Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in laparoscopy is provided, comprising a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, a first end effector piece pivotably mounted to the tubular member near the distal end of the tubular member, a second end effector piece disposed near the distal end of the tubular member and being slidable relative to the tubular member, wherein a surgical item, such as a suture needle, may be received between the first end effector piece and the second end effector piece and may be rolled substantially axially by axial translation of the second end effector piece with respect to the first end effector piece. In one embodiment, the end effector pieces may be provided with depressions in their face surfaces. In another embodiment, the surgical instrument may also include a handle assembly having a control lever and a rotation actuator. The tubular member may also be rotatably mounted on the handle.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument with manual controls and single-handed design has a tubular barrel with a handle at its proximal end and an end effector at its distal end. A linkage extends through the tubular barrel and connects the handle with the end effector. The handle has a stationary finger loop, in fixed alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tubular barrel, and is designed to receive a middle finger. The handle also includes a thumb lever, a fingerwheel control and a rotate control. The thumb lever, operated by the thumb of the hand gripping the finger loop, actuates the end effector; the fingerwheel control, operated by the index finger of the hand gripping the finger loop, pivots the end effector; and the rotate control, which is also actuated by the same index finger, rotates the tubular barrel and attached end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a handle, barrel and working end effector tip is provided. The barrel is generally tubular, with one end being releasably connected to the handle. The end effector is moveably attached to the other end of the barrel, and may be positioned and operated independently through multiple linkage members connected to a motive power source housed in or attached to the handle. The instrument is operated and controlled by a microprocessor and multidimensional controller or electrical contacts included in the handle. In the preferred embodiment, the end effector is scissor-like, but other end effectors such as graspers, clamps, dissectors or needle drivers, with appropriate operating and linkage members, may be attached to the handle.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a handle, barrel and detachable end effector is provided. The barrel is generally tubular, with one end being connected to the handle. The end effector is releasably attached to the other end of the barrel, with jaws which may be pivoted, rotated and operated independently through multiple linkage members connected to a motive power source housed in or attached to the handle. The instrument is operated and controlled by a microprocessor and multidimensional controller or electrical contacts included in the handle. In the preferred embodiment, closing of jaws is manual with locking means; also, the end effector is scissor-like, but other end effectors such as graspers, clamps, dissectors or needle drivers, with appropriate operating and linkage members, may be attached to the handle.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a handle, barrel and working end effector tip is provided. The barrel is generally tubular, with one end being releasably connected to the handle. The end effector is movably attached to the other end of the barrel, and may be positioned and operated independently through multiple linkage members connected to a motive power source housed in or attached to the handle. The instrument is operated and controlled by a microprocessor and multidimensional controller or electrical contacts included in the handle. In the preferred embodiment, the end effector is scissor-like, but other end effectors such as graspers, clamps, dissectors or needle drivers, with appropriate operating and linkage members, may be attached to the handle.

Abstract: Hemostatic clips and surgical strips made of deformable and preferably absorbable material have opposite elongate portions readily locked or secured together when clamped over a vessel or other bodily part. The elongate portions have opposite facing surfaces provided with a plurality of flexible members comprised of Velcro-like or similar entangling configurations, which become entangled when the surfaces are pressed together over the vessel or other bodily part. Other configurations include one or more strips of deformable material having surfaces provided with flexible members capable of entanglement to form clips or bands useful in a variety of different surgical procedures.

Abstract: A surgical clip applying device having a main body, a clip magazine coupled to the main body for holding a plurality of clips, clip deforming jaws coupled to the main body for receiving and deforming clips, a clip loading mechanism for loading clips from the magazine to a clip feed blade which moves clips from the clip magazine to the deforming jaws, and a spring activated actuating mechanism. The clip loading mechanism includes a double ratchet apparatus coupled to a pawl for advancing the clips through the magazine. The actuating mechanism includes handle portions, a ratchet member having a cam follower which is coupled to a camming surface which is in turn coupled to one of the handle portions, a spring connected to the main body and the ratchet member, and a latch adapted to engage the ratchet member.

Abstract: A surgical clip applying device having a main body, a clip magazine coupled to the exterior of the main body for holding a plurality of clips, clip deforming jaws coupled to the main body for receiving and deforming clips, a clip feed blade for moving clips from the clip magazine to the deforming jaws, and a spring activated actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes handle portions, a ratchet member connected to the handle portions, a spring connected to the main body and the ratchet member, along with a latch adapted to engage the ratchet member. By movement of one of the handle portions with respect to the other handle portion energy is stored in the spring and retained therein via engagement of the latch with the ratchet member. In operation, a slight movement of one of the handle portions with respect to the other handle portion disengages the latch from the ratchet member so that the energy stored in the spring is converted into rapid forward movement of the clip feed blade.

Abstract: A surgical clip applying device having a main body, a clip magazine coupled to the main body for holding a plurality of clips, clip deforming jaws coupled to the main body for receiving and deforming clips, a clip loading mechanism for loading clips from the magazine to a clip feed blade which moves clips from the clip magazine to the deforming jaws, and a spring activated actuating mechanism. The clip loading mechanism includes a double ratchet apparatus coupled to a pawl for advancing the clips through the magazine. The actuating mechanism includes handle portions, a ratchet member having a cam follower which is coupled to a camming surface which is in turn coupled to one of the handle portions, a spring connected to the main body and the ratchet member, and a latch adapted to engage the ratchet member.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip applicator useful in the rapid and automatic application of hemostatic clips for the strangulation of tubular members is disclosed. The applicator consists of a main body, a clip magazine externally attached to the main body, clip deforming jaws attached to one end of the main body, clip feed means located within the main body and actuating means attached to the feed means and deforming jaws. In operation, one of many hemostatic clips stored in the clip magazine is fed into the main body and guided to the deforming jaws by the interaction of the actuating means and the feed means. When the clip is properly located about a tubular member, further actuation of the actuating means results in the deformation of the clip about the tubular member. Upon further activation of the actuating means, the sequential process of feeding a clip from the magazine and deforming the clip about other tubular members may be rapidly repeated until the supply of clips in the magazine is depleted.

Abstract: A magazine for a hemostatic clip applicator useful in the rapid and automatic application of hemostatic clips for the strangulation of tubular members. The magazine has a housing wherein a plurality of clips are stored. A clip loading mechanism disposed within the housing urges the clips through the housing to a clip feed mechanism. The clip feed mechanism sequentially moves the clips to a clip deforming mechanism of the clip applicator.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip applicator useful in the rapid and automatic application of hemostatic clips for the strangulation of tubular members is disclosed. The applicator consists of a main body, a clip magazine externally attached to the main body, clip deforming jaws attached to one end of the main body, a laminated clip feed blade located within the clip magazine, and an actuating mechanism attached to the feed blade and deforming jaws. In operation, one of many hemostatic clips stored in the clip magazine is fed into the deforming jaws by the interaction of the actuating mechanism and the feed blade. This feeding of a hemostatic clip into the deforming jaws is a result of the clip feed means engaging a clip from the clip magazine, sliding into the deforming jaws so as to move that clip into the deforming jaws, and the retracting of the clip feed means from the deforming jaws.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip applicator useful in the rapid and automatic application of hemostatic clips for the strangulation of tubular members is disclosed. The applicator consists of a main body, a clip magazine externally attached to the main body, clip deforming jaws attached to one end of the main body, a clip feed mechanism located within the main body and an actuating mechanism attached to the feed mechanism and deforming jaws. In operation, one of many hemostatic clips stored in the clip magazine is fed into the main body and guided to the deforming jaws by the interaction of the actuating mechanism and the feed mechanism. When the clip is properly located about a tubular member, further actuation of the actuating mechanism results in the deformation of the clip about the tubular member.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip useful in the strangulation of tubular members and formed of elongate deformable material is disclosed. The clip consists of a pair of arms coupled at one end and open at the other, the arms being separated in a substantially opposed relationship and each having a flat surface facing inwardly. Located in the flat surfaces of the arms are diagonal recesses. The recesses in opposing surfaces are arranged so as to be angularly displaced with respect to one another such that when the surfaces are brought into contact the recesses on opposing surfaces form a cross-hatched pattern.