Abstract: A dock for a surgical equipment holder is disclosed. The dock for a surgical equipment holder includes a base having a central arm mount and a lower clamping jaw. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes an upper clamp jaw movably coupled to the base. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes a central docking arm coupled to the central arm mount and a central ball cup coupled to the to the central docking arm. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes a central attachment nut coupled to the central ball cup. The central attachment nut may include an extendable moment arm, and the dock may also include a ball coupled between the central ball cup and the central attachment nut and a surgical equipment holder attached to the ball.

Abstract: A device includes a selection lever pivotably coupled to a housing, a shaft coupled to the housing, and a distal end assembly coupled to the shaft. When the selection lever is in a first position and an actuation lever is pivoted from a first position to a second position, a tip of the first needle extends from a first position across a first tissue bite area to a second position in which the tip is disposed within a first ferrule recess of a receiver portion of the distal end assembly. When the selection lever is in a second position and the actuation lever is pivoted from the first position to the second position, a tip of the second needle extends from a first position across a second tissue bite area to a second position in which the tip is disposed within a second ferrule recess of the receiver portion.

Abstract: A dock for a surgical equipment holder is disclosed. The dock for a surgical equipment holder includes a base having a central arm mount and a lower clamping jaw. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes an upper clamp jaw movably coupled to the base. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes a central docking arm coupled to the central arm mount and a central ball cup coupled to the to the central docking arm. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes a central attachment nut coupled to the central ball cup. The central attachment nut may include an extendable moment arm, and the dock may also include a ball coupled between the central ball cup and the central attachment nut and a surgical equipment holder attached to the ball.

Abstract: An adjustable motion limiter for a minimally invasive surgical device is disclosed. The adjustable motion limiter includes a cam surface and a positioning interface. Another adjustable motion limiter for a minimally invasive surgical device is disclosed. The adjustable motion limiter has a positioning interface comprising a grooved protrusion. The adjustable motion limiter also has a cam surface comprising an arcuate surface and facing a direction which is substantially perpendicular to a direction the positioning interface faces. The adjustable motion limiter further has an adjustment key and one or more locking teeth. A minimally invasive surgical device having an adjustable motion limiter is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable motion limiter for a minimally invasive surgical device is disclosed. The adjustable motion limiter includes a cam surface and a positioning interface. Another adjustable motion limiter for a minimally invasive surgical device is disclosed. The adjustable motion limiter has a positioning interface comprising a grooved protrusion. The adjustable motion limiter also has a cam surface comprising an arcuate surface and facing a direction which is substantially perpendicular to a direction the positioning interface faces. The adjustable motion limiter further has an adjustment key and one or more locking teeth. A minimally invasive surgical device having an adjustable motion limiter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for placing sutures through thick and/or moving tissue such as the wall of a beating heart. The device includes a tissue welting tip having a trough for forming a welt in a tissue section, an alignment guide having an opening receiving a guide wire and pivotally mounted in the distal end adjacent to the trough, and an elongated sleeve slidably engagable with the guide wire. The device also includes one or more expandable tissue engaging member(s) on the sleeve expandable from a collapsed configuration having a diameter small enough to pass through the opening in the tip to an expanded configuration having a diameter large enough to engage a tissue section and urge it into the trough to form a welt in the tissue section and a retractable needle extendable through at least two portions of a tissue section while the tissue section is engaged with the trough.

Abstract: A device for placing one or more sutures through a section of tissue, especially a section of thick and/or moving tissue such as the wall of a beating heart. The device includes a tissue welting tip having a trough for forming a welt in a tissue section, an alignment guide pivotally mounted in the distal end adjacent to the trough, and having an opening receiving a guide wire and an elongated sleeve slidably engagable with the guide wire there through. The device also includes one or more expandable tissue engaging member(s) on the sleeve selectively expandable from a collapsed configuration having a diameter small enough to pass through the opening in the tip to an expanded configuration having a diameter large enough to engage a tissue section and urge it into the trough to form a welt in the tissue section and a retractable needle extendable through at least two portions of a tissue section while the tissue section is engaged with the trough.

Abstract: An instrument and method for suturing wound closures is provided having a handle, shaft and suture engagement mechanism. The instrument provides for multiple placements or “bites” of suture in tissues to enable a wide variety of suturing techniques, including the ability to “run” a suture. The instrument further facilitates suture knot tying. The method of this instrument provides for rapid and effective remote suture placement and knot tying.

Abstract: An instrument and method for suturing wound closures is provided having a handle, shaft and suture engagement mechanism. The instrument provides for multiple placements or “bites” of suture in tissues to enable a wide variety of suturing techniques, including the ability to “run” a suture. The instrument further facilitates suture knot tying. The method of this instrument provides for rapid and effective remote suture placement and knot tying.

Abstract: A system is provided for closure of a wound in a patient, such as a puncture hole in a blood vessel, with a suture having a first apparatus for applying a suture capable of closing the wound and a second apparatus for securing a sleeve member over the suture to secure the wound closed. The first apparatus includes a housing, a shaft having first and second ends in which the first end is coupled to the housing, a tissue engaging section coupled to the second end of the shaft, and first and second needles which extend from the housing through the shaft into the tissue engaging section. The tissue engaging section is directed through the wound, and has first and second gaps in which each gap has opposing surfaces into which different sides of the wound can be received. The first needle is extendable into a holder through the first gap to capture one of the two ends of a suture material or thread, and is retractable with the captured suture.

Abstract: A system is provided for closure of a wound in a patient, such as a puncture hole in a blood vessel, with a suture having a first apparatus for applying a suture capable of closing the wound and a second apparatus for securing a sleeve member over the suture to secure the wound closed. The first apparatus includes a housing, a shaft having first and second ends in which the first end is coupled to the housing, a tissue engaging section coupled to the second end of the shaft, and first and second needles which extend from the housing through the shaft into the tissue engaging section. The tissue engaging section is directed through the wound, and has first and second gaps in which each gap has opposing surfaces into which different sides of the wound can be received. The first needle is extendable into a holder through the first gap to capture one of the two ends of a suture material or thread, and is retractable with the captured suture.

Abstract: A quick loader and associated method for a surgical suturing instrument of the type having at least one ferrule receiving chamber and a suture receiving passage, includes a loader body having a recess formed therein for receiving an end of a surgical suturing instrument, a seat adjacent the recess for releasably holding at least one ferrule-tipped end of a suture in the seat, the seat being aligned and adjacent to a ferrule receiving chamber in the suturing instrument when the instrument is positioned in the recess, for permitting the transfer of the ferrules from the seat on the loader into the ferrule receiving chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for projecting an image of a patient to intersect a display screen which is nonperpendicular to an adjacent portion of an optical path and adjacent a sterile operative field. A video projector system and accompanying optics impart at least one of a tilted focal plane or depth of focus to the projected image. The optical path of the projected image is located adjacent the surgical field. An initially sterile display screen is located in the optical path adjacent the sterile field so that a normal to the screen is noncoincident with the optical path and the projected image on the screen is of constant focus across the screen. The initially sterile display screen may be degradable upon cleaning and resterilization so that a new screen must be used with each procedure, thus insuring the optical quality and sterility of the screen. The display screen may be supported adjacent the surgical field by an articulated rod assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for carrying and attaching separate components of a compression anastomosis device to the end of tissue of a tubular hollow organ, which includes an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end; first and second compression anastomosis device components; a supporting member operatively associated with the distal end of the elongated housing, for supporting the first and second compression anastomosis device components; and assembling structure associated with the supporting member and operable from the proximal end of the elongated housing, for assembling the first and second compression anastomosis device components within tubular body tissue.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for manipulating body tissue includes a handle member consisting of a frame, a self contained fluid dispenser having a chamber for storing a supply of fluid and a plunger reciprocally moveable within the chamber for dispensing the fluid, and a trigger operatively connected to the plunger and moveable to cause corresponding movement of the plunger. The apparatus also includes a generally elongated member connected to the handle member and an inflatable member supported at the distal end portion of the elongated member in fluid communication with the fluid dispenser. A method for performing a tracheostomy with the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for suturing body tissue is provided having an elongated housing, first and second jaws pivotably mounted to the distal portion of elongated housing, and first and second needles movable with respect to the first and second jaws. A first actuating mechanism is operatively associated with the first and second jaws such that actuation moves the jaws from the first position to a second position. A second actuating mechanism is operatively associated with the first and second needles wherein actuation advances the first and second needles into body tissue. Each of the jaws has a recess for receiving body tissue and a ferrule attached to each end of the suture such that advancement of the needles engages the ferrule to pull the ferrule and suture through the body tissue when the needle is retracted.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for the morcellation of bodily tissue or bodily organ parts during an endoscopic surgical procedure. The instrument includes a handle assembly and a tubular body portion extending from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis. A tool assembly is associated with a distal end of the tubular body including cooperating jaw members and a cutting member. A first mechanism is for effectuating remote actuation of the cooperating jaw members and a second mechanism is for effectuating remote reciprocal movement of the cutting member with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a compression anastomosis of a hollow organ. The apparatus comprising a first collapsible member movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the first collapsible member having a longitudinal bore defined by an inner surface, a first mating member, locking structure disposed on the first collapsible member for locking the first collapsible member with the first mating member, a second collapsible member movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the second collapsible member having a longitudinal bore defined by an inner surface, a second mating member, locking structure disposed on the second collapsible member for locking the second collapsible member with the second mating member, and the first member adapted to interlock with the second member.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus, method of use and instrumentation kit are provided for suturing body tissue. The apparatus includes a handle assembly and an elongated body assembly detachably engaged to the handle assembly. The elongated body assembly includes an actuating mechanism for sequentially pulling the first and second ferrule portions of a length of suture material through body tissue. The length of suture material and the first and second ferrule portions are releasably retained in the elongated body assembly. The instrumentation kit includes the surgical apparatus and at least one additional elongated body assembly in an enclosure.