Abstract: The present application provides an arterial cannula system for transporting blood from an extracorporeal pump to a patient's femoral artery and aorta comprising first and second cannula portions. The first cannula portion has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion and is configured for insertion through the femoral artery. It includes a first lumen extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion to deliver cardioplegic fluid, a second lumen communicating with an expandable occluding member at the distal end portion to inflate the occluding member to occlude blood flow, and a third lumen extending from the proximal portion to the intermediate portion to transport blood from the extracorporeal pump to the femoral artery. The second cannula portion is configured for insertion into the subclavian artery so that an opening in the distal portion is in communication with the aorta.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractable blade. A surgical instrument is provided which in engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for removing tissue, which includes (i) an elongated body defining an opening at a distal end and forming a tissue receiving cavity in communication with the opening (ii) a blunt dilator at least partially disposed in the tissue receiving cavity and (iii) a cutting member operatively movable transverse to the elongated body in proximity to the opening.

Abstract: Star polymers of soft segment forming monomers are useful in forming surgical devices. The star polymers can be encapped with isocyanate, mixed with a filler and/or cross-linked. The polymer compositions are useful, for example, as fiber coatings, surgical adhesives or bone putty, or tissue growth substrate.

Abstract: Absorbable copolymers are fabricated from the random polymerization of 1,4 dioxane-2-one and 1,3 dioxane-2-one monomers. The copolymers are useful in forming surgical articles, including both monofilament and multifilament sutures.

Abstract: A method for forming blunt surgical needles having a radiused tip includes tumbling the surgical needles in a tumbling medium for a period of time sufficient to achieve a desired radius on the tip of the needle. The needles to be radiused may be taper pointed needles, taper pointed needles with a portion of the tip removed, or partially completed tapered needles. Tumbling may be performed in one or more tumbling steps using abrasive and/or burnishing media If an abrasive tumbling operation is used, preferably a second tumbling operation is performed with a hard, smooth medium which burnishes rather than abrades the needle. The tumbling media used to form a radius on the needle tip preferably is wet and can be acidic, neutral, or alkaline. The radiused needles may be polished by subsequent tumbling in a substantially dry tumbling medium.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is disclosed which includes a first body portion supporting an anvil plate defining a fastener forming surface, and a second body portion configured to releasably mate with the first body portion. A disposable loading unit is removably supported in the second body portion and includes a cartridge defining a plurality of slots, a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the slots, a plurality of ejectors positioned adjacent the surgical fasteners, and a wedged actuator configured to enter into and translate through the cartridge to sequentially interact with the ejectors. An elongated actuation member is mounted for longitudinal movement within the second body portion and is releasably engagable with the wedged actuator, whereby longitudinal movement of the actuation member causes the wedged actuator to interact with the ejectors, driving the surgical fasteners from the cartridge to be formed against the anvil plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a surgical instrument relative to a base is provided having a mounting portion configured and dimensioned to engage a portion of a base, a jaw assembly including first and second jaw members which define a retaining area therebetween configured and dimensioned to retain the shaft of a surgical instrument therein and thereby fix the length of the instrument shaft relative to the base and an operative site, and an instrument position adjustment mechanism which includes an adjustment member rotatably disposed in relative to the mounting portion to facilitate selective position adjustment of the jaw assembly with respect to the mounting portion.

Abstract: A pneumatically powered trocar assembly includes a source of compressed gas which releases a metered amount of gas to a chamber. A piston slidably positioned within the chamber is driven forward by the compressed gas introduced therein, and an obturator with a tissue piercing tip are advanced thereby. Optionally, a sensor detects the presence of body tissue within the cutting path of the tip and blocks the passage of compressed gas to the chamber, or alternatively, opens an escape vent to release compressed gas therefrom if insufficient body tissue resistance is encountered. The powered trocar assembly is intended for use in conjunction with a cannula assembly to create a passage to the interior of a body cavity for conducting surgical procedures.

Abstract: A driver apparatus is provided for use with a biopsy instrument, the driver apparatus including a housing and an insertion mechanism including a carriage movably associated with the housing and adapted to support the biopsy instrument to affect longitudinal movement of at least a portion of the biopsy instrument. A linear motion control mechanism is also included that is adapted to move a tissue cutting element of the biopsy instrument from a first position to a second position relative to a tissue receiving portion of the biopsy instrument. Further, a tissue retract mechanism is included which facilitates removal of a tissue specimen from the biopsy instrument without removing the entire biopsy instrument from a surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprising a base adapted to lie on the patient's skin, a handle slidably mounted with respect to the base, a tissue retracting blade extending from the handle, and a locking member movable from at least a first position to a second position to retain the tissue retracting blade in a selected position. A light guide illuminates the surgical site during use. An angle adapter can be mounted to the base to increase the angle of the tissue retracting blade with respect to the tissue. A method for accessing the saphenous vein to facilitate harvesting the vein is also disclosed comprising the steps of making a small incision in the leg of a patient, positioning a retractor on a patient's leg such that a retractor blade extends into the incision and a base lies on the surface of the patient's leg and pulling the retractor blade away from the patient to lift the tissue away from the underlying saphenous vein.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a staple into torn tissue such as the meniscus of the knee. The apparatus includes a pair of shafts individually movable in a longitudinal directing which are actuable from a handle mechanism. The shafts are movable sequentially so that the shafts disjunctively advance the prongs of the staple which is releasably held adjacent distal end portions of the shafts. A further embodiment of the device consists of a pair of needles detachably secured to a pair of anchoring members having a plurality of barb-like projections extending outwardly therefrom. The anchoring members are joined by a suture which connects adjacent the trailing ends of the anchoring members opposite the penetration end of the needles.

Abstract: Block copolymers wherein one of the blocks is made from hard phase forming monomers and another of the blocks is made from soft phase forming monomers copolymerized with randomly intermingled units of other soft phase forming monomers. The copolymers are useful in forming surgical articles, including both monofilament and multifilament sutures.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable blend is provided which comprises the reaction product of 1) a bioabsorbable copolymer obtained by polymerizing a major amount of epsilon-caprolactone and a minor amount of at least one other copolymerizable monomer in the presence of a polyhydric alcohol initiator and 2) the reaction product obtained by mixing polyalkylene glycol and a coplymer of glycolide/lactide copolymer. The blend has many uses, including that of a coating for a surgical suture.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbable medical devices made totally or in part from a random polymer comprising glycolide, lactde and caprolactone are provided. The polymer can be fabricated into a monofilament which exhibits physical characteristics equivalent to or superior than gut sutures.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for securing a needle extending therethrough includes a post having a channel therein mounted to a base. The post is positioned in operative alignment with the needle mounted on the base. A locking member is associated with the post in operative alignment with the needle. The locking member defines an opening therethrough to receive the needle, and the locking member is operable between a needle receiving position wherein the needle may be inserted or removed from the locking member and a needle retaining position wherein the needle is retained in at least one direction of movement.

Abstract: An improved surgical stapling apparatus containing a locking mechanism to prevent reactuation of the apparatus, the locking mechanism comprising a resilient clip having a hook which is engagable with a locking notch on the cam bar retainer. The resilient clip is initially held in a non-engagable position by means of a movable chock. When the stapler is actuated for the first time, the cam bar retainer pushes the chock into a subsequent position where the chock no longer blocks the resilient clip. The resilient clip then moves to a position where the hook is engagable with the locking notch. Once the cam bar retainer is retracted it can no longer be reactuated.

Abstract: Chitosan/alginate post-surgical anti-adhesion barriers, methods of preventing post-surgical adhesions, and methods and devices for forming post-surgical anti-adhesion barriers are provided. An aqueous solution of chitosan and a complexing agent, and an aqueous solution of alginate are combined to form an anti-adhesion barrier at a site of surgical intervention. A medicinal agent may optionally be incorporated.

Abstract: A surgical biopsy apparatus is provided which includes a housing; a first elongated tubular member removably mounted in the housing and defining a fluid passageway therein, the first elongated tubular member including: a tapered closed distal end portion adapted to penetrate tissue; a laterally disposed tissue receiving opening formed near the tapered distal end which includes a tissue support surface defining a plurality of holes in fluid communication with the fluid passageway; and a second elongated tubular member rotatably and reciprocatingly disposed coaxially about the first elongated tubular member, the second elongated tubular member having a cutting edge formed at an open distal end thereof and a lateral tissue discharge port formed proximally of the cutting edge.

Abstract: A method for loading a needle-suture combination into a package includes the steps of positioning the needle in the base portion of the package, and laying down a major portion of the suture between two V-shaped guides so as to preferably form a suture coil having generally figure 8 shaped loops. Winding pins can be used to facilitate the winding of the suture into a coiled configuration. The cover portion of the package is attached to the base by snap lock engagement. The loaded package can be thereafter be sealed in an envelope and sterilized.