Abstract: A surgical stapling system, apparatus and staple wherein a resilient staple has a relaxed closed configuration, is expanded into an open crescent shape, and finally is allowed to return to its closed configuration while simultaneously piercing and drawing together adjacent edges of an open incision or wound. The stapling apparatus contains a plurality of staples and includes projections which engage and secure each staple to the apparatus until its closure to tissue is complete and separation from the apparatus is desired. Further mechanism is provided to control the staple as it closes and optionally to re-open a closed or partially closed staple.

Abstract: This invention is a retention suture bridge device for positioning and securing the exposed portion of a retention suture above and out of contact with an incision closure while the retention suture remains tied. This new device is formed of an arch part with end parts thereof aligned along a longitudinal axis, a series of holes along the arch through which the ends of a retention suture may be extended, and a generally round foot part secured to each end part and pivotal on the end part about the longitudinal axis.