Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a trocar/cannula assembly through a wall of an anatomical cavity of a patient, the apparatus including a housing for holding a trocar/cannula assembly, a spine having a longitudinal axis, the spine having proximal and terminal ends, the housing coupled to the spine for movement along said axis, holding means on the housing for holding a trocar/cannula assembly, and drive means coupled to said housing and spine for driving said housing axially on said spine toward said terminal end thereby moving said housing from an initial position to a final position, whereby the trocar/cannula assembly carried by said housing is moved axially along said spine.

Abstract: A trocar system is provided for use in obtaining access into a body cavity for laparoscopic/endoscopic procedures. The trocar system includes a protective housing releasably secured to a trocar housing. An obturator shaft is slidably mounted within the housings and has a stylet at an end thereof terminating at a sharp tip. The obturator shaft is movable in a direction of movement between a retracted position, wherein the sharp tip is retracted into the protective housing, and an extended position, wherein the sharp tip extends out of the protective housing. The trocar system also includes a latching and release mechanism provided within the trocar housing for latching the shaft in its extended position and for releasing the shaft to allow retraction thereof to its retracted position. This latching and release mechanism includes a slide plate movable between first and second positions for permitting movement of the obturator shaft between its retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A surgical stapler device of the so-called pistol grip type includes a stack of staples loaded into a lower cartridge in an orientation similar to a conventional paper stapler. A former rotates and turns a leading staple 90.degree. or normal to its prior orientation in the stack of staples as the former slides between a start position and a first intermediate forward position. The former is further displaced to a second intermediate forward position wherein the staple is moved in its perpendicular orientation within the device to the forming position which in turn moves a lower anvil. The former is further displaceable to a third intermediate forward position wherein the staple is formed around a staple forming surface of the lower anvil.

Abstract: A surgical stapler which closes a staple during the downstroke of the former and strips the closed staple during the upstroke of the anvil by pressing the crossarm of the closed staple against a bevelled cam surface.

Abstract: A surgical stapler device of the so-called pistol grip type includes a stack of staples loaded into a lower cartridge in an orientation similar to a conventional paper stapler. A former rotates and turns a leading staple 90.degree. or normal to its prior orientation in the stack of staples as the former slides between a start position and a first intermediate forward position. The former is further displaced to a second intermediate forward position wherein the staple is moved in its perpendicular orientation within the device to the forming position which in turn moves a lower anvil. The former is further displaceable to a third intermediate forward position wherein the staple is formed around a staple forming surface of the lower anvil.

Abstract: A surgical stapler which closes a staple during the downstroke of the former and strips the closed staple during the upstroke of the anvil by pressing the crossarm of the closed staple against a bevelled cam surface.

Abstract: A surgical stapler device of the so-called pistol grip type includes a stack of staples loaded into a lower cartridge in an orientation similar to a conventional paper stapler. A former rotates and turns a leading staple 90.degree. or normal to its prior orientation in the stack of staples as the former slides between a start position and an intermediate position. The rotational movement of the staple insures maximum clarity in the surgeon's line of visions when placing a staple in position. The former is further displaced between an intermediate and a final position wherein the staple is formed around a staple forming surface of an anvil. The former also cams the anvil downwardly separating the formed staple from the anvil lip, thereby allowing the former to receive a staple from the stack of staples onto its staple transport surface for sequential stapling.

Abstract: A surgical stapler having a pivotable trigger in a housing and a cartridge of surgical staples, has a moving anvil which receives one staple at a time in its open configuration. A forming blade moves to engage and capture the staple between the forming blade and the anvil and drive the staple away from the cartridge allowing the user to see and place the points of the staple at a desired location on the tissue. Further movement of the forming blade pressing upon the top of the staple forces the staple legs to pierce and close joining adjacent edges of tissue. First and second stripper elements acting separately or in combination engage and urge the closed staple to separate from the anvil.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system, apparatus and staple wherein a resilient staple has a relaxed closed configuration, is expanded into an open crescent shape, and finally is allowed to return to its closed configuration while simultaneously piercing and drawing together adjacent edges of an open incision or wound. The stapling apparatus contains a plurality of staples and includes projections which engage and secure each staple to the apparatus until its closure to tissue is complete and separation from the apparatus is desired. Further mechanism is provided to control the staple as it closes and optionally to re-open a closed or partially closed staple.

Abstract: A naso-gastric tube stabilizer device having a base part, a harness for releasably holding the device on a patient's head, and a spring member secured for releasably securing to the device an exposed section of a naso-gastric tube extending out of the patient's nostril.

Abstract: A soft and flexible device with a gripping portion for releasably engaging, stabilizing and aligning the portion of a naso-gastric tube where it exits the nose adjacent a patient's upper lip; the device is releasably secured on the patient's head by an adjustable harness that encircles the head.

Abstract: This invention is a retention suture bridge device for positioning and securing the exposed portion of a retention suture above and out of contact with an incision closure while the retention suture remains tied. This new device is formed of an arch part with end parts thereof aligned along a longitudinal axis, a series of holes along the arch through which the ends of a retention suture may be extended, and a generally round foot part secured to each end part and pivotal on the end part about the longitudinal axis.