Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for securing sutures to tissue, particularly bone.

Abstract: An anvil assembly having a tissue contact surface and a plurality of staple pockets formed in the tissue contact surface. Each of the plurality of staple pockets including first and second staple forming cups, each of the first and second staple forming cups having an outside portion and an inside portion, the inside portion of the first and second staple forming cups being positioned in close relation to each other and the outside portion of the first and second staple forming cups being positioned in spaced relation to each other. Each of the first and second staple forming cups being defined by sidewalls and an elongated base surface, wherein upper portions of the sidewalls intersect the tissue contact surface at a line of intersection, and wherein the line of intersection is curved along a majority of its length between the outside portion and the inside portion of each of the staple forming cups.

Abstract: An anvil assembly having a tissue contact surface and a plurality of staple pockets formed in the tissue contact surface. Each of the plurality of staple pockets including first and second staple forming cups, each of the first and second staple forming cups having an outside portion and an inside portion, the inside portion of the first and second staple forming cups being positioned in close relation to each other and the outside portion of the first and second staple forming cups being positioned in spaced relation to each other. Each of the first and second staple forming cups being defined by sidewalls and an elongated base surface, wherein upper portions of the sidewalls intersect the tissue contact surface at a line of intersection, and wherein the line of intersection is curved along a majority of its length between the outside portion and the inside portion of each of the staple forming cups.

Abstract: An anvil assembly for use with a surgical stapler having a tissue contact surface and a plurality of staple pockets formed in the tissue contact surface. Each of the plurality of staple pockets including first and second staple forming cups, each of the first and second staple forming cups having an outside portion and an inside portion, the inside portion of the first and second staple forming cups being positioned in close relation to each other and the outside portion of the first and second staple forming cups being positioned in spaced relation to each other. Each of the first and second staple forming cups being defined by sidewalls and an elongated base surface, wherein upper portions of the sidewalls intersect the tissue contact surface at a line of intersection, and wherein the line of intersection is curved along a majority of its length between the outside portion and the inside portion of each of the staple forming cups.

Abstract: An apparatus for placement of a suture anchor having a suture connected thereto includes a handle dimensioned for engagement by the user and an elongated member connected to the handle and extending therefrom. The elongated member has an anchor mount for mounting a suture anchor. The handle includes a frame having a suture retainer adapted for retaining a suture, at least one cover releasably mounted to the frame to at least partially enclose the suture retainer and a release button mounted to the frame and movable to release the at least one cover from the frame to expose the suture portion.

Abstract: An anvil assembly for use with a surgical stapler having a tissue contact surface and a plurality of staple pockets formed in the tissue contact surface. Each of the plurality of staple pockets including first and second staple forming cups, each of the first and second staple forming cups having an outside portion and an inside portion, the inside portion of the first and second staple forming cups being positioned in close relation to each other and the outside portion of the first and second staple forming cups being positioned in spaced relation to each other. Each of the first and second staple forming cups being defined by sidewalls and an elongated base surface, wherein upper portions of the sidewalls intersect the tissue contact surface at a line of intersection, and wherein the line of intersection is curved along a majority of its length between the outside portion and the inside portion of each of the staple forming cups.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a directionally biased staple is provided for use in all types of surgical staplers having anvil structure against which the staple is formed. The directionally biased staple may be constructed in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations including rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, etc. All of the configurations are distinguished by having a bending region requiring more force to twist or malform the staple than is required to properly form the staple. Preferably, these staples have Moment of Inertia Ratios on the order of between about 1.1 to about 3.0. The staple preferably corresponds in other respects to conventional formed staples, i.e. having at least a pair of leg members interconnected by a crown portion wherein the leg members are formed by direct contact with the anvil. An anvil assembly is also provided for minimizing the malformation of staples.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a directionally biased staple is provided for use in all types of surgical staplers having anvil structure against which the staple is formed. The directionally biased staple may be constructed in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations including rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, etc. All of the configurations are distinguished by having a bending region requiring more force to twist or malform the staple than is required to properly form the staple. Preferably, these staples have Moment of Inertia Ratios on the order of between about 1.1 to about 3.0. The staple preferably corresponds in other respects to conventional formed staples, i.e. having at least a pair of leg members interconnected by a crown portion wherein the leg members are formed by direct contact with the anvil. An anvil assembly is also provided for minimizing the malformation of staples.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a directionally biased staple is provided for use in all types of surgical staplers having anvil structure against which the staple is formed. The directionally biased staple may be constructed in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations including rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, etc. All of the configurations are distinguished by having a bending region requiring more force to twist or malform the staple than is required to properly form the staple. Preferably, these staples have Moment of Inertia Ratios on the order of between about 1.1 to about 3.0. The staple preferably corresponds in other respects to conventional formed staples, i.e. having at least a pair of leg members interconnected by a crown portion wherein the leg members are formed by direct contact with the anvil. An anvil assembly is also provided for minimizing the malformation of staples.

Abstract: An apparatus for placement of a suture anchor having a suture connected thereto includes a handle dimensioned for engagement by the user and an elongated member connected to the handle and extending therefrom. The elongated member has an anchor mount for mounting a suture anchor. The handle includes a frame having a suture retainer adapted for retaining a suture, at least one cover releasably mounted to the frame to at least partially enclose the suture retainer and a release button mounted to the frame and movable to release the at least one cover from the frame to expose the suture portion.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a directionally biased staple is provided for use in all types of surgical staplers having anvil structure against which the staple is formed. The directionally biased staple may be constructed in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations including rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, etc. All of the configurations are distinguished by having a bending region requiring more force to twist or malform the staple than is required to properly form the staple. Preferably, these staples have Moment of Inertia Ratios on the order of between about 1.1 to about 3.0. The staple preferably corresponds in other respects to conventional formed staples, i.e. having at least a pair of leg members interconnected by a crown portion wherein the leg members are formed by direct contact with the anvil. An anvil assembly is also provided for minimizing the malformation of staples.

Abstract: An apparatus for placement of a suture anchor having a suture connected thereto includes a handle dimensioned for engagement by the user and an elongated member connected to the handle and extending therefrom. The elongated member has an anchor mount for mounting a suture anchor. The handle includes a frame having a suture retainer adapted for retaining a suture, at least one cover releasably mounted to the frame to at least partially enclose the suture retainer and a release button mounted to the frame and movable to release the at least one cover from the frame to expose the suture portion.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a directionally biased staple is provided for use in all types of surgical staplers having anvil structure against which the staple is formed. The directionally biased staple may be constructed in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations including rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, etc. All of the configurations are distinguished by having a bending region requiring more force to twist or malform the staple than is required to properly form the staple. Preferably, these staples have Moment of Inertia Ratios on the order of between about 1.1 to about 3.0. The staple preferably corresponds in other respects to conventional formed staples, i.e. having at least a pair of leg members interconnected by a crown portion wherein the leg members are formed by direct contact with the anvil. An anvil assembly is also provided for minimizing the malformation of staples.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a directionally biased staple is provided for use in all types of surgical staplers having anvil structure against which the staple is formed. The directionally biased staple may be constructed in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations including rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, etc. All of the configurations are distinguished by having a bending region requiring more force to twist or malform the staple than is required to properly form the staple. Preferably, these staples have Moment of Inertia Ratios on the order of between about 1.1 to about 3.0. The staple preferably corresponds in other respects to conventional formed staples, i.e. having at least a pair of leg members interconnected by a crown portion wherein the leg members are formed by direct contact with the anvil. An anvil assembly is also provided for minimizing the malformation of staples.

Abstract: A multi-instrument surgical tool for use during hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery includes a housing having a plurality of ports disposed therein which are each dimensioned to slidingly house one of a plurality of surgical instruments for selective deployment from the case. The housing also includes a corresponding plurality of elongated channels each in communication with a respective one of the plurality of ports. Each of the instruments including an actuator which is movable within a respective channel from a first position wherein the instrument is at least partially housed within the housing to a second position wherein the actuator is disengaged from the respective channel and the actuator is freely operable to actuate the instrument for its intended purpose.

Abstract: An insertion device is provided for use in assessing urinary function. The insert device includes an insert member for at least partial insertion into a patient's urethral canal having a length such that it is positioned distal of the urethral sphincter, and having an outer surface at least a portion of which is configured to engage the inner wall of the urethra to substantially prevent fluid flow therebetween. The insert member has a channel therethrough through which fluid from a fluid source can be introduced into the urethral canal. Also provided is a device for introducing fluid into a patient's urethral canal including a hand-sized casing having a fluid conduit therein between a fluid inlet and a fluid source assembly. The device further includes an activation device movable between a first position wherein it does not obstruct the fluid conduit and a second position wherein it does obstruct the fluid conduit.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a directionally biased staple is provided for use in all types of surgical staplers having anvil structure against which the staple is formed. The directionally biased staple may be constructed in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations including rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, etc. All of the configurations are distinguished by having a bending region requiring more force to twist or malform the staple than is required to properly form the staple. Preferably, these staples have Moment of Inertia Ratios on the order of between about 1.1 to about 3.0. The staple preferably corresponds in other respects to conventional formed staples, i.e. having at least a pair of leg members interconnected by a crown portion wherein the leg members are formed by direct contact with the anvil. An anvil assembly is also provided for minimizing the malformation of staples.

Abstract: A multi-instrument surgical tool for use during hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery includes a housing having a plurality of ports disposed therein which are each dimensioned to slidingly house one of a plurality of surgical instruments for selective deployment from the case. The housing also includes a corresponding plurality of elongated channels each in communication with a respective one of the plurality of ports. Each of the instruments including an actuator which is movable within a respective channel from a first position wherein the instrument is at least partially housed within the housing to a second position wherein the actuator is disengaged from the respective channel and the actuator is freely operable to actuate the instrument for its intended purpose.

Abstract: An insertion device is provided for use in assessing urinary function. The insert device includes an insert member for at least partial insertion into a patient's urethral canal having a length such that it is positioned distal of the urethral sphincter, and having an outer surface at least a portion of which is configured to engage the inner wall of the urethra to substantially prevent fluid flow therebetween. The insert member has a channel therethrough through which fluid from a fluid source can be introduced into the urethral canal. Also provided is a device for introducing fluid into a patient's urethral canal including a hand-sized casing having a fluid conduit therein between a fluid inlet and a fluid source assembly. The device further includes an activation device movable between a first position wherein it does not obstruct the fluid conduit and a second position wherein it does obstruct the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A surgical retractor assembly is provided comprising a frame having first and second portions, a first hook member supported on the frame, a second hook member supported on the frame and movable with respect to the frame, and a frame support supporting the frame. The frame support is adapted to retain the first portion of the frame in a selected raised position with respect to the second portion of the frame. The frame support preferably comprises two elongated shafts having locking mechanisms for locking the frame in the selected raised position.