Abstract: A cutting blade for a surgical morcellator has a distal end and a sharpened cutting edge situated at the distal end for transecting tissue to form tissue morsels, the cutting blade being structured to minimize contact between the sharpened edge and a tissue grasping instrument used with the morcellator during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A cutting blade for a morcellator has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface, each of which at least partially resides respectively in concentric first and second cylindrical planes. The blade sidewall further includes a beveled or sloped surface that extends from the inner surface toward the outer surface to define a sharpened edge situated in the second cylindrical plane in which the outer surface of the cutting blade sidewall resides. The sloped surface is provided to protect the sharpened edge of the morcellator blade when it is not obvious to a surgeon operating the morcellator that a tenaculum used to grasp anatomical tissue at the surgical site may have its tissue grasping claws spread to such an extent that the claws may contact the cutting blade of the morcellator.

Abstract: With the foregoing in mind, the stent as described in this invention comprises a plurality of expandable cells. The cells are arranged circumferentially about the stent so that the stent in an unexpanded condition has a generally cylindrical construction and the expandable cells contain at least one metal bridge and at least one other circumferential arrangement of cells, and the bridge is initially arranged in a folded condition in the stent. When the cells expand, the bridge lengthens to a generally straight configuration. This straight configuration forms an arc of a circle about the cylindrical expandable stent. Ideally, there are multiple bridge connections made so that the stent has a full circumferential solid cross section along at least a portion of the cylindrical device.

Abstract: A stent which may be emplaced into the lumen of the body. The stent has an expandable first section with a first diameter and an expanded second diameter larger than its first diameter. There is also a second section connected to the first section, the second section contains a third diameter and an expanded fourth diameter which is larger than the third diameter. Finally, the second diameter is different from the fourth diameter. Thus, the device may be emplaced between lumens of different sizes. Ideally, this stent can be placed at the junction at the aorta and the iliac arteries, where the size of the lumens are typically different. In use, therefore, the device provides the surgeon with a useful tool to holding open junctions of various sized lumens.

Abstract: A stent which may be emplaced into the lumen of the body. The stent has an expandable first section with a first diameter and an expanded second diameter larger than its first diameter. There is also a second section connected to the first section, the second section contains a third diameter and an expanded fourth diameter which is larger than the third diameter. Finally, the second diameter is different from the fourth diameter. Thus, the device may be emplaced between lumens of different sizes. Ideally, this stent can be placed at the junction at the aorta and the iliac arteries, where the size of the lumens are typically different. In use, therefore, the device provides the surgeon with a useful tool to holding open junctions of various sized lumens.

Abstract: An improved surgical fastener system comprising parallel rows of staples and receivers with the receivers connected to adjacent receivers by a plurality of linkages.

Abstract: An improved surgical fastener system comprising staples and receivers with flanges on the staple legs interlocking with openings in the receiver.Each staple is of polymeric material and U-shaped with a pair of parallel legs joined by a bridging member. Each leg is tapered from a large cross section at the bridging member to a pointed end. There are at least two spaced flanges on each leg with the area between those flanges being cut away. Each flange extends only part way around the circumference of a leg.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying tissue fasteners. The instrument includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw mounted on a support body. The jaws are placed on the opposite sides of the tissue to be joined. The instrument includes means for holding the tissue between the jaws while the fasteners are being applied and to provide rigidity between the jaws.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying two-piece fasteners to tissue to be joined. The instrument includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw mounted on a support body. The U-shaped staple portions of the fasteners are held in the movable jaw by friction means.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism is provided for a hand-operated surgical instrument having at least one operating member. The operating member is engaged by or extends from a flexible pusher member wound at least partially around the circumference of a drum and secured thereto. A pinion is connected to the drum for rotation therewith and is driven by a gear segment on a handle that is pivotally monted to the instrument. A full stroke compelling mechanism is associated with the drum for preventing return of the handle to the unactuated position unless and until the operating member has been moved through the full design range of movement.