Abstract: An occlusion clamp and an applicator for applying the occlusion clamp to body tissue is provided. The occlusion clamp applicator includes a housing having a proximal end having a first opening, a distal end having a second opening, and a pair of finger gripping members. The housing defines a channel which extends between the first and second openings. A plunger is partially positioned within the channel and extends through the first opening. The distal end of the plunger is operably connected to a jaw mechanism which is also slidably positioned within the channel. The jaw mechanism includes a pair of resilient shank portions, each having a distally located jaw member which extends through the second housing opening. Each shank portion also includes a cam surface which engages the distal end of the channel when the plunger is retracted to move the jaw members from a position in spaced relation with each other to a position relatively close in relation with each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated cannula and vascular clamp assembly. The integrated cannula and vascular clamp assembly includes a pair of clamping members made of a physiologically acceptable material that are pivotally coupled to a cannula for movement between an open position for at least partially surrounding a portion of a blood vessel section to be occluded and a clamping position for compressing the blood vessel with pressure sufficient to occlude blood flow through the section.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a self-expanding prosthesis into a delivery sheath includes a substantially cylindrical cartridge for receiving the prosthesis and a cartridge un-loading device for removing the prosthesis from the cartridge and loading it into a delivery sheath. The cartridge is provided with an exterior radial key at one end. The unloading device includes a substantially cylindrical member having an interior stationary coaxial piston extending substantially its entire length and an exterior sliding ring. The cylindrical member is provided with a radial slot which restricts movement of the sliding ring, and a stepped internal stop at one end. The stepped internal stop has a radial keyway which is dimensioned to receive the key on the cartridge. The sliding ring is provided with a radial pin which resides in the radial slot in the cylindrical member and which couples the sliding ring to an interior key engaging member with a locking keyway dimensioned to engage the key on the cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transplantation method and cutting device of a sandwich-type tissue laminate. The transplantation method comprises: removing a tissue, e.g. a retina, encapsulating the removed tissue, holding and lifting a sandwich-type tissue laminate, transplanting the sandwich-type tissue laminate and suturing wound. The cutting device comprises: a body, a trephine, a power switch, a revolving member, a display, a detector and a disposable knife. By using the transplantation method and cutting device, the transplanted tissue can work normally, the operation becomes safer and more beneficial. The sandwich-type tissue transplantation can be made promptly and efficiently during the tissue transplantation operation.

Abstract: A device for expansion within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. The device comprises a first elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the first elongate tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The expansile member has a predetermined configuration in the expanded position. A deformable membrane covers the expansile member and is sized so as to be capable of overlying and underlying the expansile member in the expanded position. Deployment means are carried by the proximal extremity of the first elongate tubular member and are adapted to be operated by the human hand for controlling movement of the expansile member between the contracted and expanded positions.

Abstract: Installation for a blade suture clip for osteological removal for treatment of the inflammation of the knee joint. The instrument consists of a positioning-reduction frame presenting an opening meant to position a piercing block in order to create holes allowing the installation of the blade suture clip. The opening is limited by two proximal edges and two distal edges, and two lateral edges presenting an extension similar to that of the blade suture clip. The proximal part of each of the lateral edges contains superimposed holes to position the positioning reduction frame by means of pins, while the distal edge contains a hole designed for the passage of the proximal bit of a tightening instrument allowing adjustment of compression while the distal bit is introduced in a hole pierced in the tibia under the distal edge of the positioning-reduction frame at a certain distance.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes laterally opposing members, an end effector having opposing jaws movable with respect to each other, a resilient member operably biasing the laterally opposing members away from each other, and an improved ratchet locking device. The ratchet locking device includes a first toothed plate mounted on one of the laterally opposing members, and a second toothed plate pivotally mounted on the other laterally opposing member. The second toothed member is pivotable between a first position in which the plates are engaged and a second position in which the plates are disengaged. A spring member is used for biasing the plates into engagement. A release member is provided for retaining the toothed plates in a disengaged position. The release member is mounted on one of the laterally opposing members and includes a cam surface engagable with a follower on one of the toothed plates.

Abstract: A suture block is a device used to secure surgical sutures, without using knots. By securing the thread with a suture block, it is possible to close a suture in a contact with the tissue, without damaging or mortifying the latter, and without provoking icchemia in the tissue which is compressed by the loop of thread needed to tie a traditional surgical knot. This means that the surgeon no longer has to change the disposition of the operational field at each knot and can avoid having to put down the forceps or the needle-holder, in order to tie a normal knot, thereby saving time. Moreover, far less thread is required and most importantly, the pain caused by the knotted thread damaged and constricts the tissue, is significantly reduced.

Abstract: In a surgical staple remover, the combination comprises multiple parts having operative interconnection, and relatively movable to retract a removed staple from a tissue zone; and a storage zone toward which removed staples are retracted for storage in response to relative movement of parts, a storage zone carried by at least one of the parts.

Abstract: A device and procedure for suturless and wall-eversion free vascular and ducts anastomosis. The device comprises first and second annular emiprotheses formed to embrace and hold the ends of a pair of vessels or ducts. The emiprotheses are connected so that the vessel or ducts ends have a maximum exposure to blood in their interior.

Abstract: An asymmetrical obturator adapted to be coupled with a trocar and to provide the trocar with characteristics for penetrating tissue forming a body wall. The obturator includes an elongate shaft which extends along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the shaft includes a first and a second longitudinal shaft portions, the first of which is distally configured with a sharp edge. The second shaft portion generally opposes the first shaft portion and is configured with a blunt distal tip. The first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are longitudinally slidable relative to each other between a cutting position and a safety position. In the cutting position, the second shaft portion is moved proximally relative to the first shaft portion to expose the sharp edge of the first shaft portion. In the safety position, the second shaft portion is moved distally relative to the first shaft portion to cover the sharp edge of the first shaft portion.

Abstract: A surgical mesh stabilizer including a cannula having a proximal cannula end and a distal cannula end, a stylet having a proximal stylet end and a distal stylet end, a hook on the distal stylet end, the stylet being slidably mounted in the cannula and movable between a remote position wherein the proximal stylet end is remote from the proximal cannula end and the hook is sheathed within the distal cannula end and a near position wherein the proximal stylet end is near the proximal cannula end and the hook is unsheathed from the distal cannula end, a disc slidably mounted on the distal cannula end, a hub fixedly mounted on the proximal cannula end and a spring extending between the hub and the disc.

Abstract: The endoscopic instrument comprises two working parts provided at the distal end region of an elongate shank, of which at least one is pivotingly movable relative to the other, and is provided with handle at the proximal end region of the shank for actuating at least one of the working parts via an actuation rod running in the shank, wherein the working parts in the region of their pivoting mounting submit to a spring force for pressing these parts onto one another. For achieving an exact bearing force of the working parts on one another and an increased security against their damage during use of the instrument the shank at its distal end is provided with a fork-shaped holder with two resilient distal fork arms producing the pressing force onto the working parts, whose at least one fork arm comprises a receiver bore.

Abstract: To allow easy replacement of tools in a surgical punch with a tubular shaft, the distal end of which forms an annular cutting edge, a cutting member is mounted for longitudinal displacement in relation to the shaft, interacts with a cutting edge, and is held on an advancing element mounted for displacement in the shaft. An actuating member, arranged at the proximal end of the shaft, displaces the advancing element in the shaft. The cutting member is releasably connected to the advancing element and/or a sleeve bearing the cutting edge to the shaft. The releasable connections are provided using radially and elastically displaceable projections or detents on one part which engage behind recesses on the other part in a locking position and thereby secure the parts inserted into one another in an axial direction against any separation.

Abstract: A method of anatomical tissue ligation includes the steps of introducing a distal end of an anatomical tissue ligation instrument assembly at an internal operative site in a patient's body, grasping anatomical tissue at the internal operative site with a grasping member of the anatomical tissue ligation instrument assembly disposed at the distal end, positioning a contractible ligature loop formed of a length of filamentous ligature material of the anatomical tissue ligation instrument assembly around the anatomical tissue while the anatomical tissue remains grasped by the grasping member external of the distal end, contracting the ligature loop around the anatomical tissue to form a ligature and severing the length of ligature material proximally of the ligature to separate the ligature from the remainder of the length of ligature material.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus having tissue bolstering material releasably attached thereto for application of the material and staples to body tissue is disclosed. The tissue bolstering material is preferably releasably held to surfaces of the stapling apparatus through pins, clips or similar securing structures. The tissue bolstering material can be either planar or tubular in configuration. Preferably, both the anvil portion and the fastener ejecting portion of the stapler are at least partially covered with the tissue bolstering material. In use, tissue is disposed between the anvil portion and the stapling portion of the instrument and the instrument is fired. The tissue bolstering material is thereby secured to the tissue and releasably detaches from the stapler upon withdrawal of the stapler from the surgical site.

Abstract: A suture needle manipulating device having an elongated substantially cylindrical shaft. A slot for receiving a suture needle is configured in a distal end of the shaft, and a handle is suitably affixed to a proximal end of the shaft. In addition, the needle manipulating device includes a slidable sheath assembly affixed around the shaft and is configured to engage the suture needle when it is in an initial retracted position.When the needle is in the retracted position, the device with the needle can be inserted through an endoscopic portal. Once through the portal, the surgeon can then place the needle in an active, suturing position by retracting the sheath and applying tension to a suture attached to the suture needle. By applying tension to the suture, the swaged portion of the suture needle is retracted into a hollow cannula in the shaft until the needle becomes secured therein. At this point, the suture needle is extended and ready for suturing.

Abstract: A child's pacifier comprises an elongated member having a nipple portion protruding from a peripheral surface proximate to one end. The elongated member includes a flexible body having an oblong cross-section and a cloth covering wrapped around the flexible body. The nipple portion of a standard baby bottle nipple protrudes through a hole in the cloth covering.

Abstract: Surgical repairs of torn or ruptured tendons and ligaments are made by re-fastening the torn or ruptured tendon or ligament with a biocompatible or bioabsorbable hook-and-loop fastener.

Abstract: Method and device for sealing puncture wounds in a vascular walls wherein a cylinder of compliant material with a coating of hydrophilic material is placed with one end of the cylinder against the side wall of a vessel. Axial pressure is then applied to the other end of the cylinder to deform the cylinder and flatten it into a disk which increases in lateral dimension and becomes embedded in tissue over the wound. The hydrophilic material expands on the disk to seal the wound. A clot promoter in the coating reverses the effects of heparin and accelerates clot formation.