Abstract: An end effector is provided and includes a distal housing portion and a proximal housing portion interconnected to one another by a knuckle portion, wherein the knuckle portion permits rotation of the distal housing portion relative thereto and articulation of the distal housing portion relative to the proximal housing portion; a jaw assembly supported in the distal end of the distal housing portion, the jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw movable between a spaced apart and an approximated position; and a plurality of fasteners loaded within the distal housing portion, each of the plurality of fasteners defining a fastener axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to a pair of legs thereof, each of the plurality of fasteners being arranged within the base portion such that the fastener axis is disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the distal housing portion.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a housing, a drive assembly, a trigger, and a shaft assembly. The trigger is operatively connected with the drive assembly. The drive assembly is at least partially positioned within the housing. The shaft assembly extends distally from the housing and has a first tubular member pivotally connected with a second tubular member located distally from the first tubular member. An articulation mechanism is operatively connected between the first and second tubular members, and includes a gear rack, at least one gear, and a gear segment, respectfully connected with each other to pivot the second tubular member about the pivot axis. The gear rack and at least one gear are located within the first tubular member. The gear segment extends proximally from the second tubular member.

Abstract: An end effector is provided and includes a distal housing portion and a proximal housing portion interconnected to one another by a knuckle portion, wherein the knuckle portion permits rotation of the distal housing portion relative thereto and articulation of the distal housing portion relative to the proximal housing portion; a jaw assembly supported in the distal end of the distal housing portion, the jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw movable between a spaced apart and an approximated position; and a plurality of fasteners loaded within the distal housing portion, each of the plurality of fasteners defining a fastener axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to a pair of legs thereof, each of the plurality of fasteners being arranged within the base portion such that the fastener axis is disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the distal housing portion.

Abstract: A surgical device including an end effector that is configured and adapted to receive an interchangeable tip is disclosed. Also disclosed are several interchangeable tips that are configured and adapted for different surgical procedures. The interchangeable tips facilitate the performance of different surgical procedures while using the same device.

Abstract: A surgical device has a handle assembly and an elongated member extending distally from the handle assembly. A tool assembly is mounted to a distal end of the elongated member. The tool assembly has a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples. The tool assembly further has an anvil assembly. At least one of the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly is movable in relation to each other between open and closed positions. At least one of the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly has at least a portion configured for transitioning between a longitudinally extended state and a longitudinally retracted state. A transitioning mechanism is configured to transition at least one of the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly between the extended and retracted states.

Abstract: An end effector is provided and includes a distal housing portion and a proximal housing portion interconnected to one another by a knuckle portion, wherein the knuckle portion permits rotation of the distal housing portion relative thereto and articulation of the distal housing portion relative to the proximal housing portion; a jaw assembly supported in the distal end of the distal housing portion, the jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw movable between a spaced apart and an approximated position; and a plurality of fasteners loaded within the distal housing portion, each of the plurality of fasteners defining a fastener axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to a pair of legs thereof, each of the plurality of fasteners being arranged within the base portion such that the fastener axis is disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the distal housing portion.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a housing, a drive assembly, a trigger, and a shaft assembly. The trigger is operatively connected with the drive assembly. The drive assembly is at least partially positioned within the housing. The shaft assembly extends distally from the housing and has a first tubular member pivotally connected with a second tubular member located distally from the first tubular member. An articulation mechanism is operatively connected between the first and second tubular members, and includes a gear rack, at least one gear, and a gear segment, respectfully connected with each other to pivot the second tubular member about the pivot axis. The gear rack and at least one gear are located within the first tubular member. The gear segment extends proximally from the second tubular member.

Abstract: An end effector is provided and includes a distal housing portion and a proximal housing portion interconnected to one another by a knuckle portion, wherein the knuckle portion permits rotation of the distal housing portion relative thereto and articulation of the distal housing portion relative to the proximal housing portion; a jaw assembly supported in the distal end of the distal housing portion, the jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw movable between a spaced apart and an approximated position; and a plurality of fasteners loaded within the distal housing portion, each of the plurality of fasteners defining a fastener axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to a pair of legs thereof, each of the plurality of fasteners being arranged within the base portion such that the fastener axis is disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the distal housing portion.

Abstract: A clip applying apparatus is provided which includes a jaw mechanism supported within and extending from the distal end of a body portion of the apparatus. The jaw mechanism includes a proximal body portion, first and second shank members and first and second jaw members. The first and second shank members extend distally from the proximal body portion of the jaw mechanism. The first and second jaw members are supported on the distal end of the first and second shank members and are configured to receive a ligation clip therebetween. In a particularly useful embodiment, each jaw is curved upwardly towards its distal end along the longitudinal axis of the body portion and has a radius of curvature “r” of between about 0.5 inch and about 0.9 inch. In a particularly useful embodiment, r is about 0.7 inch.

Abstract: A surgical fastening apparatus includes a handle, an elongated member extending distally from the handle and a fastener applier and anvil head disposed at the distal end of the elongated member. The elongated member defines a distal offset end portion upon which the fastener applier and the anvil head are mounted. The offset end portion is angularly oriented with respect to the axis of the instrument at a predetermined fixed angle (e.g., either 45°, 60° and 75° relative to the axis of the instrument) thereby positioning the fastener applier and the anvil head at the fixed angle. This feature facilitates positioning of the tissue with respect to the instrument and enhances visual access to the tissue when appropriately disposed within the fastener applier and the anvil head. Various mechanisms for effectuating the clamping of the tissue between the fastener holder and anvil, and the firing of the instrument are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical clip for a clip applier has a first leg connected to a second leg at a first location and the first leg separated from the second leg by a predetermined distance at a second location spaced from the first location. The first leg has a first distal end and the second leg has a second distal end. The first leg has a tissue gripping region and the second leg has the second tissue gripping region. The first tissue gripping region has a first recess on the first leg. The second tissue gripping region has a second recess on the second leg. When the clip is compressed the first recess is compressed toward the second recess and the first recess and the second recess overlap to form a two dimensional polygonal pattern with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue includes an actuator at least partially disposed within a body and longitudinally movable in response to actuation of a handle portion. The apparatus includes a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the first and second jaw portions to move the jaw portions to the approximated position and a rack having ratchet teeth connected to the actuator. The apparatus includes a pawl engaging a series of ratchet teeth and capable of preventing an inadvertent return of the actuator before full actuation of the apparatus. A clip pusher incrementally moves distally each time a clip is released from the apparatus. When the clip pusher reaches a predetermined distal point in a clip carrying channel, a feed bar is deflected to a second position to prevent retraction but not advancement of the actuator and thereby manipulates the pawl to engage the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A specimen removal apparatus includes a pouch assembly fabricated from a flexible membrane, a pouch support, a drawstring having a knot and forming a noose disposed circumferentially around a mouth of the pouch assembly, an endoscopic tubular portion, and a drive rod. The pouch assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed guide members advantageously circumferentially spaced apart to define gaps therebetween. The guide members are disposed in a circumferential pathway proximal to the mouth of the pouch assembly. When the drawstring is pulled, the knot is stopped at an end of a guide member and the noose is closed, thereby closing the mouth of the pouch assembly. The pouch assembly is detachable from the apparatus.

Abstract: A specimen removal apparatus includes a pouch assembly fabricated from a flexible membrane, a pouch support, a drawstring having a knot and forming a noose disposed circumferentially around a mouth of the pouch assembly, an endoscopic tubular portion, and a drive rod. The pouch support includes a rocker arm assembly attached to a distal end of the drive rod. Proximal pulling of the drawstring closes the noose, thereby closing the mouth of the pouch assembly. The pouch assembly is detachable from the apparatus.

Abstract: A clip applying apparatus is provided which includes a jaw mechanism having a stationary jaw and a movable jaw. The movable jaw is supported on or formed integrally with the distal end of a crimping member which is movably supported within a body portion of the apparatus. The stationary jaw defines a longitudinal axis which forms an angle ? of between about 15 degrees and about 15 degrees and about 75 degrees in relation to a longitudinal axis of the body portion. In another embodiment, the stationary jaw includes a clip receiving channel which is configured to at least partially receive a surgical clip.

Abstract: A surgical fastening apparatus includes a handle, an elongated member extending distally from the handle and a fastener applier and anvil head disposed at the distal end of the elongated member. The elongated member defines a distal offset end portion upon which the fastener applier and the anvil head are mounted. The offset end portion is angularly oriented with respect to the axis of the instrument at a predetermined fixed angle (e.g., either 45°, 60° and 75° relative to the axis of the instrument) thereby positioning the fastener applier and the anvil head at the fixed angle. This feature facilitates positioning of the tissue with respect to the instrument and enhances visual access to the tissue when appropriately disposed within the fastener applier and the anvil head. Various mechanisms for effectuating the clamping of the tissue between the fastener holder and anvil, and the firing of the instrument are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical clip applying apparatus is disclosed which has a handle portion, a body extending distally from the handle portion defining a longitudinal axis and a number of surgical clips disposed within the body. The apparatus has a movable member biased in the housing adjacent the wedge plate. An actuator longitudinally advances the wedge plate a predetermined distance to a distal most position. The wedge plate has an end being disposed between first and second jaw portions at the distal most position. The wedge plate end is configured to maintain the jaw assembly in the spaced apart position during loading of the surgical clip and the wedge plate end reduces torque and external forces on the jaw assembly during the loading. The movable member holds the wedge plate in the distal most position during the loading and the movable member is deflected at a conclusion of the loading. The movable member releases the wedge plate upon deflection.

Abstract: A clip applying apparatus is described for applying clips seriatim to tissue. The apparatus includes a lockout member for limiting distal movement of the camming member after the proximal-most clip has been applied to tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a jaw locking member for preventing approximation of the jaw members of the apparatus. In one embodiment, a latch assembly is provided to releasably engage a clip pusher of the apparatus to the camming member of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue has a handle portion with a body extending distally from the handle portion defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the body. The apparatus also has a jaw assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body with the jaw assembly including first and second jaw portions movable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. The apparatus further has a wedge plate longitudinally movable between the first and the second jaw portions, and a clip pusher configured to individually distally advance a surgical clip to the jaw assembly while the jaw portions are in the spaced apart position with an actuator. The actuator is at least partially disposed within the body and longitudinally movable in response to actuation of the handle portion and has a cam link.

Abstract: An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue has a handle portion and a body extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The apparatus also has a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the body, and a jaw assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body. The jaw assembly includes first and second jaw portions movable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. The apparatus also has a wedge plate longitudinally movable between the first and the second jaw portions, and a clip pusher configured to individually distally advance a surgical clip to the jaw assembly while the jaw portions are in the spaced apart position. The apparatus still further has an actuator at least partially disposed within the body and longitudinally movable in response to actuation of the handle portion and a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the first and second jaw portions to move the jaw portions to the approximated position.