to which mesh is applied passes beneath applicator after mesh is applied) to provide essentially an unobstructed view of the wound site during use.

Abstract: Novel, lubricious antimicrobial coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The coatings provide improved lubricity and durability and are readily applied in coating processes at low temperatures that do not deform the device and preserves the antimicrobial effectiveness of the antimicrobial agent. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such coatings. The catalyst provides for rapid curing, while inhibiting cross-linking at ambient temperatures, thereby improving the production pot life of the coatings.

Abstract: A trocar includes a shaft having a leading section, a trailing section, a reduced diameter midsection located between the leading and trailing sections, and a longitudinal axis extending along the length of the shaft. The leading section of the shaft has a tapered region that terminates at a blunt tip. The trailing section of the shaft has a connector located at the trailing end thereof. The leading and trailing sections of the shaft having a first diameter and the reduced diameter midsection of the shaft has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter for enabling the shaft to be bent at the reduced diameter midsection. A flexible wound drain catheter having a first end is secured to the connector at the trailing end of the trailing section of the shaft. The flexible wound drain catheter has an outer diameter that matches the first diameter of the leading and trailing sections of the shaft.

Abstract: A system for measuring the diameter of a suture includes a test bench, a first suture clamping assembly slidably mounted to the test bench, and a second suture clamping assembly fixed to the test bench. The system includes a suture diameter gauge slidably mounted to the test bench and located between the first and second suture clamping assemblies for obtaining suture diameter measurements for a suture secured to the clamping assemblies. The system has a rotation assembly coupled with the first and second suture clamping assemblies for simultaneously rotating the first and second suture clamping assemblies on an axis between a first position and a second position that defines a right angle with the first position. The system includes a suture tensioning assembly for applying tension to a suture secured to the first and second suture clamping assemblies as the suture is rotated on its axis.

Abstract: A surgical incision drape, comprises a flexible substantially flat areal substrate having an upper side and an opposing tissue-facing side, having a longitudinal axis and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the tissue-facing side; at least one hollow microtubular compartment containing a flowable medical agent, said hollow microtubular compartment positioned to intersect the longitudinal axis and embedded into the substrate or positioned on the substrate.

Abstract: A surgical incision drape, comprises a flexible substantially flat areal substrate having an upper side and an opposing tissue-facing side, having a longitudinal axis and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the tissue-facing side; at least one hollow microtubular compartment containing a flowable medical agent, said hollow microtubular compartment positioned to intersect the longitudinal axis and embedded into the substrate or positioned on the substrate.

Abstract: A surgical incision drape, comprises a flexible substantially flat areal substrate having an upper side and an opposing tissue-facing side, having a longitudinal axis and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the tissue-facing side; at least one hollow microtubular compartment containing a flowable medical agent, said hollow microtubular compartment positioned to intersect the longitudinal axis and embedded into the substrate or positioned on the substrate.

Abstract: An article, such as a tissue bonding article, includes a flexible material, a polymerization initiator or rate modifier disposed in or on the flexible material, and a polymerizable adhesive composition permeated throughout at least a portion of the flexible material, where the polymerization initiator or rate modifier is a polymerization initiator or rate modifier for the polymerizable adhesive composition.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for predicting metabolic and bariatric surgery outcomes are provided. The systems and methods can also provide predictions for non-surgical metabolic and bariatric treatments. In general, a user can receive predictive outcomes of multiple bariatric procedures that could be performed on a patient. In one embodiment, a user can electronically access a metabolic and bariatric surgery outcome prediction system, e.g., using one or more web pages. The system can provide predictive outcomes of one or more different bariatric surgeries for the patient based on data gathered from the user and on historical data regarding outcomes of the different bariatric surgeries. The system can additionally provide predictive outcomes for not having any treatment and/or a comparison of the predictive outcomes of the one or more different bariatric surgeries to the predictive outcomes for not having any treatment.

Abstract: Novel apparatus and methods for coating surgical needles in batch processes are disclosed. The apparatus and methods are particularly useful for applying uniform silicone lubricious coatings to surgical needles in bulk quantities using a novel separation and spray coating system and method.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners including a housing, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, surgical fasteners disposed in the elongated shaft, a firing system for dispensing the surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft, and a trigger coupled with the housing for activating the firing system. The firing system includes a firing rod disposed in the elongated shaft and an energy storing element disposed in the housing for building up energy for dispensing the surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flowable hemostatic paste comprising a crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose and at least one non-toxic dispersant. More specifically the present invention relates to a hemostatic paste containing citric acid cross-linked CMC, which is suspended or dispersed as a powder in a mixture of a first non-toxic glycerol-containing hygroscopic dispersant and a second non-toxic alcohol functionalized dispersant comprising propylene glycol or 1,3-butanediol.