Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously applying to body tissue at least one surgical suture in conjunction with a plurality of surgical fasteners arranged end to end in rows. The apparatus preferably includes a knife for making an incision in the body tissue sealed in each side by at least one row of fasteners. The fasteners are two-part fasteners fabricated from bioabsorbable material. The incision is closed by pulling the ends of the suture(s).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach surgical mesh to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The apparatus includes a frame, and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage cartridge is removably supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section with each staple being configured and adapted to attach the mesh to the body tissue. An elongated pusher system formed of several assembled components and extending from the frame to the endoscopic section is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally for positioning adjacent the surgical mesh and the body tissue. The pusher system also includes a trigger system to actuate the pusher.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying surgical clips which comprises a handle portion, a body portion which extends distally from the handle portion, jaw members positioned adjacent the distal end of the body portion for receiving and subsequently forming a clip, camming means which are operable from the handle portion for camming the jaw members closed to form a clip, storage means for storing a plurality of surgical clips in a position for individual advancement to the jaw members, clip advancement means for individually advancing the clips from the storage means into the jaw members, and control means for selecting between a first mode of operation in which the advancement of a clip from the storage means into the jaw members is initiated by the user and a second mode in which it is initiated independent of the user.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for placing fasteners and/or a reinforcement material in tissue is provided. Structure is provided for advancing the fasteners distally by an actuating handle means working in concert with a pusher means. The fasteners exit the fastener housing at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the device to facilitate visualization and placement at the surgical site. A unique fastener may be formed in which the legs are in a substantially overlapping longitudinally-spaced relation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for placing fasteners and/or a reinforcement material in tissue is provided. The fasteners exit the fastener housing at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the device to facilitate visualization and placement at the surgical site. A unique fastener may be formed in which the legs are in a substantially overlapping, longitudinally-spaced relation.