Abstract: The surgical clip applicator has a pusher bar which positions the foremost clip from a clip carrier into a ready-to-fire position between the jaws prior to squeezing of the handles together. When the applicator is fired, the previously positioned surgical clip can be crimped about a vessel and when the jaws are released, a new clip is placed between the jaws for the next firing. A channel assembly moves over the jaws to close the jaw while the pusher bar is retracted into the clip carrier for delivering the foremost clip from the carrier upon release of the handles. A latch arrangement is provided for locking the channel assembly in place and the handles against movement should the clip carrier be empty.

Abstract: A valve assembly adapted for introduction of an elongated object into a patient's body having a first valve formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture for reception of the object, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the object into the aperture will cause the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently engage the outer surface of the object in a fluid tight manner. A second valve is positioned adjacent and distal of the first valve in general alignment therewith, whereby the second valve defines an aperture in general alignment with the aperture of the first valve, and is formed of a flexible material at least in the region defining the apeture. A pair of manually operable clamps are provided to selectively permit the aperture of the second valve to be opened or closed so as to permit entry of the object such that the object first passes through the first valve and then the second valve prior to entry into the patient's body.

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: The end-to-end anastomosis apparatus is provided with a mounting means which can receive a trocar for making holes in tissue and, subsequently, an anvil shaft for the mounting of an anvil assembly for stapling purposes. The anvil shaft is provided with splines which cooperate with splines on a shell liner within the housing of the apparatus to align the buckets on the anvil assembly with the staples in a cartridge secured in the apparatus. In addition, the anvil assembly is provided with a spring for locking of the anvil housing on the anvil shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue along an arcuate path. Each surgical fastener may be in the form of a two-part fastener having a pronged fastener portion for piercing body tissue, and an apertured retainer dimensioned and configured for engaged reception of the pronged fastener portion in interference fit therewith for gripping the body tissue therebetween. Alternatively, the fasteners may be in the form of deformable staples. The apparatus preferably includes arcuately shaped means for holding a plurality of the fastener portions in generally aligned relation, correspondingly arcuately shaped means spaced from the fastener portion holding means for gripping body tissue therebetween and for releasably holding a plurality of the retainers in generally aligned relation and positioned opposite the fasteners when the body tissue is positioned therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying at least one row of two-part surgical fasteners to body tissue, each surgical fastener having a pronged fastener portion for piercing body tissue, and an aperture retainer dimensioned and configured for engaged reception of the pronged fastener portion in interference fit therewith for gripping the body tissue therebetween. The apparatus includes means for holding a plurality of the fastener portions in generally aligned relation, means spaced from the fastener portion holding means for gripping body tissue therebetween and for releasably holding a plurality of the retainers in generally aligned relation and positioned opposite the fasteners when the body tissue is positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A safety locking device is provided for assuring proper matching relationship between a surgical instrument and a trocar guide tube housing. The safety device is slidably mounted on the elongated portion of the surgical instrument, and includes locking fingers with locking tabs projecting radially inward to releasable a circumferential groove in the surgical instrument elongated portion. The locking fingers include a camming surface to engage a corresponding camming surface associated with an appropriate guide tube housing. As the surgical instrument is inserted into an appropriate guide tube housing, the guide tube housing camming surface engages the locking finger camming surface to disengage the locking tabs from the circumferential groove and permit complete insertion of the instrument. A sleeve surrounds the locking fingers to prevent tampering, and as unlocking tool is provided.

Abstract: The end-to-end anastomosis apparatus is provided with a mounting means which can receive a trocar for making holes in tissue and, subsequently, an anvil shaft for the mounting of an anvil assembly for stapling purposes. The anvil shaft is provided with splines which cooperate with splines on a shell liner within the housing of the apparatus to align the buckets on the anvil assembly with the staples in a cartridge secured in the apparatus. In addition, the anvil assembly is provided with a spring for locking of the anvil housing on the anvil shaft.

Abstract: A safety trocar is provided in which the cutting tip is withdrawn into the cannula in response to counterforce being removed from the cutting tip, e.g., by the tip entering a body cavity. The cutting tip is maintained in the exposed positioned by a mechanism associated with the oburator shaft, and is automatically withdrawn into the cannula under the force of a spring when the first mechanism is released by a second mechanism associated with the oburator. Penetration force is maintained at a minimum and safe and efficacious trocar entry is facilitated.

Abstract: A fastener for securing adjacent layers of body tissue to each other and being configured and composed of a material so as to emerge from the body tissue after a limited period of time. The fastener includes a backspan and at least two prongs extending from the backspan. Each prong has a tapered tip culminating in a sharp point. The prongs each include a shaft having a cylindrical portion of uniform diameter. In one embodiment the prong includes a serrated portion having a plurality of notches spaced apart so as to define ridge portions therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical clips through an endoscopic tube includes an endoscopic portion housing a jaw blade, a pusher bar for feeding clips one at a time to the jaws, a channel bar for camming the jaw blades into closed position, and an array of surgical clips. The body of the apparatus comprises a frame housing an actuating mechanism and a transmission mechanism for transferrring movement to the pusher bar and channel. The endoscopic portion is rotatable relative to the frame. In one embodiment the apparatus is single disposable unit. In an alternative embodiment the endoscopic portion is detachable and disposable whereas the non-endoscopic body portion is reusable.

Abstract: A surgical skin fastener with inwardly biased prongs. The fastener comprises a backspan, horizontal arms, and at least two prongs, each prong having at least one inwardly pointing barb. The prongs are resiliently biased inward for holding adjacent edges of body tissue in close contact.

Abstract: A disposable apparatus is disclosed for applying surgical clips to body tissue in endoscopic surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a frame which is adapted to be gripped by hand, and an endoscopic section permanently connected to the handle and capable of storing surgical clips in preparation for clipping arteries or other body tissue. The apparatus includes means for advancing each clip sequentially to a pair of distal jaws and means for closing the jaws about the clip. When the jaws are closed, the clip advancing means is simultaneously positioned to advance the next clip. When all clips are spent the apparatus becomes automatically locked against further advancement of the clip advancing means as well as further closing of the clip closing jaws. The present apparatus also makes it possible to partially close a clip without interfering with the sequential movement of the clip advancing mechanism.

Abstract: The fascia stapler has a pistol-shaped housing from which two-piece clips can be ejected for closing an incision. The retainers for the clips and the straps for the clips are held in respective cartridges within the nose of the housing and can be ejected individually upon actuation of the stapler. A pusher assembly within the housing causes an individual strap to be expelled for passage through one end of a strap, piercing through the tissue and securement in the other end of the strap. Approximators with tissue engaging teeth are also used to bunch up the tissue about the incision during a stapling operation.

Abstract: A surgical stapler for placing lateral lines of staples and making an incision, all through an endoscopic tube, includes an anvil member which is mounted to the distal end of an elongated housing. A tubular collar disposed around the arm of the anvil member is movable to a distal position to bias the anvil member and a cartridge assembly into cooperative alignment, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened between the anvil member and cartridge assembly.

Abstract: The surgical clip applicator has a pusher bar which positions the foremost clip from a clip carrier into a ready-to-fire position between the jaws prior to squeezing of the handles together. When the applicator is fired, the previously positioned surgical clip can be crimped about a vessel and when the jaws are released, a new clip is placed between the jaws for the next firing. A channel assembly moves over the jaws to close the jaws while the pusher bar is retracted into the clip carrier for delivering the foremost clip from the carrier upon release of the handles. A latch arrangement is provided for locking the channel assembly in place and the handles against movement should the clip carrier be empty.