Abstract: The disclosure concerns systems for use in anastomosis of tubular biological organs within the body, particularly small tubular organs, such as blood vessels, bile duct, lymph duct, nerve ducts, epididymis, etc. The anastomosis system comprises a coupling device with a body, typically within a housing, a coupling assembly linked to the body, a plurality of suturing units within the coupling assembly, and an actuator arrangement formed within the coupling device.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns systems for use in anastomosis of tubular biological organs within the body, particularly small tubular organs, such as blood vessels, bile duct, lymph duct, nerve ducts, epididymis, etc. The anastomosis system comprises a coupling device with a body, typically within a housing, a coupling assembly linked to the body, a plurality of suturing units within the coupling assembly, and an actuator arrangement formed within the coupling device.

Abstract: An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing system useful following formation of a first and a second generally straight channel in a bone, the second channel not intersecting the first channel, the system including a curved bone puncture needle configured to be insertable into the first channel, a curved needle driving assembly configured to manipulate the curved needle to form a curved junction between the first channel and the second channel, a suture snare wire assembly configured to insert a suture snare wire to a suture snare wire pick-up location via the second channel in the bone and a coordinated multi-function driving assembly operative to operate the curved needle driving assembly and the suture snare wire assembly in coordinated operation to cause the suture snare wire to be pulled from the suture pick up location and through the first channel via the junction.

Abstract: An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing system useful following formation of a first and a second generally straight channel in a bone, the second channel not intersecting the first channel, the system including a curved bone puncture needle configured to be insertable into the first channel, a curved needle driving assembly configured to manipulate the curved needle to form a curved junction between the first channel and the second channel, a suture snare wire assembly configured to insert a suture snare wire to a suture snare wire pick-up location via the second channel in the bone and a coordinated multi-function driving assembly operative to operate the curved needle driving assembly and the suture snare wire assembly in coordinated operation to cause the suture snare wire to be pulled from the suture pick up location and through the first channel via the junction.

Abstract: An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing system useful following formation of a first and a second generally straight channel in a bone, the second channel not intersecting the first channel, the system including a curved bone puncture needle configured to be insertable into the first channel, a curved needle driving assembly configured to manipulate the curved needle to form a curved junction between the first channel and the second channel, a suture snare wire assembly configured to insert a suture snare wire to a suture snare wire pick-up location via the second channel in the bone and a coordinated multi-function driving assembly operative to operate the curved needle driving assembly and the suture snare wire assembly in coordinated operation to cause the suture snare wire to be pulled from the suture pick up location and through the first channel via the junction.

Abstract: A bone suture assembly including a flexible generally cylindrical sleeve, a plurality of lengths of suture extending through the generally cylindrical sleeve, and at least one sleeve securing thread associated with the generally cylindrical sleeve. A bone suture retaining method including engaging a suture with a bone engaging sleeve, inserting the suture and the bone engaging sleeve engaged thereby into a transosseous tunnel formed into a bone by pulling the bone engaging sleeve into the transosseous tunnel and retaining the suture and the bone engaging sleeve in the transosseous tunnel by virtue of the bone engaging sleeve being unable to fit through an aperture in the bone.

Abstract: An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing system useful following formation of a first and a second generally straight channel in a bone, the second channel not intersecting the first channel, the system including a curved bone puncture needle configured to be insertable into the first channel, a curved needle driving assembly configured to manipulate the curved needle to form a curved junction between the first channel and the second channel, a suture snare wire assembly configured to insert a suture snare wire to a suture snare wire pick-up location via the second channel in the bone and a coordinated multi-function driving assembly operative to operate the curved needle driving assembly and the suture snare wire assembly in coordinated operation to cause the suture snare wire to be pulled from the suture pick up location and through the first channel via the junction.

Abstract: A bone suture assembly including a flexible sleeve, at least one lockable suture associated with the flexible sleeve and having a series of mutually spaced suture engagement elements extending along at least a portion thereof and at least one suture locking element defining a loop which can be lockably tightened in locking engagement with a corresponding one of the at least one lockable suture by application of tension to the at least one suture locking element, without requiring knotting thereof.

Abstract: An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing system useful following formation of a first and a second generally straight channel in a bone, the second channel not intersecting the first channel, the system including a curved bone puncture needle configured to be insertable into the first channel, a curved needle driving assembly configured to manipulate the curved needle to form a curved junction between the first channel and the second channel, a suture snare wire assembly configured to insert a suture snare wire to a suture snare wire pick-up location via the second channel in the bone and a coordinated multi-function driving assembly operative to operate the curved needle driving assembly and the suture snare wire assembly in coordinated operation to cause the suture snare wire to be pulled from the suture pick up location and through the first channel via the junction.

Abstract: A bone suture assembly including a flexible generally cylindrical sleeve, a plurality of lengths of suture extending through the generally cylindrical sleeve, and at least one sleeve securing thread associated with the generally cylindrical sleeve. A bone suture retaining method including engaging a suture with a bone engaging sleeve, inserting the suture and the bone engaging sleeve engaged thereby into a transosseous tunnel formed into a bone by pulling the bone engaging sleeve into the transosseous tunnel and retaining the suture and the bone engaging sleeve in the transosseous tunnel by virtue of the bone engaging sleeve being unable to fit through an aperture in the bone.

Abstract: An anastomosis system for performing anastomosis of a distal lumen with a proximal lumen is described. In one alternative the system includes an anastomosis element having a sensor assembly incorporated therein, the sensor assembly configured to sense the site of anastomosis. In another alternative the system includes an anastomosis component for performing anastomosis of a distal lumen with a proximal lumen; an applicator for applying the anastomosis component; and a sensor assembly connected to the applicator.

Abstract: A surgical clip assembly which includes a pair of generally linear compression elements for securing tissue between them and for applying to the secured tissue a compression force. The clip assembly has an initial, open position in which the linear compression elements may be positioned about tissue to be secured between them. The assembly also has a final, closed position where the compression elements are substantially parallel to each other, applying a compressive force to the secured tissue. The clip assembly also includes a force means disposed between the pair of compression elements and operative to transmit operational forces between them.

Abstract: A multi-lumen sleeve for use with an endoscope shaft and at least one working surgical instrument. The shaft and surgical instruments have an end portion. The sleeve comprises a primary lumen having a free end and one or more secondary lumens which are joined to the primary lumen. Some or all of the lumens have free ends for connection to the end portion of a selected one of the shaft and the one or more working surgical instrument. Each of the free ends of the primary and secondary lumens is adapted to fit about and support the end portion of the shaft or the one or more working surgical instrument. This facilitates concerted motion and coupled articulation between the shaft and the one or more working surgical instrument. Systems employing this multi-lumen sleeve are described.

Abstract: A surgical clip assembly which includes a pair of generally linear compression elements for securing tissue between them and for applying to the secured tissue a compression force. The clip assembly has an initial, open position in which the linear compression elements may be positioned about tissue to be secured between them. The assembly also has a final, closed position where the compression elements are substantially parallel to each other, applying a compressive force to the secured tissue. The clip assembly also includes a force means disposed between the pair of compression elements and operative to transmit operational forces between them.

Abstract: A compression clip system where compression is used to close a tissue opening, reduce the volume of an organ, ligate dilated blood vessels or compress tissue adjacent to various other types of lesions to induce healing. Compression prevents bleeding and the leakage of body fluids into a body cavity. The opening may be surgery induced as in gastrectomies or formed naturally such as peptic ulcers and hemorrhoids. The system may include a compression clip, a suitable clip applier, a grasper assembly and an endoscope all brought to the compression site via a multi-lumen sleeve.

Abstract: A system including surgical compression clips is described and used for endoscopic full thickness resection. Similarly, methods for endoscopic full thickness resection using the described system are also discussed. Surgical compression clips using shape-memory elements are discussed. These clips are advanceable to the site of suspect tissue to be resected through a lumen of a multi-lumen sleeve encasing an endoscope. At the site of the tissue, the compression clip is opened and operated to circumscribe the suspect tissue. Grasper assemblies, advanceable through an endoscope, are also described. These latter grasp and bring the suspect tissue to the open clip. The clip is then closed and the tissue resected. The clip effects necrosis and healing at the resected site.

Abstract: Palm-size staplers for surgical procedures are proposed. The staplers include cartridge and slider assemblies with the cartridge assembly containing staples. As the slider assembly advances step-wise incrementally it provides a staple ejection force causing ejection of staples. Optionally, a blade element may be included for cutting. An anvil member is operable in closed and open positions with respect to the cartridge assembly. When in a closed position, the anvil member holds a portion of tissue against the cartridge assembly, ejected staples passing through the held tissue. Actuation of the staplers is effected by a lever member. A locking mechanism, when in its locked position, holds the anvil member adjacent to the cartridge assembly allowing closure of the staple to occur. The devices are intended for one hand use.

Abstract: A system including surgical compression clips is described and used for endoscopic full thickness resection. Similarly, methods for endoscopic full thickness resection using the described system are also discussed. Surgical compression clips using shape-memory elements are discussed. These clips are advanceable to the site of suspect tissue to be resected through a lumen of a multi-lumen sleeve encasing an endoscope. At the site of the tissue, the compression clip is opened and operated to circumscribe the suspect tissue. Grasper assemblies, advanceable through an endoscope, are also described. These latter grasp and bring the suspect tissue to the open clip. The clip is then closed and the tissue resected. The clip effects necrosis and healing at the resected site.

Abstract: A surgical clip assembly which includes a pair of generally linear compression elements for securing tissue between them and for applying to the secured tissue a compression force. The clip assembly has an initial, open position in which the linear compression elements may be positioned about tissue to be secured between them. The assembly also has a final, closed position where the compression elements are substantially parallel to each other, applying a compressive force to the secured tissue. The clip assembly also includes a force means disposed between the pair of compression elements and operative to transmit operational forces between them.

Abstract: Palm-size staplers for surgical procedures are proposed. The staplers include cartridge and slider assemblies with the cartridge assembly containing staples. As the slider assembly advances step-wise incrementally it provides a staple ejection force causing ejection of staples. Optionally, a blade element may be included for cutting. An anvil member is operable in closed and open positions with respect to the cartridge assembly. When in a closed position, the anvil member holds a portion of tissue against the cartridge assembly, ejected staples passing through the held tissue. Actuation of the staplers is effected by a lever member. A locking mechanism, when in its locked position, holds the anvil member adjacent to the cartridge assembly allowing closure of the staple to occur. The devices are intended for one hand use.