Abstract: An 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 first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.

Abstract: An 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 first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.

Abstract: Surgical instrumentation and methods for performing a bypass procedure in a digestive system incorporate laparoscopic techniques to minimize surgical trauma to the patient. The instrumentation includes an outer guide member dimensioned for insertion and passage through an esophagus of a patient and defining an opening therein extending at least along a portion of the length of the outer guide member, an elongate anvil delivery member at least partially disposed within the opening of the outer guide member and being adapted for longitudinal movement within the outer guide member between an initial position and an actuated position and an anvil operatively engageable with the delivery member. The anvil includes an anvil rod defining a longitudinal axis and an anvil head connected to the anvil rod.

Abstract: Surgical instrumentation and methods for performing a bypass procedure in a digestive system incorporate laparoscopic techniques to minimize surgical trauma to the patient. The instrumentation includes an outer guide member dimensioned for insertion and passage through an esophagus of a patient and defining an opening therein extending at least along a portion of the length of the outer guide member, an elongate anvil delivery member at least partially disposed within the opening of the outer guide member and being adapted for longitudinal movement within the outer guide member between an initial position and an actuated position and an anvil operatively engageable with the delivery member. The anvil includes an anvil rod defining a longitudinal axis and an anvil head connected to the anvil rod.

Abstract: Surgical instrumentation and methods for performing a bypass procedure in a digestive system incorporate laparoscopic techniques to minimize surgical trauma to the patient. The instrumentation includes an outer guide member dimensioned for insertion and passage through an esophagus of a patient and defining an opening therein extending at least along a portion of the length of the outer guide member, an elongate anvil delivery member at least partially disposed within the opening of the outer guide member and being adapted for longitudinal movement within the outer guide member between an initial position and an actuated position and an anvil operatively engageable with the delivery member. The anvil includes an anvil rod defining a longitudinal axis and an anvil head connected to the anvil rod.

Abstract: An improved surgical dilator extractor is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a trocar cannula and expanded, forming a tissue receiving space, at the distal end. The tissue receiving space is enlarged by passing a grasper through a lumen of the dilator extractor to interact with a guide surface on the interior of dilator extractor to expand a dilator portion having a single leaf beyond the natural resiliency of the leaf. The tissue being extracted is then manipulated into the space with the grasper. The tissue is then removed from the cavity by the surgeon applying a force onto the dilator extractor that insures the elongation of the tissue and temporarily dilates the entry wound to the extent necessary for the tissue to be removed. Alternative embodiments of the surgical dilator extractor and related instrument tool sets and methods for the use thereof also are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical dilator extractor is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a trocar cannula and expanded, forming a tissue receiving space, at the distal end. The tissue that is to be extracted is then suctioned to the dilator. The tissue is then removed from the cavity by the surgeon applying a force onto the dilator extractor that insures the elongation of the tissue and temporarily dilates the entry wound to the extent necessary for the tissue to be removed. Alternative embodiments of the surgical dilator extractor and related instrument tool sets and methods for the use thereof also are disclosed.

Abstract: An 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 first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.

Abstract: A surgical ligation instrument and method for ligating a fluid carrying structure are provided. In one aspect, there is provided a surgical ligation instrument and method for deploying a spring clip over the fluid carrying structure without pre-clamping the fluid carrying structure.

Abstract: An 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 first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.

Abstract: An arterial closure device for use following coronary catherization procedures to close arterial access openings through the arterial wall while permitting post operative flow through the artery includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis, first and second arterial tissue everting members mounted adjacent the distal end of the housing and first and second jaw members mounted adjacent the first and second tissue engaging members. The first and second arterial tissue everting members are dimensioned for at least partial positioning within the arterial access opening in the arterial wall and are deployable in at least a radial outward direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing to engage respective opposed arterial tissue portions on opposed sides of the opening and move the tissue arterial portions to an everted condition thereof.

Abstract: Disposable loading units (DLUs) configured for mounting to a robotic arm for performing at least one surgical task are presented. Each DLU includes an attachment platform having at least one connector for engaging at least one connector on a distal end of the robotic arm for connecting the DLU to the robotic arm, a head portion connected to the attachment platform at one end and configured for housing an electro-mechanical actuation assembly therein, and at least one surgical tool member extending from the head portion and operatively associated with the electro-mechanical actuation assembly for controlling the operation and movement of the at least one surgical tool member. The at least one surgical tool member may include a cutting assembly, an aortic hole punch assembly, a lasing assembly, a coring assembly, or a vascular suturing assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade. A surgical instrument is provided which is engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Disposable loading units (DLUs) configured for mounting to a robotic arm for performing at least one surgical task are presented. Each DLU includes an attachment platform having at least one connector for engaging at least one connector on a distal end of the robotic arm for connecting the DLU to the robotic arm, a head portion connected to the attachment platform at one end and configured for housing an electro-mechanical actuation assembly therein, and at least one surgical tool member extending from the head portion and operatively associated with the electro-mechanical actuation assembly for controlling the operation and movement of the at least one surgical tool member. The at least one surgical tool member may include a cutting assembly, an aortic hole punch assembly, a lasing assembly, a coring assembly, or a vascular suturing assembly.

Abstract: An improved surgical dilator extractor is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a trocar cannula and expanded, forming a tissue receiving space, at the distal end. The tissue receiving space is enlarged by passing a grasper through a lumen of the dilator extractor to interact with a guide surface on the interior of dilator extractor to expand a dilator portion having a single leaf beyond the natural resiliency of the leaf. The tissue being extracted is then manipulated into the space with the grasper. The tissue is then removed from the cavity by the surgeon applying a force onto the dilator extractor that insures the elongation of the tissue and temporarily dilates the entry wound to the extent necessary for the tissue to be removed. Alternative embodiments of the surgical dilator extractor and related instrument tool sets and methods for the use thereof also are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade. A surgical instrument is provided which is engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Surgical instrumentation and methods for performing a bypass procedure in a digestive system incorporate laparoscopic techniques to minimize surgical trauma to the patient. The instrumentation includes an outer guide member dimensioned for insertion and passage through an esophagus of a patient and defining an opening therein extending at least along a portion of the length of the outer guide member, an elongate anvil delivery member at least partially disposed within the opening of the outer guide member and being adapted for longitudinal movement within the outer guide member between an initial position and an actuated position and an anvil operatively engageable with the delivery member. The anvil includes an anvil rod defining a longitudinal axis and an anvil head connected to the anvil rod.

Abstract: An endo-vascular fastener applicator is provided for endo-luminal fastening a prosthetic to a vessel with a fastener. The applicator includes a tubular body that is configured for positioning within a vessel; an expandable portion disposed adjacent distal end of the tubular body, and deployed to support a prosthetic in contact with an inner surface of a vessel; and a drive assembly for advancing a fastener into the prosthetic. The applicator may include a control assembly; and a delivery tube that is disposed for movement within the tubular body, and which defines a channel for movement of the drive assembly therewithin. The delivery tube may include an applicator head having an injection mount that is disposed for movement relative to the prosthetic. A method for endo-luminal repairing a damaged portion of a vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: An 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 first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.

Abstract: An arterial closure device for use following coronary catherization procedures to close arterial access openings through the arterial wall while permitting post operative flow through the artery includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis, first and second arterial tissue everting members mounted adjacent the distal end of the housing and first and second jaw members mounted adjacent the first and second tissue engaging members. The first and second arterial tissue everting members are dimensioned for at least partial positioning within the arterial access opening in the arterial wall and are deployable in at least a radial outward direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing to engage respective opposed arterial tissue portions on opposed sides of the opening and move the tissue arterial portions to an everted condition thereof.