Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical clips has a body portion housing a clip stack and a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of the body portion. The body portion includes a camming member, a clip follower and a lockout member having a plurality of stop members. The lockout member is movable from a first position in slidable relation to the camming member to a second position interlocked with the camming member. The camming member has at least one notch, and in a second position the lockout member has at least one of the stop members positioned to interface with the at least one notch. The engagement between the stop member and the notch limits distal movement of the camming member. The clip follower actuates the lockout member when the clip follower advances to a predetermined clip in the clip stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical clips has a body portion housing a clip stack and a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of the body portion. The body portion includes a camming member, a clip follower and a lockout member having a plurality of stop members. The lockout member is movable from a first position in slidable relation to the camming member to a second position interlocked with the camming member. The camming member has at least one notch, and in a second position the lockout member has at least one of the stop members positioned to interface with the at least one notch. The engagement between the stop member and the notch limits distal movement of the camming member. The clip follower actuates the lockout member when the clip follower advances to a predetermined clip in the clip stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for the reception of an instrument inserted through a surgical portal apparatus includes a valve mount, a major opening through the valve mount, a primary valve for selectively sealing the major opening, a minor opening through the primary valve, and a secondary valve for selectively sealing the minor opening. Components of both the major valve and the minor valve may be displaced to permit passage of a broad instrument, while components of only the secondary valve may be displaced to permit passage of a narrow instrument.

Abstract: There is provided a powered tacker device for use in installing multiple surgical fasteners through a prosthetic mesh into tissue. The powered tacker device generally includes a handle assembly and a tacker assembly extending distally from handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a motor and self-contained power assembly to rotate the surgical fasteners into tissue. The handle assembly is provided with a drive assembly which allows for rotation, as well as distal longitudinal movement, of a surgical fastener relative to the powered tacker device. The tacker assembly includes an inner tube for containing the plurality of surgical fasteners and a driver which is movable out of alignment with the inner tube so as to install a single fastener at a time into tissue.

Abstract: There is provided a powered tacker device for use in installing multiple surgical fasteners through a prosthetic mesh into tissue. The powered tacker device generally includes a handle assembly and a tacker assembly extending distally from the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a motor and self-contained power assembly to rotate the surgical fasteners into tissue. The handle assembly is provided with a drive assembly which allows for rotation, as well as distal longitudinal movement, of a surgical fastener relative to the powered tacker device. The tacker assembly includes an inner tube for containing the plurality of surgical fasteners and a driver which is movable out of alignment with the inner tube so as to install a single fastener at a time into tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fastener applying surgical fastener applier for ensuring proper seating of a fastener within tissue. The surgical fastener applier includes an actuation mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a control system. The control system is configured to determine loading along an axis and to allow movement of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical grasping instrument for grasping an elongated implement, which comprises a frame; an elongated member connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom, the elongated member defining a longitudinal axis; and a pair of jaw members operatively connected to the elongated member, the jaw members being adapted for movement between an open position and a closed position, at least one of the jaw members having a recess defined therein and arranged about a central recess axis extending at an angle of about 35° or less relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member, wherein upon movement of the jaw members to the closed position, the jaw members form a holding groove that can engage and firmly secure the elongated implement.

Abstract: An apparatus for the reception of an instrument inserted through a surgical portal apparatus includes a valve mount, a major opening through the valve mount, a primary valve for selectively sealing the major opening, a minor opening through the primary valve, and a secondary valve for selectively sealing the minor opening. Components of both the major valve and the minor valve may be displaced to permit passage of a broad instrument, while components of only the secondary valve may be displaced to permit passage of a narrow instrument.

Abstract: A tilt top anvil assembly is provided for use with a surgical stapling device for performing end-to-end anastomosis of tissue. The tilt top anvil assembly included an anvil head, a center rod and a biasing member. The anvil head is pivotally secured to the center rod about a transverse axis which is offset from the longitudinal axis of the center rod. The biasing member is supported on the anvil assembly at a position to urge the anvil head to a tilted reduced profile position. The anvil assembly includes a first abutment surface which is operatively connected to the anvil head is movable into engagement with a second abutment surface formed on a surgical stapling device during approximation of the anvil assembly to move the anvil head from the tilted reduced profile position to an operative firing position. When the anvil assembly is moved to the unapproximated or spaced position, the biasing member is positioned to return the anvil assembly back to its tilted reduced profile position.

Abstract: A surgical fastening apparatus includes a handle, an elongated member extending distally from the handle and a fastener applier and anvil head disposed at the distal end of the elongated member. The elongated member defines a distal offset end portion upon which the fastener applier and the anvil head are mounted. The offset end portion is angularly oriented with respect to the axis of the instrument at a predetermined fixed angle (e.g., either 45°, 60° and 75° relative to the axis of the instrument) thereby positioning the fastener applier and the anvil head at the fixed angle This feature facilitates positioning of the tissue with respect to the instrument and enhances visual access to the tissue when appropriately disposed within the fastener applier and the anvil head. Various mechanisms for effectuating the clamping of the tissue between the fastener holder and anvil, and the firing of the instrument are disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a powered tacker device for use in installing multiple surgical fasteners through a prosthetic mesh in into tissue. The powered tacker device generally includes a handle assembly and a tacker assembly extending distally from handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a motor and self-contained power assembly to rotate the surgical fasteners into tissue. The handle assembly is provided with a drive assembly which allows for rotation, as well as distal longitudinal movement, of a surgical fastener relative to the powered tacker device. The tacker assembly includes an inner tube for containing the plurality of surgical fasteners and a driver which is movable out of alignment with the inner tube so as to install a single fastener at a time into tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided which includes a handle assembly, a body extending distally from the handle assembly and an end effector configured to effect cutting, dissection, coagulation and/or ligation of tissue. The end effector includes an ultrasonic member. A transducer is supported adjacent, on or within the ultrasonic member and is connected to a power source. Upon actuation of the power source, the transducer effects vibration of the ultrasonic member. In one preferred embodiment, the end effector is mounted for articulation about the distal end of the instrument.

Abstract: This application is directed to a surgical stapling device for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The handle portion includes a rotatable approximation knob for approximating the anvil and shell assemblies and a firing trigger for actuating a firing mechanism for ejecting staples positioned within the shell assembly. The firing trigger forms one link of a two bar linkage provided to actuate the firing mechanism. The anvil assembly includes a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after firing of the device and unapproximating the anvil and shell assemblies. The head portion also includes a retractable trocar assembly which is slidably positioned within an anvil retainer and is automatically advanced and retracted upon attachment and detachment of the anvil assembly onto the anvil retainer.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical clips has a body portion housing a clip stack and a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of the body portion. The body portion includes a camming member, a clip follower and a lockout member having a plurality of stop members. The lockout member is movable from a first position in slidable relation to the camming member to a second position interlocked with the camming member. The camming member has at least one notch, and in a second position the lockout member has at least one of the stop members positioned to interface with the at least one notch. The engagement between the stop member and the notch limits distal movement of the camming member. The clip follower actuates the lockout member when the clip follower advances to a predetermined clip in the clip stack.

Abstract: There are disclosed various embodiments of a balloon dissector and balloon tip cannula assembly which are provided to facilitate forming an anatomical space within the body, such as, for example, an anatomical space in the abdominal cavity or extraperitoneal space for facilitating hernia repair surgeries. The balloon dissector and balloon tip cannula assembly generally includes a balloon tip cannula assembly for anchoring the device to the abdominal wall and a balloon dissector assembly having a dissection balloon at a distal end for separating apart tissue layers and forming an anatomical space. Various structures are provided to connect the balloon dissector assembly to the balloon tip cannula assembly. Obturators associated with the balloon dissector assembly and the balloon tip cannula assembly may also be provided.

Abstract: A tilt top anvil assembly is provided for use with a surgical stapling device for performing end-to-end anastomosis of tissue. The tilt top anvil assembly included an anvil head, a center rod and a biasing member. The anvil head is pivotally secured to the center rod about a transverse axis which is offset from the longitudinal axis of the center rod. The biasing member is supported on the anvil assembly at a position to urge the anvil head to a tilted reduced profile position. The anvil assembly includes a first abutment surface which is operatively connected to the anvil head is movable into engagement with a second abutment surface formed on a surgical stapling device during approximation of the anvil assembly to move the anvil head from the tilted reduced profile position to an operative firing position. When the anvil assembly is moved to the unapproximated or spaced position, the biasing member is positioned to return the anvil assembly back to its tilted reduced profile position.

Abstract: A clip applying apparatus is provided which includes a jaw mechanism supported within and extending from the distal end of a body portion of the apparatus. The jaw mechanism includes a proximal body portion, first and second shank members and first and second jaw members. The first and second shank members extend distally from the proximal body portion of the jaw mechanism. The first and second jaw members are supported on the distal end of the first and second shank members and are configured to receive a ligation clip therebetween. In a particularly useful embodiment, each jaw is curved upwardly towards its distal end along the longitudinal axis of the body portion and has a radius of curvature “r” of between about 0.5 inch and about 0.9 inch. In a particularly useful embodiment, r is about 0.7 inch.

Abstract: A tilt top anvil assembly is provided for use with a surgical stapling device for performing end-to-end anastomosis of tissue. The tilt top anvil assembly included an anvil head, a center rod and a biasing member. The anvil head is pivotally secured to the center rod about a transverse axis which is offset from the longitudinal axis of the center rod. The biasing member is supported on the anvil assembly at a position to urge the anvil head to a tilted reduced profile position. The anvil assembly includes a first abutment surface which is operatively connected to the anvil head is movable into engagement with a second abutment surface formed on a surgical stapling device during approximation of the anvil assembly to move the anvil head from the tilted reduced profile position to an operative firing position. When the anvil assembly is moved to the unapproximated or spaced position, the biasing member is positioned to return the anvil assembly back to its tilted reduced profile position.

Abstract: There are disclosed various embodiments of a balloon dissector and balloon tip cannula assembly which are provided to facilitate forming an anatomical space within the body, such as, for example, an anatomical space in the abdominal cavity or extraperitoneal space for facilitating hernia repair surgeries. The balloon dissector and balloon tip cannula assembly generally includes a balloon tip cannula assembly for anchoring the device to the abdominal wall and a balloon dissector assembly having a dissection balloon at a distal end for separating apart tissue layers and forming an anatomical space. Various structures are provided to connect the balloon dissector assembly to the balloon tip cannula assembly. Obturators associated with the balloon dissector assembly and the balloon tip cannula assembly may also be provided.

Abstract: A surgical fastening apparatus includes a handle, an elongated member extending distally from the handle and a fastener applier and anvil head disposed at the distal end of the elongated member. The elongated member defines a distal offset end portion upon which the fastener applier and the anvil head are mounted. The offset end portion is angularly oriented with respect to the axis of the instrument at a predetermined fixed angle (e.g., either 45°, 60° and 75° relative to the axis of the instrument) thereby positioning the fastener applier and the anvil head at the fixed angle. This feature facilitates positioning of the tissue with respect to the instrument and enhances visual access to the tissue when appropriately disposed within the fastener applier and the anvil head. Various mechanisms for effectuating the clamping of the tissue between the fastener holder and anvil, and the firing of the instrument are disclosed.