Abstract: An improved surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a cartridge half-section and an anvil half-section with the cartridge and anvil half-sections being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a fully clamped position. The apparatus includes a replaceable staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples and a pivotably mounted safety lock-out. The safety lock-out is pivotable between an initial position in which a relative movement of the cartridge and anvil half-sections to the fully clamped position is permitted and a blocking position in which a relative movement of the cartridge and anvil half-sections to return them to their fully clamped position after the plurality of staples have been at least partially fired is prevented. The apparatus further includes a pivotably mounted firing lever for moving a pair of camming surfaces longitudinally.

Abstract: A biopsy system for retrieving biopsy tissue samples from different regions of the body is disclosed. The biopsy system includes a single use loading unit having a trocar assembly and a knife assembly. A trocar driver is operably connected to the trocar assembly and is actuable to move a trocar between retracted and advanced positions. The trocar driver is disengaged from the trocar assembly prior to firing the trocar into a target tissue mass to reduce drag on the trocar during firing. A knife driver is operably connected to the knife assembly such that when actuated, a knife is both rotatably and axially advanced about the trocar.

Abstract: A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.

Abstract: A biopsy system for retrieving biopsy tissue samples from different regions of the body is disclosed. The biopsy system includes a single use loading unit having a trocar assembly and a knife assembly. A trocar driver is operably connected to the trocar assembly and is actuable to move a trocar between retracted and advanced positions. The trocar driver is disengaged from the trocar assembly prior to firing the trocar into a target tissue mass to reduce drag on the trocar during firing. A knife driver is operably connected to the knife assembly such that when actuated, a knife is both rotatably and axially advanced about the trocar.

Abstract: A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A media-dispensing apparatus for testing body fluids and a method of using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a lower portion and an upper portion, and an elongated tubular member having a distal opening adjacent a distal end thereof. The elongated tubular member includes a first lumen within the elongated tubular member extending from the lower portion of the housing to the distal opening and includes a second lumen within the elongated tubular member extending from the upper portion of the housing to the distal opening. A media strip is dispensable from the lower portion of the housing, through the first lumen, out the distal opening of the elongated tubular member, through the second lumen and into the upper portion of the housing.

Abstract: A staple having an expandable backspan and a pair of spaced legs is described. The expandable backspan is configured to expand or deform to accommodate tissues of varying thicknesses. In one embodiment, the backspan is non-linear and defines a recess. In another embodiment, the backspan includes a deformable pad or spacer. The amount of deformation of the backspan is proportional to the thickness of the tissue, i.e., the greater the thickness of tissue, the greater the deformation of the backspan.

Abstract: A surgical stapler has a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a trigger. The stapler also has a drive assembly with a body having a working end and a cam member supported on the working end. The cam member is positioned to translate relative to the anvil to maintain the anvil in the closed position during firing of the stapler. The trigger is operatively connected to a power cell. The power cell is operably connected to a motor of the drive assembly. The manipulation of the trigger actuates the power cell such that the power cell powers the drive assembly to effect translation of the cam member relative to the anvil. The stapler also has a channel for supporting the staple cartridge and the motor of the drive assembly controls the actuation sled supported within the cartridge. The actuation sled urges the plurality of staples from the cartridge when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A medical fastener for securing tissue and creating hemostatis thereon is disclosed. The fastener includes a shaft having a proximal and distal ends and a head disposed at a proximal end and a tip disposed at a distal end. The tip is configured to penetrate the tissue and to form a mushroomed tip or a modified B-formation tip to secure the fastener to the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.

Abstract: A multiple coil staple is provided which includes a backspan and a pair of spaced legs. The backspan includes one or more pockets configured to induce coiling of the legs of the staple. A multiple coil staple applier is also provided which includes a pusher having a distal face defining a staple engagement surface and one or more staple deforming pockets. Each staple deforming pocket is configured to induce coiling of the legs of a staple. The multiple coil staple and staple applier facilitate joining of tissues having wider ranges of thicknesses using a single size staple.

Abstract: An assembly for joining tissue is provided and includes an anvil assembly and a body portion juxtaposed with respect to one another along a shaft and arranged so as to be approximated with respect to one another; and an applicator supported on the anvil assembly and configured for retaining a wound treatment material therein and for dispensing the wound treatment material therefrom. A method for joining tissue is provided and includes the steps of dispensing the wound treatment material from the applicator so as to distribute wound treatment material onto at least one of a first tissue section and a second tissue section; and approximating the anvil assembly and the body portion to one another so that the first tissue section and the second tissue section are in contact with one another with the dispensed wound treatment material interposed there between.

Abstract: A gastric restrictor assembly is provided which includes a first longitudinal member, a second longitudinal member, a first connector and a second connector. The first and second connectors support the first and second longitudinal members in spaced relation. The second longitudinal member is rotatably supported between the first and second connectors and includes a bend or offset. The second longitudinal member is rotatable to rotate the offset in relation to the first longitudinal member to selectively vary the width of a channel defined between the first and second longitudinal members. In one embodiment, the second longitudinal member includes engagement structure for engaging a positioning tool and indexing structure for releasably securing the second longitudinal member at fixed positions of rotation in relation to the first longitudinal member.

Abstract: A gastric restrictor assembly for positioning about a portion of the digestive tract, e.g., stomach, esophagus, etc., of a patient to treat obesity is disclosed. The gastric restrictor assembly includes an inner expandable member and an outer collar. The inner expandable member is dimensioned to be transesophagealy positioned within the digestive tract, e.g., stomach. The outer collar is dimensioned to be positioned about the digestive tract, e.g., the stomach, and the inner expandable member to clamp the stomach therebetween. The inner expandable member defines an opening therethrough. The diameter of the opening is selectively adjustable via a fill tube to selectively control the diameter of the central opening.

Abstract: A gastric restrictor assembly for positioning within the digestive tract, e.g., stomach, of a patient to treat obesity is disclosed. The gastric restrictor assembly includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the assembly within a body lumen and a valve assembly for adjusting the diameter of a throughbore defined by valve assembly. The gastric restrictor includes first and second actuators which can be actuated transorally for operating the attachment mechanism and the valve assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.

Abstract: There is provided a surgical instrument including a handle having an elongated tubular member extending distally from the handle and one or more end effectors mounted on the distal end of the elongate tubular member. A driver is movably mounted within the handle and elongate tubular member in order to operate the end effectors. The surgical instrument includes an energy storage mechanism for storing and providing energy to move the driver and thereby actuate the surgical instrument. Various actuation mechanisms are disclosed which are operable on the energy storage mechanism to control the rate of release of the energy stored in the energy storage mechanism.