Abstract: A method and apparatus for closing a punctured blood vessel is described. The method includes providing a suturing instrument adapted to apply at least one suture to at least a portion of a blood vessel in order to close a puncture wound therein. In a preferred embodiment, the suture is secured by crimping a sleeve member over the free ends of the suture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for projecting an image of a patient to intersect a display screen which is nonperpendicular to an adjacent portion of an optical path and adjacent a sterile operative field. A video projector system and accompanying optics impart at least one of a tilted focal plane or depth of focus to the projected image. The optical path of the projected image is located adjacent the surgical field. An initially sterile display screen is located in the optical path adjacent the sterile field so that a normal to the screen is noncoincident with the optical path and the projected image on the screen is of constant focus across the screen. The initially sterile display screen may be degradable upon cleaning and resterilization so that a new screen must be used with each procedure, thus insuring the optical quality and sterility of the screen. The display screen may be supported adjacent the surgical field by an articulated rod assembly.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for manipulating body tissue including a hollow needle, a bulb connected to the needle for aspirating air through an end of the needle, a flexible guide wire extending through the needle, a fitting on one end of the guide wire for permitting the guide wire to be reciprocated with the same hand that holds the instrument, from a retracted position substantially within the needle, to an extended position in which a substantial length of the guide wire extends beyond an end of the needle, an expandable dilator attached to the dilation tip for dilating a tracheal wall when the dilator is inflated, and a tracheostomy tube detachably mounted with respect to the dilator for placement into a lumen of a trachea.

Abstract: A collapsible anvil assembly and applicator instrument for use with a surgical stapler. The collapsible anvil assembly includes an anvil shaft and a plurality of anvil segments, having staple clinching buckets thereon, flexibly affixed to the anvil shaft which are movable between a collapsed or radially inwardly deflected condition and an expanded or radially outwardly deflected condition. Immobilizing means in the form of an axially slidable locking ring is provided to fix and maintain the anvil segments in the expanded condition. Mounting element are also provided for subsequent detachable mounting of the anvil assembly on a surgical stapler. The collapsible anvil assembly may also include a suction purse stringing device which attracts and holds a surrounding tissue section within the anvil segments. Additionally, an axially slidable tissue holding ring or snap cap is provided to lock the held tissue section within the anvil segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for closing a punctured blood vessel is described. The method includes providing a suturing instrument adapted to apply at least one suture to at least a portion of a blood vessel in order to close a puncture wound therein. In a preferred embodiment, the suture is secured by crimping a sleeve member over the free ends of the suture.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus and method of use for maintaining tension upon a length of suture material extending from body tissue is provided. The surgical apparatus deforms and compresses a securing member about a length of suture material which is received therethrough so as to maintain a prescribed amount of tension on the suture material which extends from body tissue and is engaged in the compressed securing member.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus and method of use for maintaining tension upon a length of suture material extending from body tissue is provided. The surgical apparatus deforms and compresses a securing member about a length of suture material which is received therethrough so as to maintain a prescribed amount of tension on the suture material which extends from body tissue and is engaged in the compressed securing member.

Abstract: A trocar wound closure device includes an elongated body having a distal end for insertion through a trocar puncture wound, a proximal end, and a first and second retractable needle holders disposed at the distal end of the body. The needle holders are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. An actuator disposed at the proximal end of the body moves the needle holders from the retracted position to the extended position, so that the needle holders can be retracted to allow the device to be inserted through a trocar wound preferably through a cannula inserted into the wound, and extended to position the needles adjacent the wound, to allow the wound to be sutured.

Abstract: An obturator assembly for penetrating body tissue, includes a handle assembly having a finger-actuated trigger member, a sleeve member connected to and extending from the handle assembly, an obturator shaft at least partially positioned within the sleeve member and engageable with the finger-actuated trigger member of the handle assembly and a cutting mechanism supported by the distal end portion of the obturator shaft. The cutting mechanism is deployable for cutting action upon movement of the trigger member. A method of using the obturator assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring surgical instrumentation to tissue having a collar with structure thereon for attaching the collar to a surgical instrument and suture receiving structure disposed peripherally on the collar, the suture receiving being configured and dimensioned to receive an anchoring suture therein. A method is disclosed for using the apparatus whereby at least one suture provided in the peripheral tissue adjacent the surgical instrumentation is wrapped within the receiving structure.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for energy welding or otherwise joining two segments of living tissue, usually tubular in structure, comprising, means for clamping the first tissue section, means for clamping the second tissue section, means for moving one of said clamping means toward said other clamping means to bring the first and second sections into abutting relationship to form a seam. Means for transmitting energy to the seam may be provided to weld together the first and second sections. The means for clamping the first section comprises a first pair of opposed arms and the means for clamping the second section comprises a second pair of opposed arms, wherein at least one of said arms of each said pair of arms is pivotably connected to said opposing arm. The energy transmitting means comprises first and second housing sections adapted to be placed over opposing sides of the clamping means wherein each of the housing sections has a plurality of energy transmissive elements extending therethrough.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for the morcellation of bodily tissue or bodily organ parts during an endoscopic surgical procedure. The instrument includes a handle assembly and a tubular body portion extending from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis. A tool assembly is associated with a distal end of the tubular body including cooperating jaw members and a cutting member. A first mechanism is for effectuating remote actuation of the cooperating jaw members and a second mechanism is for effectuating remote reciprocal movement of the cutting member with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

Abstract: A trocar wound closure device includes an elongated body having a distal end for insertion through a trocar puncture wound, a proximal end, and a first and second retractable needle holders disposed at the distal end of the body. The needle holders are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. An actuator disposed at the proximal end of the body moves the needle holders from the retracted position to the extended position, so that the needle holders can be retracted to allow the device to be inserted through a trocar wound preferably through a cannula inserted into the wound, and extended to position the needles adjacent the wound, to allow the wound to be sutured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical device which atraumatically compresses body tissue and guides a cutting blade to transect the body tissue. Included in the surgical device is a base member equipped to hold body tissue and accurately guide a cutting blade to sever tissue at a predetermined location. A pressure applying member, preferably an arm pivotally connected to the base member, atraumatically compresses a portion of the body tissue through a compliant finger projecting from its distal end. The complaint finger is configured and dimensioned to engage the holding portion of the base member, preferably a groove formed within the base member. Parallel guiding members intersect the holding portion of the base member to guide a cutting blade substantially perpendicular to the body tissue during tissue severance.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus, method of use and instrumentation kit are provided for suturing body tissue. The apparatus includes a handle assembly and an elongated body assembly detachably engaged to the handle assembly. The elongated body assembly includes an actuating mechanism for sequentially pulling the first and second ferrule portions of a length of suture material through body tissue. The length of suture material and the first and second ferrule portions are releasably retained in the elongated body assembly. The instrumentation kit includes the surgical apparatus and at least one additional elongated body assembly in an enclosure.

Abstract: A trocar wound closure device includes an elongated body having a distal end for insertion through a trocar puncture wound, a proximal end, and a first and second retractable needle holders disposed at the distal end of the body. The needle holders are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. An actuator disposed at the proximal end of the body moves the needle holders from the retracted position to the extended position, so that the needle holders can be retracted to allow the device to be inserted through a trocar wound preferably through a cannula inserted into the wound, and extended to position the needles adjacent the wound, to allow the wound to be sutured.