Abstract: This invention provides an articulated surgical instrument for use in laparoscopic surgical procedures including, in general, a handle, an elongated shaft, and a tip. The shaft is coupled to the handle, and the tip is pivotally coupled to the distal end of the shaft for articulation about an articulation axis. The tip includes two opposed jaws. The jaws are pivotally coupled at a pivot axis for movement between an open position and a closed position, and at least one of the jaws has a camming portion proximal to the pivot axis of the jaws. The instrument further includes a camming driver disposed in the shaft for reciprocating movement between a proximal position and a distal position. The camming driver has a camming portion. The drive camming portion contacts the jaw camming portion at a cam point. Preferably, the jaw camming portion is a hemispherically-shaped projection and the driver camming portion is a ramp.

Abstract: This invention provides articulated surgical instruments for use in laparoscopic surgical procedures including, in general, a handle, an elongated shaft, and an articulated tip. A gap extends longitudinally between the shaft and the tip. The instruments further include a flexible compression drive member, preferably a flexible cable, which is slidably disposed in the shaft and extends through the gap. The flexible drive member bends through the gap in a plane of articulation when the tip is articulated. A flexible support is attached at one end to the shaft and at another end to the tip. At least one of those connections is a slidable connection. The support extends through the articulation joint adjacent to the flexible drive member in the plane of articulation such that the support bends through the gap in the plane of articulation and the flexible drive member bends against the support when the tip is articulated in one direction from its aligned position.

Abstract: This invention provides surgical instruments having improved lockout mechanisms. The surgical instruments are of the type which have an operating mechanism for repeatedly performing a surgical procedure and a control mechanism for manipulating the instrument between a neutral position and a ready position for performing the surgical procedure. The instruments comprise a passive lockout assembly and an active lockout assembly. The passive lockout assembly includes a key which is operatively connected to the control mechanism. The key immobilizes the operating mechanism unless the instrument is in the ready position. The active lockout assembly includes a plunger operatively connected to a manually operable switch. The plunger immobilizes the operating mechanism unless the switch is operated and reengages the operating mechanism each time the instrument is used.

Abstract: An adaptable seal for use in a trocar or trocar converter is provided. The seal comprises a membrane having a radially proximal edge and a radially distal edge, at least one lobe terminating at said band, and preferably a band located at the radially proximal edge. The seal is thus able to adaptably receive surgical instruments of various diameters. The seal may further comprise means for forming a fluid-tight seal between the upper surface and the lower surface of the seal when an elongated object is received through an aperture in the seal, and at least one trough or wall. A seal according to the present invention is able to accommodate radial movement of the surgical instrument within the cannula of a trocar. A trocar and a trocar converter also fall within the purview of the present invention.

Abstract: A surgical staple and stapler for use in stapling together the tissue of a patient. The staple is a rounded M-shape or gull wing shape in form. The surgical staple has a base which is bent downward in the center while the legs of the staple at each end of the base are outwardly bent. The outwardly bent legs of the staple are cut or formed to a sharp points at the end of the legs. The staple is circular in cross-section, but has a flat surface on the lower side. This staple facilitates stacking, feeding and removal of the staple. It further ensures a clean puncturing of the tissue that is stapled when used with the surgical stapling instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery is provided which is capable of articulation in the endoscopic arm portion of the instrument to supply the surgeon with improved adjustability in the orientation of the arm. The instrument provides means through which the surgeon can change the angle at which the instrument actuates. This articulation functions without disruption of the rotatability of the arm or the mechanism for applying staples, clips, and the like. Because this articulation can be performed in conjunction with a rotation feature, a large degree of adjustment is generated.

Abstract: A trocar for use in surgical procedures including a cannula for maintaining a sealed working channel in a body wall and an obturator which creates the working channel through the body wall while protecting patients and medical personnel from harm is disclosed. A cannula converter which can be employed with the trocar to enable a surgeon to use surgical instruments having a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the cannula without deflating a body cavity is further disclosed. A site stabilizer which can be used with the trocar to prevent the cannula from being inadvertently withdrawn from the body cavity during a surgical procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved reciprocating jaw type hemostatic clip applier or ligator. The improved apparatus is provided with an improved camming mechanism which interfaces with the jaws to cam the jaws closed and which is designed to maintain its alignment with respect to the jaws to prevent misalignment of the jaws during closure and malformation of clips. The improved apparatus is also provided with a lockout mechanism which prevents the jaws from being closed once the last clip has been formed and released from the instrument.

Abstract: A liquid dehydrating agent suitable for treating histological and cytological tissue in the processing thereof for microscopic examination, consisting essentially of a blend of between 30 and 45 percent by volume of methyl alcohol and between 70 and 55 percent by volume of isopropyl alcohol, the total constituting 100 percent, preferably wherein the amount of isopropyl alcohol is about 60 percent and the amount of methyl alcohol is about 40 percent by volume, and a method of treating histological or cytological tissue to dehydrate the same after fixation thereof, comprising immersing the tissue in such a liquid dehydrating agent, as well as a method of treating histological or cytological tissue after preservation or fixation thereof to dehydrate the same, comprising the step of immersing the tissue in such a liquid dehydrating agent and water, and repeating the procedure with successively diminishing amounts of water, and a method of hydrating histological or cytological tissue comprising the step of subject

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying hemostatic or ligating clips. The apparatus is provided with a unitary chassis on which all other components are attached. A clip housing is disposed at the forward end of the apparatus and stores a plurality of abuttingly arranged forward facing clips that are fed one at a time to the jaws. Upon closure of the handles, the jaws are drawn rearwardly into the apparatus and cammed closed to deform a clip positioned between the jaws. Upon release of the handles, the apparatus returns to its unactuated position and advances a clip to the jaws. The apparatus includes a lockout member to prevent actuation of the apparatus while a clip is in transition from the clip housing to the jaws.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical clip for occluding the flow of blood through a blood vessel, artery or vein. The clip formed with longitudinal and transverse or lateral notches to prevent both longitudinal and lateral slippage of the clip with respect to the vessel. The clip is also provided with coined front legs to assist in deformation about a vessel and to further provide a self aligning feature when the clips are arranged in an abutting, forward facing row. The apparatus of the present invention forms the foregoing described clip and does so in a symmetrical way to provide a clip with a uniform stock length.

Abstract: A surgical stapler for implanting and clinching staples in the body of a patient employs a reciprocally movable, retractable anvil and a reciprocally movable former for forming a staple about the end of the retractable anvil. A toggle is mounted in a stapler trigger which simultaneously actuates the former and toggle. The toggle removes the anvil end into and out of the path of the former whereby desired release of a formed staple from the anvil is assured following clinching of the staple ends.

Abstract: A package for a surgical blade or the like is provided which enables the blade to be readily attached to the elongated end of a handle without requiring the blade to be removed from the package during the manipulations attendant to the attachment. The package includes a flexible top panel and a flexible bottom panel which coact with one another to form an elongated blade-accommodating pocket having an opening therefor spaced from one end of the bottom panel. The accommodated blade has a slotted attachment end disposed adjacent the pocket opening. The handle end is inserted into the pocket opening between the blade and bottom panel and into the blade slot while the blade and associated panel portions are flexed a slight amount until the blade and handle end interlock with one another when the blade is returned to an unflexed condition and while the blade remains completely within the pocket. The handle end with the blade attached thereto is then withdrawn from the pocket out through the pocket opening.

Abstract: A unit is provided for accommodating various disposable articles, such as used surgical blades and the like, wherein each article is automatically removed from the tang of a handle and retained within a receptacle. The removal of the article from the tang is accomplished without physical contact between the article and the person utilizing the unit. The receptacle is provided with at least one elongated article-accommodating compartment accessible only through an entry formed at an end thereof. The entry is sized so as to permit the tang and attached article to be manually inserted therethrough into the compartment. Upon the tang being withdrawn from the compartment through the entry the article is automatically removed therefrom and remains entrapped within the compartment.