Abstract: To facilitate the production of a surgical vascular clip having two arms with clamping jaws, the arms being resiliently pressable against each other and meeting at an end section of the clip, and also having a tensioning section adjoining the end section in the direction towards the clamping jaws and being surrounded by a ring displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the tensioning section, it is proposed that the arms with the clamping jaws, the tensioning section and the end section be designed as a one-piece component.

Abstract: In order to stimulate the formation of new tissues in extensive and deep wounds, the tissues are eased by exerting a traction force on the tissue with a vertical force component in relation to the plane of the wound. If the wound is vacuum sealed by a plastic foil (F), traction may be exerted through the foil (F). If a distractor that acts in the plane of the wound is set at the wound edges, the vertical traction component may be exerted on the edges of the wound by this distractor. The vertical traction component is generated through turnbuckles (70).

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a pair of pivotally connected arms defining a pair of opposed jaws, a hollow suture needle mounted on a first of the jaws and provided with a slot, and a length of suture material extending through the hollow needle. The hollow needle has a first open end mounted on the first jaw and a second open end defining a tissue penetrating point, the first and second open ends being connected by the slot. A groove is preferably formed along an outer surface of the first jaw so that a portion of the suture material can be disposed within the groove and, when provided, the groove preferably communicates with the first open end of the hollow suture needle. The slot and groove each have a width to prevent the suture material from inadvertently falling out while permitting deliberate removal of the suture material via the slot or groove by application of force so that suturing of anatomical tissue can be performed with tissue held between jaws of the instrument.

Abstract: A suture for use in a laparoscopic suturing device comprising a suture having a first and second end. The first end being attached to a surgical needle and the second end being attached to a retainer wherein the adjacent to the retainer there is a stiffened segment of the suture.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar. The medical apparatus also includes a sleeve having a number of sealing members extending therefrom, and a passageway extending therethrough, with the trocar assembly being positioned within the passageway of the sleeve. The medical apparatus further includes a sealing member which defines a flexible, gas impervious bag having an interior void and a charge of beads confined within the interior void. The medical apparatus still further includes a lock member, and a sealing member having a biologically active compound disposed thereon. The sleeve is positionable within an opening defined in a wall of a body cavity.

Abstract: An atraumatic needle intended for use in surgical suturing machines has a shaft curved in a defined manner and is provided with a cutting tip located on the outer radius of curvature of the shaft.

Abstract: This invention provides an articulated surgical instrument for use in laparoscopic surgical procedures including, in general; a handle, an elongated shaft, and an articulating tip. The instrument further includes a proximal rod, a desensitizing link, and a distal rod. The proximal rod is disposed in the shaft for reciprocating movement between a proximal position and a distal position. The distal end of the proximal rod is coupled to the desensitizing link at a first pivot point. The desensitizing link is disposed within the shaft for rotational movement about a second pivot point in response to the reciprocating movement of the proximai rod. The proximal end of the distal rod is coupled to the desensitizing link at a third pivot point.

Abstract: Absorbable mixtures are fabricated from a predominant component of fatty acid ester mixed with a copolymer comprising a predominant amount of epsilon-caprolactone and a minor amount of at least one other copolymerizable monomer of other bioabsorbable monomers. These mixtures are useful in forming coating for surgical articles, including multifilament sutures.

Abstract: A surgical clip with advantageous closure characteristics is disclosed which includes a bail portion having first and second back portions joined at an apex, and rectilinear leg portions extending from the back portions. The apex is preferably characterized by an angle of no more than about 100.degree.. Preferably the outer surface of at least one back portion includes a compression ridge to concentrate the compression force applied by the jaws of the applying instrument to a preselected region of the clip. The legs retain their parallelism while the clip is being closed. Additional features include interlocking ridges and/or projections on one of the legs which engage corresponding recesses on the other leg to enhance clip retention on tissue and to help minimize twisting and/or scissoring of the clip legs during closure.

Abstract: An improved suture anchor is formed from body tissue. The body tissue is shaped to a desired configuration for the anchor and defines a passage through the anchor. A suture is inserted into the passage in the body tissue of the anchor. The anchor is then positioned in a patient's body with a suture extending into the passage in the anchor. The anchor may be formed of osseous body tissue, hard compact bone, dense connective body tissue, or other body tissue. The body tissue may be dried so that it absorbs fluid and expands upon being inserted into a patient's body.

Abstract: An automated stitching device having a "C"-shaped arcuate needle which is incrementally advanced in a circular path. A toggle and drive plate arrangement is used to drive the needle, and a one-way clutch mechanism is used to engage and permit incremental advancement of the needle along its circular path. The "C"-shaped arcuate needle is mounted and driven at the distal end of an elongated shaft. The stitching device is particularly suited for microsurgery, laparoscopic surgery, and various less invasive surgical procedures, and particularly for the suturing of blood vessels including during cardiac bypass surgery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating use of a threaded suture anchor in combination with a reusable cannulated anchor driver. The device enables a suture anchor to be preassembled with a suture so that a user need not assemble a suture anchor with suture immediately prior to use. The preassembled anchor/suture is provided with a suture stiffening or support means by which the free ends of the suture may be easily threaded into the axial bore of a cannulated driver. The stiffening means may comprise an elongated rod abuttingly joined to the free ends of suture (threaded through a suture anchor) and secured thereto by a length of shrinkable tubing frictionally engaging the free ends of the suture and one end of the rod.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a rod partially covered by an elongate tube. A guide containing a one way slot is mounted to an end of the rod; a similar guide is mounted to the same end of the tube. The rod and tube may be rotated with respect to each other by manipulating an attached handle. A suturing needle with suture material attached may be fitted into a slot in one of the guides. Rotating the guides allows the needle to be passed between the needle guides, and the one way slot action allows the needle to be separated from one of the guides, so that the needle may passed around the device in an approximate circle. The device may be moved longitudinally as the needle is passed between the needle guides to form a series of stitches.

Abstract: A ligating instrument for forming ligatures in anatomical structure at an internal operative site in the body includes an elongate instrument body having a distal end for positioning at the operative site, a proximal end for positioning externally of the body and a lumen between the distal and proximal ends, a length of filamentous ligature material disposed in the lumen and forming a plurality of contractible ligature loops having knotting elements movable along the length of ligature material to contract the ligature loops and an operating member movable relative to the length of ligature material to move the knotting elements to contract the ligature loops. The ligature loops are withdrawable through the distal end of the instrument body for positioning around anatomical structure at the operative site. The operating member is movable, from externally of the body, to move the knotting elements to contract the ligature loops around the anatomical structure to form ligatures.

Abstract: A four-bar linkage for an articulation assembly adapted for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The first link is in the form of an actuation lever which pivots transversely to the longitudinal axis of the instrument. The second and third links are operatively connected to the first link. The fourth link is in the form of an end effector for the instrument, and it is rotatably attached to the second and third links for movement transverse to the longitudinal axis. When the first link is pivotally rotated, a driver assembly causes the second and third links to move in tandem generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument in opposite directions. Consequently, the end effector rotates in the same direction as that of the actuation lever from an unarticulated position to an articulated position. The four-bar linkage is simple and efficient, and eliminates the need for a conventional central pivot for the articulation joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure device (10) for closing an anatomical anomaly in the form of a vascular opening (80), such as patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, foramen ovale or ventricular septal defect, including a closure body (14) that extends at least within the vascular opening and wirelike, elastic locking members (30, 32, 34). In order to improve a fixation of the closure device and to preclude injuries, it is proposed that the locking members (30, 32, 34), on their free ends, be embodied spherically or in lentiform fashion or be provided with spherical or lentiform elements (40).

Abstract: To enable easier manufacturability of the clamping ring for a surgical clip comprising two arms which are elastically pivotable towards each other and each have one clamping jaw, an end section in which the arms meet, and located therebetween a tensioning section on which the clamping ring surrounding the arms is displaceable in the longitudinal direction, with a part connected to the clamping ring engaging between the arms, it is proposed that the clamping ring carry diametrically opposed projections integrally formed on the clamping ring and protruding inwardly into the area surrounded by the clamping ring.

Abstract: A ligating apparatus includes a first ligating member having an insertion portion to be inserted into a living body, and a holding member with a substantially C-shaped, unclosed loop portion having a gap section therein. The loop portion is capable of holding at least one of a litigation thread for forming a knot and a needle. A second ligating member has a manipulating device capable of holding at least one of the needle and an end portion of the ligation thread, and capable of being passed through the loop portion. When the loop portion holds the ligation thread and the manipulating device holds the end portion of the ligation thread, the second ligating member is cooperable with the first ligating member to form a knot in the ligation thread by passing the manipulating device through a knot forming loop defined by the ligation thread and the loop portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating use of a threaded suture anchor in combination with a reusable cannulated anchor driver. The device enables a suture anchor to be preassembled with a suture so that a user need not assemble a suture anchor with suture immediately prior to use. The preassembled anchor/suture is provided with a suture stiffening or support member by which the free ends of the suture may be easily threaded into the axial bore of a cannulated driver. The support member may comprise a length of shrinkable tubing frictionally engaging at least a portion of the free ends of the suture extending from the anchor. In another embodiment, the support means may comprise an elongated non-shrinkable material such as a rod attached to the suture and enabling the anchor/suture/rod assembly to be threaded into a cannulated driver simply by the force of gravity acting upon the rod.

Abstract: A device for engaging a heart valve prosthesis during implantation includes a mechanism for attaching the device to the heart valve prosthesis. The heart valve prosthesis includes a circular valve body having an annulus with a substantially annular aperture therein. At least one movable occluder is carried in the annulus and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The occluder is carried on a strut coupled to a valve body. The attachment mechanism includes a member which couples to the strut, thereby affixing the device to the heart valve prosthesis. The attachment mechanism may be actuated to disengage the heart valve prosthesis.