Abstract: An ultrasonic needle driver is provided. The driver includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer mounted within the housing, a coupling mechanism operably connected to and extending distally from the ultrasonic transducer, and a tool assembly operably connected to the coupling mechanism. The tool assembly may be configured for selectively retaining a suture needle. The housing may include a handle assembly for actuating the tool assembly. The handle assembly may include a pair of handles. The handles are spaced apart from the housing when in a first position. The handles may be approximated toward the housing to actuate the tool assembly. The tool assembly may include a jaw member. The housing may be configured for operable engagement by a user and may define a substantially elongated body. The housing may define a pistol or pencil grip. The driver may also include an activation mechanism for activating the ultrasonic transducer. The driver may further include a control module integrally formed therewith.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of altering a surgical fiber by irradiating the surgical fiber with an energy beam such that material is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a barbed medical device which includes the steps of providing a blank workpiece and forming at least one barb on the blank workpiece by applying vibrational energy to a tool and bringing the tool and the blank workpiece into contact with each other at an angle such that the tool cuts into the surface of the blank workpiece. A barbed medical device formed by this method is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly and an elongate portion extending distally from the handle assembly. An end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongate portion includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, wherein at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly is movable with respect to the other to move the end effector between an open configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are substantially spaced and a closed configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are closer together. The end effector also includes a clamping assembly including a first clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the anvil assembly, and a second clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the cartridge assembly such that, when deployed, the first and second clamping surfaces oppose one another when the cartridge assembly is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a barbed medical device which includes the steps of providing a blank workpiece and forming at least one barb on the blank workpiece by applying vibrational energy to a tool and bringing the tool and the blank workpiece into contact with each other at an angle such that the tool cuts into the surface of the blank workpiece. A barbed medical device formed by this method is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical access system that includes a cannula assembly adapted for removable positioning within a percutaneous tissue tract, and an obturator assembly removably positionable within the cannula assembly. The cannula assembly includes a cannula housing, a cannula sleeve, and first engagement structure, and the obturator assembly includes an obturator housing, an obturator sleeve, and second engagement structure. The first engagement structure and the second engagement structure are correspondingly dimensioned such that rotation of the obturator assembly in a first direction effectuates corresponding rotation of the cannula assembly to facilitate advancement of the cannula assembly through tissue.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a barbed medical device which includes the steps of providing a blank workpiece and forming at least one barb on the blank workpiece by applying vibrational energy to a tool and bringing the tool and the blank workpiece into contact with each other at an angle such that the tool cuts into the surface of the blank workpiece. A barbed medical device formed by this method is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly and an elongate portion extending distally from the handle assembly. An end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongate portion includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, wherein at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly is movable with respect to the other to move the end effector between an open configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are substantially spaced and a closed configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are closer together. The end effector also includes a clamping assembly including a first clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the anvil assembly, and a second clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the cartridge assembly such that, when deployed, the first and second clamping surfaces oppose one another when the cartridge assembly is in the closed position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical access system that includes a cannula assembly adapted for removable positioning within a percutaneous tissue tract, and an obturator assembly removably positionable within the cannula assembly. The cannula assembly includes a cannula housing, a cannula sleeve, and first engagement structure, and the obturator assembly includes an obturator housing, an obturator sleeve, and second engagement structure. The first engagement structure and the second engagement structure are correspondingly dimensioned such that rotation of the obturator assembly in a first direction effectuates corresponding rotation of the cannula assembly to facilitate advancement of the cannula assembly through tissue.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly and an elongate portion extending distally from the handle assembly. An end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongate portion includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, wherein at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly is movable with respect to the other to move the end effector between an open configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are substantially spaced and a closed configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are closer together. The end effector also includes a clamping assembly including a first clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the anvil assembly, and a second clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the cartridge assembly such that, when deployed, the first and second clamping surfaces oppose one another when the cartridge assembly is in the closed position.

Abstract: A compound barb medical device is provided which includes an elongated body having at least one barb formed along the length of the body, the barb defining an inner surface with a first portion disposed at a first orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body, and a second portion disposed at a second orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. Optionally, the barb defines a third portion disposed at a third orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. A method for forming a compound barb on a medical device is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly and an elongate portion extending distally from the handle assembly. An end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongate portion includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, wherein at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly is movable with respect to the other to move the end effector between an open configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are substantially spaced and a closed configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are closer together. The end effector also includes a clamping assembly including a first clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the anvil assembly, and a second clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the cartridge assembly such that, when deployed, the first and second clamping surfaces oppose one another when the cartridge assembly is in the closed position.

Abstract: Barbed medical devices include a crown interconnecting a pair of legs and at least one barb extending from each of the legs. The at least one barb may define an inner surface with a first portion disposed at a first orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the leg, a second portion disposed at a second orientation relative to the longitudinal axis, and optionally, a third portion disposed at a third orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the leg.

Abstract: A compound barb medical device includes a body portion and at least one barb extending therefrom. The at least one barb defines an inner surface. The inner surface includes a first portion disposed at a first orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the body portion and a second portion disposed at a second orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. The at least one barb is made from a shape memory material which can be deformed into a temporary shape from a permanent shape. The barb projects from the body portion in a first position relative to the body portion when in the permanent shape and in a second position when in the temporary shape.

Abstract: Barbed surgical sutures are provided which include an elongated body and a plurality of barbs extending therefrom. A bioactive agent is disposed within barb angles formed between the barbs and the elongated body. The barbs may be made from a shape memory polymer having a permanent shape which may be deformed to a temporary shape, such that barbs of the suture extend at different barb angles in the different shape configurations. The barb angles of the permanent shape may be greater than the barb angles of the temporary shape, thereby exposing and/or releasing a bioactive agent after placement in tissue.

Abstract: An anvil assembly comprising an anvil shaft and an anvil head, the anvil head having anvil depressions for forming surgical staples. The anvil head is mounted to the anvil shaft and the anvil shaft has a longitudinal axis and first and second spaced apart elongated projections attached to the anvil shaft and extending therefrom. The projections are configured and dimensioned to retain a purse string suture.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medical device package including a container for receiving a medical device having an area configured for storing at least one agent and a port for permitting the passage of a contact material between the outside the container and the area configured for storing the agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medical device package including a container for receiving a medical device having an area configured for storing at least one agent and a port for permitting the passage of a contact material between the outside the container and the area configured for storing the agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical access system that includes a cannula assembly adapted for removable positioning within a percutaneous tissue tract, and an obturator assembly removably positionable within the cannula assembly. The cannula assembly includes a cannula housing, a cannula sleeve, and first engagement structure, and the obturator assembly includes an obturator housing, an obturator sleeve, and second engagement structure. The first engagement structure and the second engagement structure are correspondingly dimensioned such that rotation of the obturator assembly in a first direction effectuates corresponding rotation of the cannula assembly to facilitate advancement of the cannula assembly through tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a suture having a proximal end defining a first outer diameter and a distal end configured to accommodate the proximal end of the suture to form a closed loop stitch.