Abstract: Open surgery and endoscopic versions of an electrosurgical cutting instrument incorporating a unique cutting arrangement for opening and closing the cutting edge parallel to an anvil surface resulting in a simultaneous cutting of a linear section of tissue, large vessels, or a group of vessels. Simultaneous with the cutting, the instrument further being capable of either a monopolar or bipolar cauterization of tissue. Also disclosed herein, are methods for use of the various electrosurgical cutting instruments.

Abstract: A removable stent for implantation into a lumen in a human body. The stent is made from a soft, flexible fiber having an outer surface. An outer bioabsorbable/degradable coating is applied to the outer surface of the flament causing it to become rigid. The coating softens in vivo through absorption and/or degradation such that the stent is readily passed or removed from the lumen as a softened filament after a pre-determined period of time through normal flow of body fluids passing through the lumen or by manual removal.

Abstract: Open surgery and endoscopic versions of an electrosurgical cutting instrument incorporating a unique cutting arrangement for opening and closing the cutting edge parallel to an anvil surface resulting in a simultaneous cutting of a linear section of tissue, large vessels, or a group of vessels. Simultaneous with the cutting, the instrument further being capable of either a monopolar or bipolar cauterization of tissue. Also disclosed herein, are methods for use of the various electrosurgical cutting instruments.

Abstract: A cutting edge surgical suture needle. The suture needle is an elongated member having a proximal suture mounting end and a distal piercing tip. The distal section of the needle has a cross-section having a top side with opposed edges. The cross-section also has opposed curved concave lateral sides having top edges and bottom edges. The top edges of the concave sides and the opposed sides of the top side are coextensive and form cutting edges. The bottom edges of the opposed concave sides are coextensive and form a bottom cutting edge.

Abstract: Suture dispensers for retaining armed sutures are disclosed. The dispenser disclosed is comprised of two flat panels of material that each have a central opening. A needle park is provided so that the needle is visible in and accessible though the central openings. In preferred embodiments, the needle park is made of a thin sheet of clear material. Several alternate needle park designs are also disclosed. The two panels are preferably locked together using edge locks in the form of corresponding slits and tabs formed on the panels themselves. In addition to being inexpensive, easy to manufacture and easy to fill, the disclosed dispensers is much thinner than current designs and thus requires less storage and shipping space. Methods of loading dispensers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Suture dispensers for retaining armed sutures are disclosed. The dispenser disclosed is comprised of two flat panels of material that each have a central opening. A needle park is provided so that the needle is visible in and accessible though the central openings. In preferred embodiments, the needle park is made of a thin sheet of clear material. Several alternate needle park designs are also disclosed. The two panels are preferably locked together using edge locks in the form of corresponding slits and tabs formed on the panels themselves. In addition to being inexpensive, easy to manufacture and easy to fill, the disclosed dispensers is much thinner than current designs and thus requires less storage and shipping space. Methods of loading dispensers are also disclosed.