Abstract: Surgical fasteners, including tacks are disclosed for fastening a surgical mesh to underlying tissue during surgical procedures to repair body tissue, such as in hernia repair. Such tacks can include a head, a elongated body portion having a distal end and a proximal end, and an anchoring element on an outer surface of the body portion for inhibiting the removal of the tack from the mesh and body tissue.

Abstract: Surgical fasteners, including tacks are disclosed for fastening a surgical mesh to underlying tissue during surgical procedures to repair body tissue, such as in hernia repair. Such tacks can include a head, a elongated body portion having a distal end and a proximal end, and an anchoring element on an outer surface of the body portion for inhibiting the removal of the tack from the mesh and body tissue.

Abstract: Surgical fasteners, including tacks are disclosed for fastening a surgical mesh to underlying tissue during surgical procedures to repair body tissue, such as in hernia repair. Such tacks can include a head, a elongated body portion having a distal end and a proximal end, and an anchoring element on an outer surface of the body portion for inhibiting the removal of the tack from the mesh and body tissue.

Abstract: Surgical fasteners, including tacks are disclosed for fastening a surgical mesh to underlying tissue during surgical procedures to repair body tissue, such as in hernia repair. Such tacks can include a head, a elongated body portion having a distal end and a proximal end, and an anchoring element on an outer surface of the body portion for inhibiting the removal of the tack from the mesh and body tissue.

Abstract: An expansible tunneling apparatus and associated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure. Various apparatus permitting observation during tunneling and balloon dissection are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tubular member has a bore extending therethrough and an open distal end. A lip is formed in the distal end of the tubular member to capture the distal tip of a laparoscope inserted into the tubular member to permit observation of the procedure during tunneling to a desired location and balloon inflation. An elongated neck of the balloon is secured to the tunneling member, and permits the tubular member to be withdrawn slightly from the balloon after inflation to facilitate observation. After the balloon has been advanced to the desired location in the body it is inflated to dissect tissue and create an operating space. Various balloon constructions and a reusable design are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laparoscopic apparatus for tunneling dissection including a hollow tunneling member and an inflatable balloon disposed at the distal end of the tunneling member to form together a blunt tipped obturator. The tunneling member has a bore sized allow the insertion of a conventional laparoscope therein to provide observation during surgical procedures. The laparoscope provides direct observation of dissection through the open distal end of the tunneling member. Observation is provided both when the device is used to tunnel between tissue layer to a region of interest within the body of a patient, and during subsequent balloon inflation when the tissue layers are dissected to cause separation of the tissue layers and the creature of an anatomical working space. After the anatomic space has been created, the device and laparoscope are withdrawn through the incision.

Abstract: A blood vessel clip applicator includes two twist pins at one end, between which a blood vessel is placed before occlusion. A magazine in the blood vessel clip applicator holds a plurality of blood vessel clips and can be rotated independently from a grip assembly, whereby the twist pins can be rotated to compress a blood vessel held between them. The blood vessel clip is placed on the blood vessel after it has been flattened. The blood vessel clip includes spring quality material, and has a head connected to a first leg and a second leg. The magazine has a constricted region adjacent to an exit aperture. As the head enters the constricted region, the compressive force exerted on the head by the constricted region opens the blood vessel clip to an open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a blood vessel clip includes a grip assembly having a handle, an applicator barrel attached to the grip assembly, a magazine connected to the applicator barrel, and a plunger connected to the grip assembly. The magazine has a plunger space and a magazine passage separated by a divider shim. A distal end of the magazine defines an exit aperture. The magazine passage is adapted for storing at least one blood vessel clip therein. The magazine includes a constricted region narrower than a head of the blood vessel clip. The constricted region is spaced apart from the exit aperture and has a narrowest point narrower than the exit aperture. The plunger extends into the plunger space. The plunger moves the at least one blood vessel clip distally through the constricted region and the exit aperture.

Abstract: A blood vessel clip applicator preferably includes two twist pins at one end, between which a blood vessel is placed before occlusion. A magazine in the blood vessel clip applicator preferably holds a plurality of blood vessel clips and can be rotated independently from a grip assembly, whereby the twist pins can be rotated to compress a blood vessel held between them. A blood vessel clip is preferably placed on the blood vessel after it has been flattened. A blood vessel clip preferably comprises spring quality material, and preferably has a head connected to a first leg and a second leg. The magazine preferably has a constricted region adjacent to an exit aperture. As the head enters the constricted region, the compressive force exerted on the head by the constricted region opens the blood vessel clip to an open position. In an alternate embodiment, a plunger applies a blood vessel clip with a direct stroke.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body comprises an introducer and a sheath. The tubular sheath may surround the introducer, and may have a weakened region along its longitudinal axis. A handle may be provided on the sheath. The handle may be adapted to be pulled proximally to separate the weakened region and allow the sheath to be removed from the introducer. The sheath may be secured to the introducer via detents or latches on the handle.

Abstract: An expansible tunneling apparatus and associated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure. Various embodiments of one and two piece apparatus that permit laparoscopic observation both during tunneling and during subsequent balloon dissection are disclosed. In a disclosed one piece embodiment, a tubular member has a bore extending therethrough and an open distal end. A lip is formed in the distal end of the tubular member to capture the distal tip of a laparoscope that is inserted into the tubular member to permit observation of the procedure both during tunneling to a desired location and during subsequent balloon inflation. An elongated neck of the balloon is secured to the tunneling member. The elongated neck permits the tubular member to be withdrawn slightly from the balloon after inflation to facilitate observation.

Abstract: A surgical tack is disclosed for securing a surgical mesh material to body tissue. The tack includes a pair of legs and an arcuate cross-member. A surgical tack applier is also disclosed, for applying the surgical tack. The applier includes an elongate tubular portion having a jacket with a main channel and a pair of longitudinally extending sub channels. A rotatable drive rod having a helical thread is coupled to the applier, and the sub channels receive the legs of the tack. The helical thread receives the arcuate cross-member of the surgical tack. Rotation of the drive rod drives the tack from the distal end of the applier.

Abstract: A surgical tack is disclosed for securing a surgical mesh material to body tissue. The tack includes a pair of legs and an arcuate cross-member. A surgical tack applier is also disclosed, for applying the surgical tack. The applier includes an elongate tubular portion having a jacket with a main channel and a pair of longitudinally extending sub channels. A rotatable drive rod having a helical thread is coupled to the applier, and the sub channels receive the legs of the tack. The helical thread receives the arcuate cross-member of the surgical tack. Rotation of the drive rod drives the tack from the distal end of the applier.

Abstract: An expansible tunneling apparatus and associated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure. Various embodiments of one and two piece apparatus that permit laparoscopic observation both during tunneling and during subsequent balloon dissection are disclosed. In a disclosed one piece embodiment, a tubular member has a bore extending therethrough and an open distal end. A lip is formed in the distal end of the tubular member to capture the distal tip of a laparoscope that is inserted into the tubular member to permit observation of the procedure both during tunneling to a desired location and during subsequent balloon inflation. An elongated neck of the balloon is secured to the tunneling member. The elongated neck permits the tubular member to be withdrawn slightly from the balloon after inflation to facilitate observation.

Abstract: A surgical tacking apparatus for forming and applying surgical fasteners during laparoscopic or endoscopic procedures is disclosed. It includes a housing having a handle, an elongated tubular portion extending from the housing, a wire advancer, and a wire shaping nose at its distal end. An annular fastener is also disclosed.

Abstract: An expansible tunneling apparatus and associated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure. Various embodiments of one and two piece apparatus that permit laparoscopic observation both during tunneling and during subsequent balloon dissection are disclosed. In a disclosed one piece embodiment, a tubular member has a bore extending therethrough and an open distal end. A lip is formed in the distal end of the tubular member to capture the distal tip of a laparoscope that is inserted into the tubular member to permit observation of the procedure both during tunneling to a desired location and during subsequent balloon inflation. An elongated neck of the balloon is secured to the tunneling member. The elongated neck permits the tubular member to be withdrawn slightly from the balloon after inflation to facilitate observation.

Abstract: A surgical tacking apparatus for forming and applying surgical fasteners during laparoscopic or endoscopic procedures is disclosed. It includes a housing having a handle, an elongated tubular portion extending from the housing, a wire advancer, and a wire shaping nose at its distal end. An annular fastener is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laparoscopic apparatus for tunneling dissection including a hollow tunneling member and an inflatable balloon disposed at the distal end of the tunneling member to form together a blunt tipped obturator. The tunneling member has a bore sized allow the insertion of a conventional laparoscope therein to provide observation during surgical procedures. The laparoscope provides direct observation of dissection through the open distal end of the tunneling member. Observation is provided both when the device is used to tunnel between tissue layer to a region of interest within the body of a patient, and during subsequent balloon inflation when the tissue layers are dissected to cause separation of the tissue layers and the creature of an anatomical working space. After the anatomic space has been created, the device and laparoscope are withdrawn through the incision.

Abstract: A laparoscopic apparatus for tunneling dissection including a hollow tunneling member and an inflatable balloon disposed at the distal end of the tunneling member to form together a blunt tipped obturator. The tunneling member has a bore sized allow the insertion of a conventional laparoscope therein to provide observation during surgical procedures. After the anatomic space has been created, the device and laparoscope are withdrawn through the incision. The anatomic working space may be insufflated with an insufflation gas if required for the particular procedure. The apparatus is prepared for use by inserting the tunneling member into the interior of the balloon, forming the balloon into a generally cylindrical roll about the tunneling member, and preferably, through the use of an integral balloon cover, securing the balloon roll to the tunneling member to form a semi-rigid blunt tipped obturator.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body comprises an introducer and a sheath. The tubular sheath may surround the introducer, and may have a weakened region along its longitudinal axis. A handle may be provided on the sheath. The handle may be adapted to be pulled proximally to separate the weakened region and allow the sheath to be removed from the introducer. The sheath may be secured to the introducer via detents or latches on the handle.