Abstract: A unitary assembly of surgical fastener retainer members is disclosed. The assembly includes a plurality of retainer members, preferably of a resinous material, arranged in a surgically useful configuration and connected by flexible or frangible links preferably of the same material. The assembly facilitates handling of the retainer members and loading them into fastener applying apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a relatively large number of surgical fasteners to body tissue, application of some fasteners is made to precede application of other fasteners in order to spread out and thereby reduce the peak fastener applying load or force.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for ligating and cutting body tissue restrained in the instrument is disclosed. To ligate the tissue, the instrument applies a pair of plastic clips at spaced apart locations on the tissue. The clips are advanced towards the tissue and separated from a pair of clip trains by a clip pusher mechanism operating over a predetermined path. A knife operating over another predetermined path then cuts the tissue between the spaced apart clips. A safety mechanism is actuated by the clip pusher mechanism in the event that a clip is not presented to the pusher mechanism. The safety mechanism, when actuated by the pusher mechanism, directly blocks the path of the knife. A latch mechanism is provided which locks tissue in the instrument to alert the surgeon that the pusher mechanism has jammed at the completion of a ligating and cutting operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying an array of surgical fasteners. The apparatus includes a work transmitting member removably interposable between the member which supplies the fastener applying work and a subset of the fasteners in the array so that the subset can be applied or not applied at the option of the user.

Abstract: Surgical fastener applying apparatus including an actuator and a removable surgical fastener containing cartridge. The cartridge fits loosely into a cartridge holder part of the actuator which translates linearly toward or away from an anvil part of the actuator. As the cartridge holder translates toward the anvil, the cartridge is automatically brought into alignment and registration with the anvil.

Abstract: In apparatus including a distal surgical fastener applying assembly operatively connected to a proximal actuator assembly by a longitudinal shaft assembly, the shaft assembly includes an articulation for allowing the fastener applying assembly to be placed in any of a wide range of rotational orientations relative to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: Surgical clip applying apparatus for advancing and closing clips one at a time around body tissue. The apparatus includes a cartridge with a carrier member for an array of clips. When the cartridge is moved distally relative to the apparatus, two pivotally mounted cam followers on the carrier member move toward each other and traverse a pair of jaws on the apparatus. The pivoting of the cam followers causes the distal-most clip to be closed around body tissue. The cam followers and the cartridge then return to their original positions to ready the apparatus for another cycle of operation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for ligating and dividing a tubular vessel. The instrument has two spaced apart channels, each containing surgical ligatures of plastic or plastic-like material. A pusher mechanism associated with each of the channels advances the ligatures along the channels. A cutting mechanism intermediate the two channels is used to divide the tubular vessel. An actuating mechanism is connected to the pusher mechanism and to the cutting mechanism for initiating operation thereof. A sub-housing is associated with each of the channels and is movable with respect to the ligatures and with respect to the cutting mechanism. Ligatures are placed at two spaced apart positions of the tubular vessel to effect ligation. The vessel is divided intermediate the spaced apart ligatures while the vessel is advanced so as to facilitate ejection of the ligatures and prevent stretching of the tissue.

Abstract: In a surgical fastener applying instrument of the type in which the tissue is first clamped by operation of a lever mechanism, a releasable latch is included in the lever mechanism for releasably holding the tissue clamping elements at an intermediate latching position. In this position, the tissue to be fastened is enclosed but not fully clamped by the instrument so that the position of the instrument relative to the tissue can be adjusted without reopening the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument is disclosed, having upper and lower elongate jaws, one of which is adapted to receive a staple magazine, the other jaw being adapted to receive an anvil or to serve as one itself. A pusher bar and knife assembly including a pair of pusher bars and a central knife carrier moves along the jaws to eject staples from the magazine sequentially and to form laterally spaced staple rows in tissue gripped between the jaws while the knife cuts the tissue along a line between the staple rows. The instrument includes structure for locally supporting the jaws in the region of the forward ends of the pusher bars as these elements move along the jaws to resist forces which arise during staple ejection and shaping and which tend to vertically separate or laterally distort the jaws, or both. The magazine and the pusher bar and knife assembly may together constitute a unitary disposable cartridge. One jaw may have tabs or lugs for gripping the other jaw to provide additional lateral stability.

Abstract: Surgical clip applying apparatus operable entirely by one hand for advancing clips one at a time into a pair of jaws which close the clip on body tissue. The clips are fed to the jaws in a line. The clips releasably intercouple with one another to form a train which is advanced by a clip pusher acting on the distal-most clip in the train. As the distal-most clip enters the jaws, it is uncoupled from the clip train, and the jaws then close the clip. The pusher is then retracted behind the next clip in the train to ready the apparatus for another cycle of operation.

Abstract: Surgical fastener applying apparatus including an actuator and a removable surgical fastener container cartridge. The cartridge fits loosely into a cartridge holder part of the actuator which translates linearly toward or away from an anvil part of the actuator. As the cartridge holder translates toward the anvil, the cartridge is automatically brought into alignment and registration with the anvil.

Abstract: In apparatus for applying a two-part surgical fastener including a fastener part having at least one prong and a retainer part having an aperture for receiving and retaining the distal end of the prong, the retainer part is initially held securely to the apparatus by contact with a lug extending into the aperture. When the two parts of the fastener are forced together, the distal end of the prong pushes the lug out of the aperture, thereby releasing the retainer part from the apparatus.