Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can comprise a cartridge body comprising a deck and a bottom surface opposite the deck. The staple cartridge can comprise a plurality of staple cavities, wherein each staple cavity extends into the cartridge body from the deck to the bottom surface. Additionally, a plurality of wells can be defined into the staple cartridge from the deck to a lowermost surface of the well. A plurality of staples can be removably positioned in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge can comprise a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to the cartridge body, wherein the tissue thickness compensator comprises a compensator body and a plurality of extensions extending from the compensator body into the wells, wherein at least one extension is compressed within one of the wells. Each well can surround at least one staple cavity and/or can extend between at least two staple cavities.

Abstract: A method for forming an overwrap container includes the steps of a) providing a base container having a first side seam on a side wall that extends along a longitudinal axis to define an internal volume, and a bottom secured to the side wall; b) providing the side wall of the base container with connecting elements on an outer periphery of the side wall; c) providing an overwrap having a second side seam over the side wall of the base container such that the overwrap is joined in spaced apart relationship by the connecting elements to the side wall of the base container; d) clamping the overwrap to the base container along the second side seam to form a first compressed area; e) clamping the overwrap to the base container in an area 180° removed from the second side seam to form a second compressed area: and f) reforming the second compressed area to define an overwrap container having a substantially uniform spacing and air gap between the base container and the overwrap except in the first compressed area.

Abstract: A method for forming an overwrap container includes the steps of a) providing a base container having a first side seam on a side wall that extends along a longitudinal axis to define an internal volume, and a bottom secured to the side wall; b) providing the side wall of the base container with connecting elements on an outer periphery of the side wall; c) providing an overwrap having a second side seam over the side wall of the base container such that the overwrap is joined in spaced apart relationship by the connecting elements to the side wall of the base container; d) clamping the overwrap to the base container along the second side seam to form a first compressed area; e) clamping the overwrap to the base container in an area 180° removed from the second side seam to form a second compressed area: and f) reforming the second compressed area to define an overwrap container having a substantially uniform spacing and air gap between the base container and the overwrap except in the first compressed area.

Abstract: A method for forming an overwrap container includes the steps of a) providing a base container having a first side seam on a side wall that extends along a longitudinal axis to define an internal volume, and a bottom secured to the side wall; b) providing the side wall of the base container with connecting elements on an outer periphery of the side wall; c) providing an overwrap having a second side seam over the side wall of the base container such that the overwrap is joined in spaced apart relationship by the connecting elements to the side wall of the base container; d) clamping the overwrap to the base container along the second side seam to form a first compressed area; e) clamping the overwrap to the base container in an area 180° removed from the second side seam to form a second compressed area: and f) reforming the second compressed area to define an overwrap container having a substantially uniform spacing and air gap between the base container and the overwrap except in the first compressed area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for nesting a plurality of containers into a stack having a desired quantity of containers are disclosed. The apparatus includes a container guide, a container hold back, a counter and a shuttle. The container guide includes an input end and output end and provides at least one guide surface adapted to direct the plurality of containers from the input end to the output end. The container hold back is proximate the output end and includes a stop surface actuatable between a first hold back position in which the stop surface engages a frontward most container of the plurality of containers such that successive containers nest within the frontward most container and within each other and a second retracted position. The counter is proximate the input end and is configured to count the plurality of containers moving towards the output end prior to the containers nesting with each other.