Abstract: A method for percutaneous dissection of a segment of vascular tissue from a patient is provided which includes providing an elongated tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, and blunt dissection structure positioned adjacent the distal end of the tubular member and remotely actuable from adjacent the proximal end of the tubular member. The method further provides for percutaneously accessing a first end portion of the vascular tissue segment, the blunt dissection structure is positioned adjacent the vascular tissue segment and is actuated to bluntly dissect the vascular tissue segment from surrounding body tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating closure of an opening in a blood vessel, includes a closure instrument having an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends. The elongated member has a vacuum lumen extending at least a portion of the length thereof for conveying a vacuum and terminating in a vacuum port adjacent the distal end of the elongated member. The distal end of the elongated member is dimensioned to be positioned proximal a vessel opening in a blood vessel whereby vessel edge portions defining the vessel opening are at least drawn toward the vacuum port in response to a vacuum conveyed through the vacuum lumen. At least one surgical clip is mounted adjacent the distal end of the elongated member and is adapted to be formed to an at least partially formed condition thereof.

Abstract: A surgical stapling or fastening instrument for applying surgical fasteners to tissue having an adjustable closure mechanism to linearly approximate the distance between the jaw members of the instrument. The adjustable closure mechanism consists of a retaining mechanism and a linkage structure which is actuable to linearly urge the jaw members towards each other. A coupling arrangement is also provided which permits firing of the staples or fasteners only when the jaw members are approximated a predetermined distance towards each other.

Abstract: A surgical retractor device for manipulating organs during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The retractor device includes a loop of material at a distal end of the instrument which is extendable and retractable from the elongated body portion of the instrument. The loop of material may be detached to be wrapped about an organ and reattached to secure the organ. Once the organ is secured, the loop of material may be retracted into the body portion of the instrument to manipulate the organ.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for anastomosis of first and second blood vessels is provided having a handle and a body portion extending distally from the handle. A collet is mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body portion and defines a passage therethrough for the reception of an end of a first blood vessel. A plurality of surgical fasteners are releasably supported by the collet and radially oriented about the distal end thereof. An anvil is mounted adjacent of the collet. The anvil and collet are relatively slidable in response to actuation of the handle to simultaneously deform then release the surgical fasteners.

Abstract: A tagging device for marking the location of lesions within the body prior to a surgical procedure such as excision or biopsy. The device includes an elongated tube having one end supported on a housing and a second end extending distally therefrom. An anchor is positioned within the distal end of the elongated tube and has an elongated member extending proximally therefrom. An actuation assembly including a plunger is movable within the tube to engage and push the anchor from the distal end of the tube. The anchor and the actuation assembly are positioned and configured such that the anchor is pivoted from a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube to a position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube as it as being pushed from the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides endoscopic instrumentation and surgical techniques especially useful for accessing and removing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc. Instrumentation includes tissue spreaders and cutting instruments. In particular, the tissue spreading instruments include instruments for spreading pre-sacral tissue such as fascia and for spreading adjacent vertebrae to facilitate access to the intervertebral disc. Endoscopic cutting instruments deliver a cutting blade in a sheathed position to the site of the disc nucleus followed by deployment to remove portions of the disc nucleus.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for cutting tissue, which includes a housing, a cutting element movable between a retracted position disposed substantially within the housing and a deployed position extending outwardly from the housing, a guide member configured and dimensioned to direct orientation of the cutting element, operatively connected to the housing and defining a longitudinal axis, the guide member movable from a first orientation wherein the longitudinal axis of the guide member is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing to a second orientation wherein the longitudinal axis of the guide member is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for anastomosis of first and second blood vessels is provided having a handle and a body portion extending distally from the handle. A fastener support is mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body portion. A plurality of surgical fasteners are releasably supported by the fastener support at the distal end thereof. The surgical fasteners each have a leg with an atraumatic tip. A fastener camming member is mounted adjacent the fastener support. The fastener camming member and fastener support are relatively slidable in response to actuation of the handle to simultaneously deform the surgical fasteners to secure the first and second vessels without piercing the vessels.

Abstract: A surgical stapling or fastening instrument for applying surgical fasteners to tissue having an adjustable closure mechanism to linearly approximate the distance between the jaw members of the instrument. The adjustable closure mechanism consists of an advancing mechanism and a retaining mechanism, wherein the actuating mechanism is actuable to urge the jaw members towards each other. A coupling arrangement is also provided which permits firing of the staples or fasteners only when the jaw members are approximated a predetermined distance from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides endoscopic instrumentation and surgical techniques especially useful for accessing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc. Vertebrae spreading instruments are provided for spreading adjacent vertebrae to facilitate access to the intervertebral disc are. The disclosed surgical method uses an anterior approach to access the intervertebral disc and spreads adjacent vertebrae utilizing an endoscopic vertebrae spreading instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical clips through an endoscopic tube includes an endoscopic portion housing a jaw blade, a pusher bar for feeding clips one at a time to the jaws, a channel bar for camming the jaw blades into closed position, and an array of surgical clips. The body of the apparatus comprises a frame housing an actuating mechanism and a transmission mechanism for transferring movement to the pusher bar and channel. The endoscopic portion is rotatable relative Go the frame. In one embodiment the apparatus is a single disposable unit. In an alternative embodiment the endoscopic portion is detachable and disposable whereas the non-endoscopic body portion is reusable.

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: The present invention provides endoscopic instrumentation and surgical techniques especially useful for accessing and removing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc. Instrumentation includes tissue spreaders and cutting instruments. In particular, the tissue spreading instruments include instruments for spreading pre-sacral tissue such as fascia and for spreading adjacent vertebrae to facilitate access to the intervertebral disc. Endoscopic cutting instruments deliver a cutting blade in a sheathed position to the site of the disc nucleus followed by deployment to remove portions of the disc nucleus.

Abstract: The present invention provides endoscopic instrumentation and surgical techniques especially useful for accessing at least a portion of an intervertebral disc. Vertebrae spreading instruments are provided for spreading adjacent vertebrae to facilitate access to the intervertebral disc are. The disclosed surgical method uses an anterior approach to access the intervertebral disc and spreads adjacent vertebrae utilizing an endoscopic vertebrae spreading instrument.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument for performing endoscopic procedures such as carpal tunnel release. The cutting instrument consists of a tubular sheath or obturator constructed of a transparent material which is connected to a handle which includes means for securing a viewing instrument such as an endoscope thereto. A cutting blade is moved from a first protected or enclosed position to a second armed position, where only the blade edge is exposed at an opening in the obturator.

Abstract: A compression device for the anastomosis of a tubular hollow organ, having a first collapsible member movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, said first collapsible member having a first end and a second end; a second collapsible member movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, said second collapsible member adapted to be joined with said first end of said first collapsible member; and a third collapsible member adapted to be joined with said second end of said second collapsible member; wherein at least one of said first, second or third collapsible members comprises at least one resilient hinge portion disposed thereon which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of said device to facilitate the collapsibility thereof. Also provided are surgical instruments for carrying and placing the compression device components and a device for approximating surgical devices. A method for forming a compression anastomosis, is also provided.

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 surgical stapling or fastening instrument for applying surgical fasteners to tissue having an adjustable closure mechanism to linearly approximate the distance between the jaw members of the instrument. The adjustable closure mechanism consists of a retaining mechanism and a linkage structure which is actuable to linearly urge the jaw members towards each other. A coupling arrangement is also provided which permits firing of the staples or fasteners only when the jaw members are approximated a predetermined distance towards each other.

Abstract: A surgical stapler for placing lateral lines of staples and making an incision, all through an endoscopic tube, includes an anvil member which is mounted to the distal end of an elongated housing. A tubular collar disposed around the arm of the anvil member is movable to a distal position to bias the anvil member and a cartridge assembly into cooperative alignment, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened between the anvil member and cartridge assembly.