Abstract: A surgical device for excising a tissue sample from a patient. The device includes a pair of articulable plates having blades mounted thereon. A collar is axially moveable along a rotatable actuating member such that the collar induces axial movement of the plates. Cam surfaces cause the plates to move radially inward toward one another, thereby bringing the blades toward one another so as to cut the tissue sample from the patient.

Abstract: A surgical stitching device intended for suturing deep and difficult-to-reach wounds. It is a distinctive type of needle-holder designed to carry a straight needle alongside its main body. This instrument is distinguished from the currently available devices because it may not need laparoscopic visualization and sutures wounds from an inside out direction rather than from side-to-side.

Abstract: A surgical device for excising a tissue sample from a patient. The device includes a pair of articulable plates having blades mounted thereon. A collar is axially moveable along a rotatable actuating member such that the collar induces axial movement of the plates. Cam surfaces cause the plates to move radially inward toward one another, thereby bringing the blades toward one another so as to cut the tissue sample from the patient.

Abstract: A stapling and cutting system for use by a physician in the cutting and stapling together of layers of body tissue. The system includes first and second handles that are pivotally coupled together at a pivot joint located between proximate and distal ends of each of handles. First and second jaws are coupled together and movable between an open and closed position. Mounted on a distal end of the first jaw for positioning on one side of the layers of tissue is a disposable staple cartridge, which includes a plurality of staples. An anvil, mounted on the distal end of the second jaw, is positioned on opposing side of the tissue to be stapled. To manipulate the jaws, a closure mechanism couples the first and second handles to the first and second jaws. The closure mechanism maintains the anvil and the staple cartridge substantially parallel to and opposite from one another when the first and second jaws are in the open position and moved to the closed position.

Abstract: A uterine balloon apparatus and method for countering hemorrhaging in a patient after childbirth. The balloon apparatus is comprised of a balloon, a physiologic fluid, such as a normal saline solution and a control. A characteristic feature of the invention is that a fluid pressure inside of the balloon is maintained at a safe level by the control as a uterus contracts to resume its physiologic function. The control is comprised of a pressure relief valve, a pressure regulator valve, a fill valve and flexible tubing. Another characteristic feature of the invention is that the fluid pressure inside of the balloon is prevented from exceeding a level which would cause a premature ejection of the balloon or damage to the uterus. The balloon in an inflated state, is inserted into the uterus with the assistance of a catheter which extends part way into the interior of the balloon.

Abstract: A disposable surgical stapler cartridge having a pair of partially engaged staple retaining and unloading members and a plurality of staples for joining together body tissues. Each staple has a center portion and a pair of adjoining downward extending side portions. Lower portions of the side portions are modified in cross-section to provide hinge points which reduce the required force for clinching the staples. The apertures of the cartridge retaining member require higher initial forces for unloading the staples from the member. The cartridge is detachably mounted in a jaw of a stapler by a pair of rails which slidably engage channels of the jaw and a boss which forcibly engages an aperture of the jaw. During a clinching of the staples the cartridge members are fully engaged to reduce the size of the cartridge.

Abstract: A uterine balloon apparatus and method for countering hemorrhaging in a patient after childbirth. The balloon apparatus is comprised of a balloon, a physiologic fluid, such as a normal saline solution and a control. A characteristic feature of the invention is that a fluid pressure inside of the balloon is maintained at a safe level by the control as a uterus contracts to resume its physiologic function. The control is comprised of a pressure relief valve, a pressure regulator valve, a fill valve and flexible tubing. Another characteristic feature of the invention is that the fluid pressure inside of the balloon is prevented from exceeding a level which would cause a premature ejection of the balloon or damage to the uterus. The balloon in an inflated state, is inserted into the uterus with the assistance of a catheter which extends part way into the interior of the balloon.

Abstract: A stapler and cartridge for joining together layers of body tissues. In a first aspect of the invention, a pair of handles, pivotally connected between opposite end portions, open a pair of jaws when the handles are rotatably moved apart and close the jaws when the handles are rotatably brought together. A detent is provided which assists a surgeon in properly clamping the layers of tissue before firing the staples through the tissues. A disposable cartridge is detachably mounted in one of the jaws by a pair of rails which slidably engage a pair of channels in one of the jaws and a convex boss which forcibly engages an aperture of the jaw. The cartridge is comprised of a staple retaining member and a staple unloading member. During a firing and clinching of the staples the cartridge members are telescoped together such that the size of the cartridge is reduced. In a second aspect of the invention, end portions of a pair of pivotally connected handles form jaws.

Abstract: A scalpel which is used for enlarging an incision in an abdominal wall to remove an organ or body tissue from an abdominal or chest cavity through which a cannula is inserted. The scalpel has a split resilient generally cylindrical collar for mounting the scalpel on the cannula, a pair of sharp pointed cutting blades mounted on opposite sides of an outer surface of the collar and a pair of generally rectangular pusher arms pivotally mounted on the cutting blades. The pusher arms are rotatable from positions of outward extending relationship to the collar to positions of adjacent relationship to the collar. The incision is enlarged by mounting the scalpel on the cannula and applying a force to the pusher arms in outward extending positions to push the sharp cutting blades through the abdominal wall. If the blades do not fully penetrate the abdominal wall, the pusher blades are rotated in adjacent relationship and used to completely push the sharp cutting edges through the abdominal wall.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device for repairing wounds and incisions. In a first aspect of the invention, a slender elongated rod is connected to a movable handle to bring together a pair of pivotally connected needle holders. The needle holders have a pair of phased latches which control wire-like retainers which move in and out of end portions of the pivotally connected needle holders. The wire-like retainers interlock with circular grooves in opposite thread and point end portions of a surgical needle. Each time the slender rod is advanced toward the needle holders, the needle holders pivot toward each other and the rod simultaneously contacts the latches to alternately hold and release the thread and end portions of the needle. In a second aspect of the invention, each time the slender rod is advanced toward the needle holders, resilient members on sides of the needle holders simultaneously depress to alternately hold and release the thread and point end portions of the needle.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device for closing a wound or an incision having a first elongated needle holder having an end portion for grasping and releasing a thread end of a needle and a second elongated needle holder pivotally connected to the first elongated needle holder having an end portion for grasping and releasing an opposite pointed end portion of the needle. One end portion of an elongated rod is connected to pair of needle holders and moves the needle holders together and away from each other. An opposite end portion of the rod is attached to a pivotally attached handle which moves the rod. In each of the needle holders there is a latch which is actuated when the needle holders are brought together to simultaneously grasp one end portion of the needle and release the opposite end portion of the needle.