Abstract: A clip cartridge for supporting a plurality of clips is provided. The clip cartridge includes a body defining a plurality of clip chambers each configured and dimensioned to receive a clip therein. Interlocking structure is provided on each end of the cartridge to facilitate attachment of a multiplicity of clip cartridges together. Clip cartridges housing different size clips have substantially identical external dimensions and internal dimensions which accommodate for the different size clips. The uniformity of the external dimensions of the cartridges housing different size clips facilitates attachment of the cartridges housing different size clips.

Abstract: A lamp mount assembly (9) includes: a centrally located glass stem (10) having a convex surface; upper and lower banding straps (11, 13) circumferentially encompassing, and crimped to, the centrally located glass stem (10), the banding straps (11, 13) each further comprising oppositely disposed crimp portions, a first of the crimp portions being an interlocking crimp portion (12a, 12b) and a second of the crimp portions being a solid crimp portion (13a), the interlocking crimp portion of the upper banding strap (11) overlying the solid crimp portion (13a) of the lower banding strap (13); and a pair of mount frames (14) disposed about the centrally located glass stem (10), the banding straps (11, 13) holding the mounting frames (14) in place about the glass stem (10), the mounting frames (14) having a coined, concave surface substantially matching the convex surface of the glass stem (10).

Abstract: A handle assembly for a medical instrument having at least one member moveable in at least a first direction against a first bias and a second direction against a second bias stronger than the first bias, includes a housing, a trigger operatively associated with the at least one member and pivotably mounted relative to the housing for pivot around a first limited pivot point and a second pivot point, the trigger being pivotable relative to the housing between a rest position and a pivoted position, wherein pivot of the trigger relative to the housing from the rest position toward the pivoted position results in pivot first around the first limited pivot point and movement of the at least one member in the first direction against the first bias, and subsequently in pivot around the second pivot point and movement of the at least one member in the second direction against the second bias.

Abstract: A tissue grasping device is disclosed having a distal end and a proximal end and a central axis extending from end to end. Three tissue engaging tines are located at the distal end, two of which are rotatable, and one of which is spaced from the other two and slidable lengthwise of the plicator. The tines are parallel to one another and to the main axis of the plicator. Actuating mechanism in the form of rack and pinion mechanisms rotate the rotatable tines relative to one another, to grip a portion of the tissue. The non-rotatable times space the portion of the tissue being operated on from the rotatable tine. A push-pull knob mechanism or a thumb-operated lever is employed at the proximal end of the plicator to slide the non-rotatable tine lengthwise of the device to position it in and out of its operating position.

Abstract: A tissue grasping device is disclosed having a distal end and a proximal end and a central axis extending from end to end. Three tissue engaging tines are located at the distal end, two of which are rotatable, and one of which is spaced from the other two and slidable lengthwise of the plicator. The tines are parallel to one another and to the main axis of the plicator. An actuating mechanism in the form of a rack and pinion mechanism rotate the rotatable tines relative to one another, to grip a portion of the tissue. The non-rotatable tines space the portion of the tissue being operated on from the rotatable tine. A knob mechanism is employed at the proximal end of the plicator to slide the non-rotatable tine lengthwise of the device to position it in and out of its operating position.

Abstract: A surgical staple remover includes a first elongate member having a forward first end, a rearward second end and a central portion therebetween, the first end terminating in two spaced anvil members, a second elongate member having a forward first end, a rearward second end and a central portion therebetween, the first end terminating in a blade member adapted to fit between the two spaced anvil members, a releasable pivot member for releasably and pivotably joining the first end of the first member and the first end of the second member at a pivot point, and a releasable joining member for joining the second end of the first member and the second end of the second member and for holding the releasable pivot member in a pivotably joined position, at least one of the first and second members being at least partially bowed whereby movement of the central portion of the first member relative to the central portion of the second member provides pivot of the anvil members relative to the blade member.

Abstract: A surgical staple has a base having first and second base segments defining in an un-deformed state a substantially V-shaped configuration having an apex, each base segment having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first base segment is joined to the first end of the second base segment at the apex of the V-shaped configuration so as to define a first angle between the first base segment and the second base segment of less than about 180.degree. and first and second legs each having a first end and a second end, the first and second legs being connected substantially perpendicularly at the first ends to the second ends of the first and second base segments respectively. A surgical stapler for applying surgical staples according to the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A staple remover is disclosed for removing surgical staples wherein said surgical staples have side members spaced from each other in a fired position at a staple spacing. The staple remover has a housing, a first arm having a first end and a second arm having a second end, said first and second arms being positioned within said housing so that said first and second ends extend from said housing at a first spacing which is less than said staple spacing, and a widening member for widening said first spacing of said first and second ends to a second spacing wider than said staple spacing.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a handle; an elongate body member having a first end and a second end and at least one joint disposed therebetween dividing the body member into a plurality of segments including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being connected to the handle and the second segment terminating in a tool head receiver; a member for pivoting the second segment relative to the first segment at the at least one joint between; a member for rotating the tool head receiver relative to the body member; and a member for rotating the body member relative to the handle.

Abstract: A surgical staple has a base having first and second base segments defining in an un-deformed state a substantially V-shaped configuration having an apex, each base segment having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the first base segment is joined to the first end of the second base segment at the apex of the V-shaped configuration so as to define a first angle between the first base segment and the second base segment of less than about 180.degree. and first and second legs each having a first end and a second end, the first and second legs being connected substantially perpendicularly at the first ends to the second ends of the first and second base segments respectively. A surgical stapler for applying surgical staples according to the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a syringe assembly which includes a housing having a barrel having a forward fluid discharge end; a plunger disposed within said barrel and having a threaded rod extending therefrom; a threaded nut element for engaging said threaded rod for threaded advancement of said plunger relative to said barrel; and a control lever for positively engaging and positively disengaging said threaded nut element with said threaded rod, said control lever having a first arm member connected to said threaded nut element and being pivotably mounted for pivot between an engaged position wherein said first arm member positively engages said threaded nut element with said threaded rod, and a disengaged position wherein said first arm member positively disengages said threaded nut element from said threaded rod.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a handle for manipulating the instrument, a tool head, and a tube element for joining the handle and the tool head, the tube element having a first end and a second end, a first coupling for releasably coupling the first end of the tube element and the handle, and a second coupling for releasably coupling the second end of the tube element and the tool head, whereby the tool head, tube element and handle are all readily separable from each other.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for a medical instrument includes an insertion member having a protruding portion; a receiving member sized to receive the protruding portion of the insertion member; an engaging structure having a ridge member and a groove member for coupling the insertion member with the receiving member, one of the ridge member and the groove member being disposed on the insertion member, and the other being disposed on the receiving member, the ridge member having a ridge portion and the groove member having a groove portion, rotatable relative to one another between an engaged position wherein the ridge portion and the groove portion are engaged against longitudinal separation, and a disengaged position wherein the groove portion can be longitudinally separated from the ridge portion; and a locking member for retaining the ridge portion and the groove portion in the engaged position.

Abstract: A two-part ligation clip applicator comprises a handle assembly having a squeezable trigger and an elongated shaft connected at its proximal end to the handle assembly. The elongated shaft houses a sliding advancer which is actuated by squeezing the trigger to move axially in a forward direction in the shaft. In addition, a module is mountable at a distal end of the elongated shaft and supports a ligation clip. The module has a cartridge housing, latches pivotably mounted within the housing for gripping first part of the ligation clip, and a sliding pusher slidable within the housing by actuation of the advancer to engage the second part of the ligation clip and advance it relative to the first part to close the first part.

Abstract: A ratchet assembly for a medical instrument having a handle and a trigger member for operating the medical instrument, the trigger member being movable relative to the handle between a first position and a second position and being biased by a biasing member toward the first position, the ratchet assembly comprising a rack disposed in the handle, an engagement member for engaging the rack, slidably disposed in the handle relative to the rack and connected to the trigger member so that displacement of the trigger member slides the engagement member relative to the rack, the engagement member being biased into engagement with the rack so that, as the trigger is displaced from the first position to the second position, the engagement member engages the rack in a plurality of positions so as to hold the trigger member at a desired point between the first position and the second position against the biasing member, and a cam member, arranged in the handle, for disengaging the engagement member from the rack when t

Abstract: A medical instrument includes an elongated tube; a jaw tool, mounted to an end of the elongated tube and having two jaw elements pivotally mounted to each other at a pivot point, each jaw element having an operative end and a linkage end, the operative end and the linkage end extending from the pivot point, the operative end and the linkage end of each jaw element being arranged in a substantially coplaner fashion; an actuating rod for opening and closing the jaw tool, the actuating rod having a thickness and being movably disposed within the elongated tube; a linkage assembly for linking the actuating rod with the jaw tool, comprising two link elements, each link element having a first end pivotally linked to the actuating rod and a second end pivotally linked to the linkage end of a respective jaw element, the first end and the second end of each link element being offset relative to one another so as to compensate for the thickness of the actuating rod and provide proper alignment of each link element betw

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes a trocar obturator having an outer diameter, a piercing tip and at least one, preferably a plurality of longitudinal cutouts; and a shield for the piercing tip, mounted in the longitudinal cutouts so as to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the shield being adapted to fit inside the longitudinal cutouts so as to shield the piercing tip when the shield is in the extended position, without exceeding the outer diameter of the trocar obturator. The trocar obturator may have a plurality of blades joined together to form the piercing tip, and the longitudinal cutouts may be formed between the blades.

Abstract: Surgical staples with an improved configuration including a humpbacked configuration providing significant advantages for stacking and staple rotation.

Abstract: A linear surgical stapling instrument includes a magazine for holding a plurality of undeformed surgical staples, and an upper jaw carrying the magazine and having opposed distal and proximal ends. An anvil is formed with staple-deforming pockets, and a lower jaw carries the anvil. In particular the lower jaw is formed as a channel defined by an inverted U-shaped cross section. The anvil is formed on the outer surface of the back of the U-shaped cross section with the staple deforming pockets stamped or punched therein. Accordingly, the lower jaw can be easily made of metal with known metal-forming techniques, and stamping or punching techniques. In addition, the configuration of the low jaw causes it to resist bending and twisting during the staple deforming operation.

Abstract: Surgical staples having improved configurations providing significant advantages such as parallel stacking, square bending, easier skin penetration due to sharp point, and others.