Abstract: A method of occluding a vessel, comprises forming an incision through tissue covering the vessel to expose a portion of the vessel and looping a first suture around the vessel such that ends of the first suture extend out of the incision in combination with closing the incision with the ends of the first suture protruding through the closed incision, placing a force distribution element over the incision and tightening the first suture over the force distribution element to form a kink in the vessel.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for anastomosis of first and second blood vessels includes a housing having distal and proximal ends, a handle and a disposable loading unit removably mounted to the distal end of the housing. The loading unit includes upper and lower fastener support members having a passage defined therethrough for receiving an end of the second blood vessel and configured to releasably support a plurality of surgical fasteners. The loading unit also includes a retractable anvil located at a distal end of the loading unit, the anvil being movable relative to the fastener support member in response to actuation of the handle to simultaneously deform the of surgical fasteners.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are endoscopic gastric restriction devices and methods. In one embodiment, the device generally includes a shaft having an end effector on a distal end thereof. The end effector includes several elongate segments that are coupled to one another and include opposed troughs formed therein. Each trough is configured to suction and pull tissue into the trough, as well as hold a fastener that can be delivered to tissue disposed within the trough. As a result, the end effector can deliver multiple fasteners to opposed walls of tissue. As the fasteners are delivered into tissue, the segments can be detached from the device, so that the end effector remains in the tissue. Over time, the end effector can be absorbed and/or dissolve, leaving the fasteners behind.

Abstract: A tissue staple that includes a pair of legs arranged generally parallel to one another connected by a pair of tabs. The tabs define an arc that extends distally from the proximal ends of the legs, and further define a slot between the tabs. The distal end of the leg may include a forked portion that defines two or more tissue piercing prongs. The location of the fork also may define a tissue stop. The legs may also include an indent that bends inwardly toward an indent formed on the other leg.

Abstract: A system for open or arthroscopic surgical repair of torn or damaged meniscal tissue has a repair member and an instrument. The repair member is a suture, flexible or rigid implant. The instrument has at a portion that is shaped to slide within a meniscal capsular tunnel. The meniscal capsular tunnel is an opening in the knee soft tissue passing from the anterior side of the knee adjacent to the mensical tissue to the posterior side of the knee in both the medial and lateral directions. The instrument interacts with the repair member to either insert it into the meniscus from the posterior side, or to facilitate securing of the repair member so that the repair member holds the meniscal tissue together on either side of a meniscal tear to foster healing of the damaged tissue.

Abstract: The device, designed to be fixed to the distal end of a fastener-positioning instrument, comprises a plane transverse distal end, a split first longitudinal channel and a second longitudinal channel, in which channels the anchoring bar and the stop bar of a fastener can slide, respectively. The device has a longitudinal bearing face that defines a half-space. The device further includes: a cam forming a stop/sliding surface for the distal end of the stop bar, in order to produce a pivoting movement of the stop bar; cams for the lateral splaying of the proximal part of the stop bar; and an escapement cam, allowing the lateral displacement of the distal part of the stop bar and its disengagement from the first cam.

Abstract: A surgical fastener apparatus is provided with a reinforcement material holder, where the holder positions a sheet of reinforcement material adjacent body tissue that is sutured by a plurality of surgical staples dispensed by the apparatus.

Abstract: An external incontinence clamp for stopping involuntary voiding of urine is provided. The clamp includes a first rigid member having opposed ends, each end defining a passage extending therethrough, a second rigid member having opposed ends, each end defining a passage extending therethrough, and two pins of generally u-shape. The pins are adapted to be received by the passages defined by the ends of the first rigid member and of the second rigid member so as to secure the first rigid member in a spaced and generally parallel relationship to the second rigid member. The penis is positioned between the first and second members so that the underside of the penis is in contact with the second member and the top surface of the penis is in contact with the first member, thereby stopping involuntary voiding of urine.