Abstract: Method for introducing and maintaining a level of negative pressure in a body cavity of at least 80 mmHg using a tube having an elongate distal portion and a proximal portion having first and second arms, each arm having a lumen in flow communication with one another and with the body cavity via apertures at or near the distal end of the tube, wherein the first arm or tubular extension therefrom is adaptable to receive suction from a suction source. An indicator, arranged in relation to the second arm, signals when a specific negative pressure has been exceeded in the tube, or a valve, arranged in relation to the second arm, admits ambient air into the lumen of the second arm when suction is applied to the tube and differential air pressure between the air in the lumens of the tube and ambient air exceeds a specified amount.

Abstract: Viscera retainer which facilitates wound closure, for example, in the abdominal region, includes a body portion containing a tear seam. The body portion is inserted into the wound prior to closure to act as a physical barrier between the peritoneum and the viscera. A free extension of the body, or an attachment to the body, remains accessible outside the wound while a membranous layer of the abdominal wall is closed. When that closure is almost complete, the body portion is withdrawn from the abdomen by extracting it as a continuous ribbon through an opening. As the ribbon is withdrawn, the body tears along the tear seam generating free ribbon and shrinking the size of the residual body, until the entire body is removed from the abdominal cavity. The closure is then completed. A surgical drain has a planar body portion formed from a wound or wrapped tubular form having perforations in the body portion.

Abstract: Anastomotic leak tester for testing for leaks in a gastrointestinal anastomosis in a patient including an air introduction system adapted to be inserted into the patient's gastrointestinal tract through a natural body orifice of the patient and enabling air flow therethrough into the gastrointestinal tract and a regulating mechanism arranged in connection with the air introduction system for regulating air pressure in the patient's gastrointestinal tract. The regulating mechanism may include a pressure relief valve having an inlet communicating with an interior space of the air introduction system communicating with the patient's gastrointestinal tract and which allows air to be released from the patient's gastrointestinal tract when air pressure in the patient's gastrointestinal tract exceeds a predetermined pressure. The pressure relief valve may generate an audible indication when air pressure in the patient's gastrointestinal tract exceeds the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: Prosthetic screen tacking device including a filament with at least one barb and one or more of a perpendicular foot at one end, a loop at the other end and a needle at the other end. When a needle and loop are present, the loop is situated between the barbs and the needle. The barbs are situated near the foot and angulated to permit movement of the device through a prosthetic screen and body tissue in one direction, but prevent movement in the opposite direction toward the foot. When the loop, or another form of an expanded portion of the filament, is present, it prevents the premature retrograde dislodgement of the filament from the abdominal wall after the loop has been forwardly passed through the abdominal wall and before the barbs engage with the abdominal wall. Methods of using the device with and without an associated button are disclosed.

Abstract: Stapler, in particular for hemorrhoidal use, includes a body, an elongate, fixed jaw part connected to the body and including a curved anvil defining staple-forming pockets and a curved portion defining an opening bound on lateral and longitudinal sides, an actuating jaw part including a curved staple driver and optionally a cutting knife, a trigger coupled to the body for actuating the actuating jaw part and an adjustment mechanism for moving the actuating jaw part to vary a longitudinal dimension of the opening defined between a staple cartridge and the anvil. When the actuating jaw part is actuated by the trigger, the staple driver forces staple blanks in the staple cartridge into staple-forming pockets of the anvil to form staples in tissue retained in the opening, while the cutting knife, when present, amputates the tissue.

Abstract: Colonic lavage device including a tubular body having a forward portion with an opening at a front end and a rearward portion including an integral seal defining an opening. A side tube includes an outlet for fecal matter discharge thereby defining a passage from the opening at the front end of the forward portion to the outlet. An integral nipple or end cap closes the seal opening. The forward portion is inserted into a patient's bowel and an irrigating tube is passed through the seal, once the nipple or end cap is cut off, to a position beyond the front end of the forward portion and in the bowel. Irrigating fluid is passed through the irrigating tube to cleanse the bowel and fecal matter from the bowel flows through the tubular body and is discharged therefrom through the side tube outlet, e.g, to a discharge tube leading to a container.

Abstract: Colorectal lavage device including a drain assembly, and a colonic tube assembly including an inflow tube, a flow control mechanism to control flow through the inflow tube, an outflow tube and a flow control mechanism to control flow through the outflow tube. The drain assembly has a tubular body defining an interior space and having a proximal portion insertable into an anus of a person to cause the anus to constrict around the proximal portion and thereby seal the proximal portion against the anal wall, a distal portion including a distal end having an opening in line with an opening in the proximal portion and a side tube arranged at an angle to the proximal portion. The inflow tube passes through the tubular body and has a tip with one or more apertures through which the lavage fluid operatively flows. The outflow tube is connected to the side tube.

Abstract: A surgical prosthesis including a sheet formed of one or more layers of a thin flexible material suitable to promote or prevent biological tissue adherence thereto and a grid formed of intersecting lines provided on at least one main surface of the sheet. The grid helps the surgeon trim the prosthesis to proper size, deploy the prostheses into optimal position and fix the prosthesis with optimal alignment and tension. The prosthesis may be used as a hernia patch.

Abstract: Method for draining and decompressing a colon in which a drainage tube is inserted through the anus into the colon to extend through the entire colon. The drainage tube is fixed in position and suction is applied therethrough to cause fecal matter to pass therein through apertures and be withdrawn from the colon. The drainage tube is inserted by inserting a guidewire into the colon through the anus, manipulating and pushing the guidewire to the cecum, passing a filament through the colon wall to engage the guidewire, pulling the guidewire out of the colon and anus to draw the filament through the colon and out of the anus, attaching the drainage tube to the filament and drawing the filament with attached drainage tube through the anus into the colon. The invention also relates to constructions of the guidewire, the drainage tube and methods for inserting drainage tubes using guidewires.

Abstract: Guidewire for use in body cavity irrigation devices includes an elongate, resilient shaft adapted to pass in an interior of or along an irrigating tube and a bulbous enlargement arranged at a distal end of the shaft. The bulbous enlargement has a smooth, arcuate outer surface to prevent perforation of the walls of the body cavities in which it moves. For colonic irrigation, the guidewire is inserted into the colon and then the irrigating tube is slid over or along the guidewire. Fluid is directed through the irrigating tube to the treatment site or sites in the colon.

Abstract: Drain tube for colonic irrigation including a rigid body having a tubular portion and a side arm extending from a side of the tubular portion. The tubular portion has a proximal end adapted to be inserted into a bowel and a distal end through which an irrigation tube is inserted. The body is formed to be rigid and transparent via an injection molding process. The transparency of the body enables the effluent through the side arm to be visualized so that the colonic irrigation can be stopped when the effluent is clear. Additional improvements to a drain tube and method for using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Air introduction device for anastomotic leak testing including an elastomeric body optimally configured for partial insertion into the rectum, occlusion of the anus and attachment to a commercially available insufflation bulb. The air introduction device may be dip molded in one piece to form a single use, disposable product. The body has a proximal portion insertable into an anus of a person to cause the anus to constrict around it and form a seal against the anal wall, a distal portion mating with the insufflation bulb to enable air to be directed therefrom into and through the body and an expanded portion which is larger than the proximal portion and interposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The expanded portion occludes the anus by engaging with the anal opening to limit insertion of the proximal portion into the anus and seal the body against the anal opening.

Abstract: A prosthetic screen tacking device includes a barbed filament with a perpendicular foot at one end and a swaged needle at the other. The barbs are situated near the foot and angulated in such a manner that they permit movement of the device through tissue in one direction (toward the needle), but prevent movement in the opposite direction (toward the foot). Methods of using the device and an improved barb are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic screen tacking device includes a barbed filament with a perpendicular foot at one end and a loop at the other. The barbs are situated near the foot and angulated in such a manner that they permit movement of the device through tissue in one direction (toward the loop), but prevent movement in the opposite direction (toward the foot). Different barbs and feet are shown. Methods of using the device with or without an associated button are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for unidirectional irrigation of at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract between a point of access thereto and a distant or remote point of the tract. The distal end of an irrigating tube is passed through a point of access to the gastrointestinal tract to a distant point in the tract beyond which irrigation is not desired. The irrigating tube has one or more apertures formed therein only in the region substantially proximate to the distal end thereof. In the case where the portion of the tract being irrigated is not already occluded at the distant point, the tract is then occluded at that point whereupon irrigant is introduced into the irrigating tube through a proximal end thereof whereby the irrigant passes through the irrigating tube and is discharged therefrom through the aperture into the gastrointestinal tract at the region of the occluded distant point thereof and flows unidirectionally through the tract towards and out from the point of access.