Abstract: A mechanical system for bilaterally securing skin tissue preferably utilizes a tissue manipulator apparatus to approximate a portion of an interior surface of each of two pieces of living dermis tissue along a vertical interface below an exterior surface without overlapping either interior surface across the vertical interface. An applicator apparatus includes a driving head portion positioned in the vertical interface and at least partially below the exterior surface and a handle portion positioned at least partially above the exterior surface. The applicator apparatus bilaterally drives at least one portion of the fastener through each piece of the living dermis tissue behind the interior surface of that piece of tissue such that the fastener is positioned below the exterior surface and a portion of the fastener is positioned generally transverse to the vertical interface. The applicator can include guide features to direct tissue with respect to the driving head portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and related methods for sequentially positioning and retaining opposing sides of a tissue wound. The apparatus includes a device body having a head portion for positioning between first and second sides of the wound, with the head portion defining first and second retention zones on opposed side of the head portion. The device body further includes first and second approximation arms. The device body further includes a trigger assembly defining three stages of operation. A first stage of operation positions the first approximation arm proximate the first retention zone. A second stage of operation positions the second approximation arm proximate the second retention zone with the first approximation arm remaining in approximation to the first retention zone. A third stage of operation advances a fastener into the first and second retention zones. In this manner, the apparatus sequentially positions the first and second sides with respect to the head portion.

Abstract: A mechanical system for bilaterally securing skin tissue preferably utilizes a tissue manipulator apparatus to approximate a portion of an interior surface of each of two pieces of living dermis tissue along a vertical interface below an exterior surface without overlapping either interior surface across the vertical interface. An applicator apparatus includes a driving head portion positioned in the vertical interface and at least partially below the exterior surface and a handle portion positioned at least partially above the exterior surface. The applicator apparatus bilaterally drives at least one portion of the fastener through each piece of the living dermis tissue behind the interior surface of that piece of tissue such that the fastener is positioned below the exterior surface and a portion of the fastener is positioned generally transverse to the vertical interface. The applicator can include guide features to direct tissue with respect to the driving head portion.

Abstract: A surgical fastening apparatus and related methods for fastening skin tissue so as to avoid piercing the epidermis with resultant percutaneous penetration when intending placement of surgical fasteners within a dermal layer on opposed sides of a skin wound. The apparatus includes a device body having a head portion for positioning between first and second sides of the wound, wherein the head portion includes a deflector shelf that physically prevents epidermal tissue from entering a capture zone defined on the head portion through which a penetrator assembly and fastener are advanced into the dermal layer. By ensuring that the epidermal tissue is not placed within the piercing zone, the potential for inadvertent piercing and percutaneous placement of the surgical fastener though the external skin surface is avoided.

Abstract: Apparatus and related methods for sequentially positioning and retaining opposing sides of a tissue wound. The apparatus includes a device body having a head portion for positioning between first and second sides of the wound, with the head portion defining first and second retention zones on opposed side of the head portion. The device body further includes first and second approximation arms. The device body further includes a trigger assembly defining three stages of operation. A first stage of operation positions the first approximation arm proximate the first retention zone. A second stage of operation positions the second approximation arm proximate the second retention zone with the first approximation arm remaining in approximation to the first retention zone. A third stage of operation advances a fastener into the first and second retention zones. In this manner, the apparatus sequentially positions the first and second sides with respect to the head portion.

Abstract: A mechanical system for bilaterally securing skin tissue preferably utilizes a tissue manipulator apparatus to approximate a portion of an interior surface of each of two pieces of living dermis tissue along a vertical interface below an exterior surface without overlapping either interior surface across the vertical interface. An applicator apparatus includes a driving head portion positioned in the vertical interface and at least partially below the exterior surface and a handle portion positioned at least partially above the exterior surface. The applicator apparatus bilaterally drives at least one portion of the fastener through each piece of the living dermis tissue behind the interior surface of that piece of tissue such that the fastener is positioned below the exterior surface and a portion of the fastener is positioned generally transverse to the vertical interface.

Abstract: A mechanical system for rotatably, sequentially securing opposing sides of a tissue wound with a fastener. An applicator apparatus is capable of imparting rotatable motion to a falcate tissue penetrator that sequentially pierces and carries a fastener into a first side and a second side of the tissue wound. The first side and second side of tissue can be simultaneously captured and positioned with respect to a tissue definition member or alternatively, the first tissue side and second tissue side can be individually, sequentially captured and positioned relative to the tissue definition member. The applicator apparatus can comprise a single fastener for small tissue wounds or resections or alternatively, the applicator can comprise a plurality of staged fasteners for use in closing a larger wounds or wounds with increased tension.

Abstract: A mechanical system for rotatably, sequentially securing opposing sides of a tissue wound with a fastener. An applicator apparatus is capable of imparting rotatable motion to a falcate tissue penetrator that sequentially pierces and carries a fastener into a first side and a second side of the tissue wound. The first side and second side of tissue can be simultaneously captured and positioned with respect to a tissue definition member or alternatively, the first tissue side and second tissue side can be individually, sequentially captured and positioned relative to the tissue definition member. The applicator apparatus can comprise a single fastener for small tissue wounds or resections or alternatively, the applicator can comprise a plurality of staged fasteners for use in closing a larger wounds or wounds with increased tension.

Abstract: A mechanical system for bilaterally securing skin tissue preferably utilizes a tissue manipulator apparatus to approximate a portion of an interior surface of each of two pieces of living dermis tissue along a vertical interface below an exterior surface without overlapping either interior surface across the vertical interface. An applicator apparatus includes a driving head portion positioned in the vertical interface and at least partially below the exterior surface and a handle portion positioned at least partially above the exterior surface. The applicator apparatus bilaterally drives at least one portion of the fastener through each piece of the living dermis tissue behind the interior surface of that piece of tissue such that the fastener is positioned below the exterior surface and a portion of the fastener is positioned generally transverse to the vertical interface.

Abstract: A mechanical system for rotatably, sequentially securing opposing sides of a tissue wound with a fastener. An applicator apparatus is capable of imparting rotatable motion to a falcate tissue penetrator that sequentially pierces and carries a fastener into a first side and a second side of the tissue wound. The first side and second side of tissue can be simultaneously captured and positioned with respect to a tissue definition member or alternatively, the first tissue side and second tissue side can be individually, sequentially captured and positioned relative to the tissue definition member. The applicator apparatus can comprise a single fastener for small tissue wounds or resections or alternatively, the applicator can comprise a plurality of staged fasteners for use in closing a larger wounds or wounds with increased tension.

Abstract: A mechanical device and method for gathering and securing tissue with a fastener. The device includes an applicator assembly configured to deploy a fastener in a first direction, a tissue manipulation assembly configured to move from a relaxed position to a grasping position in a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a translating trigger assembly coupled to the applicator assembly and the tissue manipulation assembly. The trigger assembly is configured to move from a relaxed position, through a first position, to a second position along a third direction transverse to the first and second direction. Operation of the trigger assembly from the relaxed position through the first position along the third direction causes the tissue manipulation assembly to move in the second direction to gather a portion of the tissue. Continued operation of the trigger assembly along the third direction causes the applicator assembly to deploy the fastener.

Abstract: A fastener for insertion into pierced openings of a tissue wound has a body formed of a generally bioabsorbable polymer defining an initial capture area. The body includes a pair of arms, each with an inwardly projecting cleat operably joined at an elbow portion defining an internal elbow angle. The arms are operably joined to a backspan at a shoulder portion defining an internal shoulder angle. A durable tissue retention zone is defined between the cleat and the arm. The elbow portion and the internal elbow angle define an insertion width greater than a width of the pierced openings resulting in the pierced openings stretching over the cleat and being elastically retained within the durable tissue retention zone. The fastener captures wound tissue in the initial capture area and then dynamically reforms in response to lateral stresses without a fracture failure of the fastener until a minimum degradation period.

Abstract: A mechanical system for bilaterally securing skin tissue preferably utilizes a tissue manipulator apparatus to approximate a portion of an interior surface of each of two pieces of living dermis tissue along a vertical interface below an exterior surface without overlapping either interior surface across the vertical interface. An applicator apparatus includes a driving head portion positioned in the vertical interface and at least partially below the exterior surface and a handle portion positioned at least partially above the exterior surface. The applicator apparatus bilaterally drives at least one portion of the fastener through each piece of the living dermis tissue behind the interior surface of that piece of tissue such that the fastener is positioned below the exterior surface and a portion of the fastener is positioned generally transverse to the vertical interface.

Abstract: A mechanical system for bilaterally securing skin tissue preferably utilizes a tissue manipulator apparatus to approximate a portion of an interior surface of each of two pieces of living dermis tissue along a vertical interface below an exterior surface without overlapping either interior surface across the vertical interface. An applicator apparatus includes a driving head portion positioned in the vertical interface and at least partially below the exterior surface and a handle portion positioned at least partially above the exterior surface. The applicator apparatus bilaterally drives at least one portion of the fastener through each piece of the living dermis tissue behind the interior surface of that piece of tissue such that the fastener is positioned below the exterior surface and a portion of the fastener is positioned generally transverse to the vertical interface.

Abstract: A sequential surgical forceps is adapted to sequentially grasp tissue on opposed sides of a tissue interface and then present the tissue for capture and closure by a surgical fastening apparatus. The sequential tissue forceps comprises a first arm, a second arm and central arm wherein both the first arm and the second arm are sequentially closed with respect to the central arm. The first arm, second arm and central arm preferably comprise tips having a gripping structure to facilitate tissue capture and retention. The central arm includes structure that defines a mating interface to allow for selective positioning of the sequential tissue forceps and any captured tissue with respect to a surgical fastening apparatus. In this way, the tissue forceps is able to consistently manipulate and present wound tissue relative to the surgical fastening apparatus.

Abstract: A mechanical system for sequentially securing skin tissue preferably utilizes a tissue manipulator apparatus to approximate a portion of an interior surface of each of two pieces of living dermis tissue along a vertical interface below an exterior surface such that discrete target tissue zones are defined within the two pieces of living dermis tissue. An applicator apparatus includes a driving head portion positioned in the vertical interface and at least partially below the exterior surface and a handle portion positioned at least partially above the exterior surface. The applicator apparatus unilaterally drives a fastener through a first side of the living dermis tissue and then sequentially drives the fastener through a second side of the living dermis such that the fastener is positioned below the exterior surface and a portion of the fastener is positioned generally transverse to the vertical interface.

Abstract: A fastener for insertion into pierced openings of a tissue wound has a body formed of a generally bioabsorbable polymer defining an initial capture area internal to the body. The body includes a pair of arms, each with an inwardly projecting cleat operably joined at an elbow portion defining an internal elbow angle. The arms are operably joined to a backspan at a shoulder portion defining an internal shoulder angle. A durable tissue retention zone is defined between the cleat and the arm. The elbow portion and the internal elbow angle define an insertion width greater than a width of the pierced openings resulting in the pierced openings stretching over the cleat and being elastically retained within the durable tissue retention zone. The fastener initially captures wound tissue in the initial capture area and then dynamically reforms in response to lateral stresses applied by the wound tissue without a fracture failure of the fastener until a minimum degradation period.