Abstract: A surgical fastener for fastening layers of body tissue as in skin grafting procedures. The fastener comprises a backspan and at least two barbed prongs. The barbs are flat, triangular and are coplanar with respect to each other, as well as being in parallel alignment with the axis of the backspan. The surgical fastener is made of bioabsorbable material to eliminate the need for removal.

Abstract: A staple drive member for a surgical stapling apparatus. The staple drive member is capable of driving up to three staples at a time and comprises a body portion having a camming surface at its proximal end contacted by a transversely moving cam, and three rectangular staple pusher plates oriented in a staggered arrangement such that two outside plates are located predominantly at the proximal end, and one middle plate is located predominantly at the distal end.

Abstract: The fascia clip is of two-piece construction having an elongated base and a flexible strap. The base is sized to bridge over an incision in fascia tissue and has openings at opposite ends. The strap has a pointed distal end for passage through the opening at the proximal end of the base so as to pierce through the fascia tissue. After being directed under the incision, the strap can again pierce the tissue to pass through the opening at the distal end of the base in order to be gripped therein. The strap has an enlarged head at the proximal end to prevent complete passage through the opening at the proximal end of the base. In one embodiment, resilient teeth are used at the distal end of the strap to engage with a web about the opening at the distal end of the base. In another embodiment, a resilient tab on the enlarged head of the base engages in an opening in the distal end of the strap.

Abstract: Surgical clip applying apparatus having a pair of laterally spaced fixed jaws with opposing clip forming surfaces which are inclined toward one another in the direction in which a clip is pushed into the jaws. Tissue to be clipped is positioned between the jaws. A clip is pushed into the jaws so that the free end of each arm of the clip contacts a respective one of the clip forming surfaces, and so that the clip forming surfaces cooperate to force the arms of the clip together on opposite sides of the tissue to produce hemostasis of the tissue. Various means can be included in the apparatus for feeding a plurality of clips to the jaws one at a time in succession. The clips can be made of metal or of plastic. Plastic clips can be either biologically absorbable or nonabsorbable.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable surgical fastener comprising a fastener member and an interlocking retainer member. The retainer member has longitudinally extending slots on the lateral sides of the retainer for allowing transverse expansion of the columnar members into which the prongs of the fastener member are locked. Fins on both the lateral and transverse sides of the prongs provide extra strength, and stability during implantation. Stopping surfaces prevent the fastener's barbed tip from exiting the opposite side of the retainer.

Abstract: The two-part surgical fastener is composed of an annular stapling part having projecting prongs and annular retaining board having an annular gap which receives the prongs. Barbs on the prongs serve to abutt against a retaining ring on the retaining part to maintain a fixed relationship between the parts for stapling purposes. The anvil assembly on which the retaining part of the fastener is mounted as fingers which can be collapsed radially inwardly after stapling to permit ease of removal.

Abstract: An improved surgical stapler for simultaneously applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue incorporating a flexible resilient U-shaped shield mounted to and around the end of the anvil assembly for separating extraneous body tissue from tissue to be fastened, and for preventing extraneous body tissue from entering the gap between the anvil assembly and fastener holder.

Abstract: The two-part surgical fastener is composed of an annular stapling part having projecting prongs and an annular retaining part having an annular gap which receives the prongs. The anvil assembly on which the retaining part of the fastener is mounted has fingers which can be collapsed radially inwardly after stapling to permit ease of removal. During stapling, the annular stapling part is driven through the tubular ends of the tissue into retained engagement with the retaining part. At the same time, the clamped ends of the tissue are cut on a circular line and, thereafter, the anvil assembly is collapsed radially inwardly to permit withdrawing of the stapling apparatus.

Abstract: An improved surgical stapler for simultaneously applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue, incorporating a flexible and resilient shield assembly comprising a substantially U-shaped wedge member mounted to and around the end of the anvil assembly, for separating extraneous body tissue from tissue to be fastened, and two shutter blades mounted on the sides of the wedge member for preventing extraneous body tissue from entering into the gap between the anvil assembly and fastener holder.

Abstract: Surgical fastener applying apparatus having an articulated shaft assembly intermediate a proximal actuator assembly and a distal fastener applying assembly. The rotational axis of the articulation is transverse to the proximal-distal axis of the shaft assembly. The apparatus is fully operational at any rotational position of the articulation. A detent mechanism may be included to releasably hold the articulation in any of its rotational positions. A locking mechanism may also be provided for locking the articulation in any of its rotational positions. The shaft assembly may also include a second articulation whose rotational axis is the proximal-distal axis. The apparatus is fully operational at any rotational position of the second articulation, and detent and locking mechanisms may also be associated with the second articulation.

Abstract: The anvilless surgical stapler includes a pair of stapling assemblies which are mounted on the articulated handles of an applicator. Each stapling assembly includes a mounting block and a staple cartridge which is slidably mounted within the block. Further, each cartridge has a housing with a plurality of openings in which staples are slidably received along with a plurality of pushers. When the stapling assemblies are brought together, one or more ribs in the mounting blocks cause the pushers to fire the staples from the openings of the staple cartridge housings. A pair of deformable lips are also provided at the mouth of each opening for deforming the legs of each staple inwardly toward each other in order to embed into the tissue without penetrating into the tissue. The lips also permit passage of the deformed staples under the biasing force of the pushers.

Abstract: A surgical fastener apparatus possesses an improved fastener cartridge component. The cartridge includes a fastener holder pivotally connected to an anvil assembly, there being defined upon the opposed surfaces of said holder and anvil, gripping means for taking up the pulling and preventing or impeding such force from working against the fastener line.

Abstract: The surgical stapling instrument is provided with an integral cartridge holders as well as a retaining pin and recess which serves to align the cartridge holder relative to the anvil while retaining the distal actuator bar from pivoting into an open position. In addition, the stapling cartridge is provided with four rows of staggered staples in order to provide a stapled seam through which blood is precluded from flowing.

Abstract: The end-to-end anastomosis surgical stapling apparatus is actuated in a single step. The apparatus includes a shaft which is able to pull the stapling anvil proximally in one step relative to a stationary housing as well as a plurality of circumferentially disposed balls mounted in cage-like manner in the housing which serve to lock the sleeve relative to the housing. The sleeve carries the staple cartridge and is released to move with the anvil when the anvil clamps the tissue against the cartridge. Thereafter, cam surfaces on the shaft and the sleeve permit the balls to move radially inwardly releasing the sleeve for proximal movement relative to the housing so that the staples pierce the tissue for stapling purposes.

Abstract: The purse string applicator has a pair of tissue engaging arms which can be extended from the applicator to grasp apertured tissue and to subsequently flatten and move the engaged tissue over an anvil carrier. The arms are mounted on a tube which can be slid through a handle by means of a tissue knob held by a surgeon. The arms are also movable transversely by means of a control knob at the proximal end so as to engage and flatten the apertured tissue. A pair of handles are provided to staple a purse string about the apertured tissue after postioning of the tissue on the anvil carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for substantially simultaneously applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue includes means for preventing all of the fasteners from reaching peak formation force at the same time in order to reduce the maximum force required to operate the apparatus.

Abstract: The two-part surgical fastener is composed of an annular stapling part having projecting prongs and annular retaining board having an annular gap which receives the prongs. Barbs on the prongs serve to abut against a retaining ring on the retaining part to maintain a fixed relationship between the parts for stapling purposes. The anvil assembly on which the retaining part of the fastener is mounted as fingers which can be collapsed radially inwardly after stapling to permit ease of removal.