Abstract: A surgical retractor is disclosed having a handle portion, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle portion and including an outer tube, a fixed stabilizing member extending from a distal end of the outer tube and a pair of resilient bands pivotably connected to a distal end portion of the stabilizing member. An actuation mechanism is provided which is associated with the handle portion and proximal end portions of the bands for moving the bands between open and closed position. The surgical retractor further includes a sheath dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the stabilizing member and the bands.

Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating cartridge assembly mounted to a distal end of the elongated portion. An anvil member is operatively associated with the articulating cartridge assembly and has a forming surface, thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge assembly. A collar which is provided in the elongated portion translates longitudinally to draw a cable which operates to move the anvil member relative to the cartridge assembly, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for elevating, approximating and/or restraining internal organs or structures, and more particularly for treating female urinary stress incontinence are provided. The apparatus include an anchoring device having an elongated suture with an anchor at each end thereof and a cinching member therebetween for adjusting the operative length of the suture, an articulating apparatus for applying the anchoring device during an endoscopic or laparoscopic procedure, and an apparatus for drawing the suture relative to the cinching member after it has been emplaced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for elevating, approximating and/or restraining internal organs or structures, and more particularly for treating female urinary stress incontinence are provided. The apparatus include an anchoring device having an elongated suture with an anchor at each end thereof and a cinching member therebetween for adjusting the operative length of the suture, an articulating apparatus for applying the anchoring device during an endoscopic or laparoscopic procedure, and an apparatus for drawing the suture relative to the cinching member after it has been emplaced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for elevating, approximating and/or restraining internal organs or structures, and more particularly for treating female urinary stress incontinence is provided. The invention includes an anchoring device having an elongated suture with an anchor at each end thereof and a cinching member therebetween for adjusting the length of the suture, an apparatus for applying the anchoring device, and an apparatus for drawing the suture relative to the cinching member after it has been emplaced. The method involves securing a first anchor to a first structure, such as the vaginal wall, securing a second anchor to a second structure, such as Cooper's ligament, and drawing the suture relative to the cinching member to approximate the first and second anchors, and thereby move the first structure and the second structure into juxtaposition so as to approximate them.

Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating cartridge assembly mounted to a distal end of the elongated portion. An anvil member is operatively associated with the articulating cartridge assembly and has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge assembly. A collar which is provided in the elongated portion translates longitudinally to draw a cable which operates to move the anvil member relative to the cartridge assembly, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating cartridge assembly mounted to a distal end of the elongated portion. An anvil member is operatively associated with the articulating cartridge assembly and has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge assembly. A collar which is provided in the elongated portion translates longitudinally to draw a cable which operates to move the anvil member relative to the cartridge assembly, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A suture holding clip including legs each having a suture contacting surface. The legs can be closed to define an interface for holding a suture in a serpentine configuration. In another embodiment the suture holding clip is initially in a spider leg configuration with a spine and legs projecting from the spine and alternately angled to one or the other of two directions so as to define therebetween a lengthwise extending passage for the reception therethrough of a suture.

Abstract: A detachable anvil assembly for use with an apparatus for performing circular anastomosis of tubular organs includes an elongated anvil rod having proximal and distal end portions and an anvil head mounted to the distal end portion of the anvil rod. The distal end portion is pivotally mounted and is adapted to pivot approximately plus or minus ninety degrees relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the rod. An elongated delivery member detachably receives the anvil assembly and facilitates delivery of the anvil assembly to the operative site. The pivoting feature of the distal end reduces the transverse profile of the assembly which consequently facilitates introduction and advancement of the anvil assembly within the tubular organ.

Abstract: A suture holding clip including legs each having a suture contacting surface. The legs can be closed to define an interface for holding a suture in a serpentine configuration. In another embodiment the suture holding clip is initially in a spider leg configuration with a spine and legs projecting from the spine and alternately angled to one or the other of two directions so as to define therebetween a lengthwise extending passage for the reception therethrough of a suture.

Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating cartridge assembly mounted to a distal end of the elongated portion. An anvil member is operatively associated with the articulating cartridge assembly and has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge assembly. A collar which is provided in the elongated portion translates longitudinally to draw a cable which operates to move the anvil member relative to the cartridge assembly, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: An anvilless surgical apparatus is provided for applying surgical fasteners to secure grafting material to a desired layer of tissue. The apparatus includes a housing having a nose portion at a distal end and a handle at its proximal end. A surgical fastener cartridge is mounted in the nose portion and is adapted to receive a plurality of surgical fasteners in longitudinal alignment therein. The cartridge is generally oriented substantially perpendicular to the handle. A drive shaft is provided within the housing for driving the surgical fasteners through the grafting material and at least partially into the layer of underlying tissue. The drive shaft is actuable by the handle and general has a pusher rod movable between a distal fired position and a retracted proximal loaded position.

Abstract: The surgical stapling instrument is provided with an integral cartridge holders as well as a retaining pin and recess which serves to align the cartridge holder relative to the anvil while retaining the distal actuator bar from pivoting into an open position. In addition, the stapling cartridge is provided with four rows of staggered staples in order to provide a stapled seam through which blood is precluded from flowing.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices for maintaining uniform the slack of a continuum of material while it is in process. One embodiment, particularly useful with machinery for wrapping tire-bead chafing strips, comprises an axle-mounted idler roll wherein the axle is supported by a pair of ball bushings mounted one each on support rods. The axes of the rods are parallel and variably inclineable so as to increase selectively the slope of the axes along which the ball bushings are impelled gravitationally, in opposition to the continuum of material as it is looped about and moves past or over the surface of the roll.