Abstract: A helical fastener having a high retentive surface area is provided and has a first end for enhancing penetration into tissue and a second end comprising a coil sectioning a diameter of the fastener for receiving longitudinal and rotational forces. The helical fasteners are attached to body tissue by a fastener applicator having a proximal portion comprising a handle and an actuator and an elongate distal portion for housing a plurality of fasteners. A transferring action of the actuator provides longitudinal and rotational movement of the fasteners out of the distal portion and into body tissue.

Abstract: A device for minimizing displacements of the heart when performing a beating heart surgical procedure including two heart engaging members. The heart engaging members are slidably coupled to a retractor. The heart engaging members may be rotated and extended as necessary to reach the target site on the patient's heart. The heart engaging members have curved distal ends which are configured to engage a coronary shunt positioned in the coronary artery. A suture extends around the coronary and is coupled to the heart engaging members.

Abstract: A laparoscopic ligation clip applicator for automatically applying a plurality of ligation clips includes a handle assembly having an actuator, an elongated shaft connected to the handle assembly, and an actuating mechanism disposed within the shaft. The actuating mechanism includes a clamp for engaging a first piece of the ligation clip and a slidable driver for driving a second piece of the ligation clip relative to the first piece. The actuating mechanism also includes a hold for preventing rearward movement of the ligation clips, and an advancer for sequentially feeding the ligation clips. A slidable cam, operably connected to the handle assembly, actuates the clamp, the driver and the advancer.

Abstract: An improved suturing device and method is provided. The suturing device is of the type including a guide body and means on the guide body for translating at least one needle relative to the guide body. The suturing device is improved by providing a rotatable sleeve disposed over at least a distal portion of the guide body to facilitate introduction of the device to a puncture site.

Abstract: A fixation device and apparatus for inserting the fixation device securely into a bore in an element, e.g. bone. The apparatus is a hand held device having an actuating mechanism and a longitudinally extending member coupled to the hand held device adapted to hold the fixation device at a distal end. The fixation device has a plurality of engaging members adapted to be moved outwardly when the fixation device is inserted into the bore to secure the fixation device in the bore. The extending member has an operating member coupled to the fixation device for exerting a force on the fixation device tending to cause the engaging members to extend outwardly to engage the wall of the bore. The operating member is releasably coupled to the fixation device so that once the fixation device is installed, the hand-held insertion apparatus can be removed. In one embodiment, the fixation device is releasably held by a forceps of the hand held device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for delivering tissue adhesives and/or sealant patches to a surface which covers or surrounds a perforation in a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity, within a human or other animal. Also disclosed is a method of delivering tissue adhesives and/or sealant patches to a surface which covers or surrounds a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity. The method is particularly suited to sealing perforations in vascular walls, such as after arterial access for Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), Percutaneous Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Atherectomy and other diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for gripping and applying tension to and closing separated skin edges as needed to suture a wound.

Abstract: Presented is a metallic cannulated rivet adapted for implantation in a bone mass through use of arthroscopic or open surgery for attachment of soft tissue thereto. The rivet in a first configuration is implanted, following which, a portion of the implanted rivet projecting from the bone site and penetrating the soft tissue is reformed in situ to clamp the soft tissue to the bone site. In a second aspect, the invention comprises the method and instrumentalities for effecting implantation of the rivet and reformation thereof in situ to mechanically clamp the soft tissue to the bone site. The method includes forming a small portal or incision to expose and prepare the bone site, torn or severed soft tissue is mobilized to intimately contact the bone site, the soft tissue is retained in proper position and a K-wire is advanced through the portal to penetrate the soft tissue and the bone mass to a predetermined depth and mark the point of implantation of the cannulated rivet.

Abstract: A clip, clip applier and method for ligating a tissue structure is provided. The applier has a two stage actuation. In the first stage, a tissue structure is positioned into the jaws of the clip applier The jaws close and lock to a preset force to compress and temporarily occlude the tissue structure. If satisfactorily positioned, the second stage is initiated in which a clip is advanced through the shaft of the clip applier in a closed position. At the distal end of the clip applier, the clip is opened slightly to capture the pre-compressed tissue structure, and is placed over the structure. The clip is then dissociated from the business end of the instrument. Preferably the clip comprises two leg members disposed in close proximity to one another joined from opposing directions by a connecting element. The connecting element restricts separation of the leg members with opposing spring members so as to provide substantially uniform parallel deflection of the leg members from each other.

Abstract: An elongated suture anchor driver having a suture retaining means at its proximal end. The driver receives a suture anchor at its distal tip and has a throughbore for enabling suture attached to the suture anchor to pass through the driver from its distal end to its proximal end. The proximal end of the driver is provided with a channel and a fixed post for guiding the suture exiting from the throughbore into an annular recess. A spring loaded slidable cylindrical sleeve acts against the suture in the recess to frictionally retain the suture, thereby securing the suture anchor and suture within the driver.

Abstract: A suture needle guide and a method of use therefor. A suture needle guide comprises a needle guide member connected to a manually-graspable handle. The needle guide member is inserted, via an arteriotomy, into the lumen of a host blood vessel. The needle guide member includes a portion which is shaped to guide a suture needle so that anastomosis can be more accurately and easily performed, compared to free-handed suturing.

Abstract: A helical fastener having a high retentive surface area is provided and has a first end for enhancing penetration into tissue and a second end comprising a coil sectioning a diameter of the fastener for receiving longitudinal and rotational forces. The helical fasteners are attached to body tissue by a fastener applicator having a proximal portion comprising a handle and an actuator and an elongate distal portion for housing a plurality of fasteners. A transferring action of the actuator provides longitudinal and rotational movement of the fasteners out of the distal portion and into body tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The apparatus includes a handle and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the handle and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage magazine is provided for storing a plurality of surgical staples at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section. The staple storage magazine is pivotable between a first position in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic section and a second position at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis. An elongated pusher system is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally. A trigger mechanism is provided to actuate the pusher.

Abstract: Post catheterization arterial bleeding is reduced by introduction of a fibrin sealant, prepared from fibrinogen and thrombin, into the periarterial tissue surround the arteriotomy through which the catheter was inserted. The fibrin sealant is introduced as the catheter is withdrawn, which introduction may be accompanied by local pressure. The fibrin sealant, prepared from fibrinogen and thrombin, clots or "sets" to form a fibrin seal, reducing arterial bleeding and post catheterization difficulties.

Abstract: A medical anchor device for implantation into a bone of a patient includes a staple having a leading, bone-boring tip for self-tapping a hole, a trailing, driven end for receiving implanting force to self-tap and implant said staple into the bone of a patient, and an attached suture thread. The staple has a longitudinal axis which passes through the tip and the driven end, the longitudinal axis changing shape upon implantation of the staple into a bone. A method of treating a patient includes ejecting and implanting the staple comprising a suture thread secured thereto into a bone by self-tapping a hole in the bone and securing the suture thread to a portion of the body's anatomy.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying surgical clips which includes provisions for applying a partially closed clip to ducts or shunts during a surgical procedure. The apparatus includes a ratchet mechanism for permitting incremental closure of a pair of jaw members. A slide member is associated with the ratchet mechanism to prevent a movable handle from opening during a closing stroke until the closing stroke is completed.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring force systems is provided. The device measures and displays one or more components of a force system generated by medical or dental appliances or body tissues. The invention provides a probe or attachment device for engaging the structure to be measured, such as orthodontic springs, wires, and appliances; surgical fixation devices; and body tissue. The probe transmits the force system produced by the structure to a sensor bar which is attached to the probe. The sensor bar resolves the force system being measured into electrical signals. A device is used to display representations of the electrical signals.

Abstract: A device for the surgical suturing of narrow incisions that penetrate through a plurality of tissue layers includes a needle having the shape of an elongated "J." The device further includes a slidable locking member that serves the dual purpose of blocking the tip of the suture needle and also of preventing gas leakage out of the body cavity during the suturing procedure in order to maintain pneumoperitoneum.

Abstract: A suture passer comprises a longitudinally extending hollow cannula having a central passage slidingly receivable of a surgical suture; a manually graspable handle connected to the hollow cannula for manipulation thereof, the handle having an upper surface; first guide member, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate a distal end of the handle for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture; second guide member, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate to the first guide member, for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture. The suture passer can be provided in a kit, for use in the suturing of internal tissue, along with a cannula bender, various hollow surgical needles and surgical suture material. The suture passer finds particular use in the suturing of internal tissues which are at least partially accessible through a body cavity, e.g. arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: This document discloses a ligating clip applier which initially closes and locks a pair of complementary jaws around tissue to be ligated allowing the isolation of tissue for inspection, with the option to reposition, to ensure appropriate ligation. Upon further activation, a U-shaped clip having a flat crown perpendicular to a pair of parallel legs with rounded ends is advanced into the locked jaws of the instrument and converged around the isolated tissue until ligation is completed.