Abstract: A surgical device comprising a clevis defining a longitudinal axis and a jaw comprising a first member and a second member. A slider is slidably engaged to the clevis, the slider comprising a pin. The pin is receiveably engaged in the first slot and the jaw is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position through longitudinal movement of the slider. In various embodiments, the first and second members are movable between an angular open position, a parallel open position, and a parallel closed position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a shaft housing a firing bar, an end effector comprising an anvil, a lower jaw, and a stapling and severing assembly responsive to a longitudinal closing motion produced by the handle portion and the shaft. The lower jaw is configured to receive a removable cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing, a plurality of staples disposed in the housing, and a deck disposed over the plurality of staples. The deck defines apertures, with each aperture being substantially disposed over each staple. The cartridge further includes an agent. The firing bar is operable to assist with releasing the agent onto a severed line of tissue when the firing bar is advanced.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a shaft housing a firing bar, an end effector comprising an anvil, a lower jaw, and a stapling and severing assembly responsive to a longitudinal closing motion produced by the handle portion and the shaft. The lower jaw is configured to receive a removable cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing, a plurality of staples disposed in the housing, and a deck disposed over the plurality of staples. The deck defines apertures, with each aperture being substantially disposed over each staple. The instrument includes an anvil cartridge removably received in an anvil frame. The anvil cartridge is severed by the firing bar when the firing bar is advanced through tissue such that material from the anvil cartridge is released onto the severed tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a surgical instrument and a buttress configured to hold a fluid adhesive. In some versions, the buttress contains a two-part fluid adhesive where two fluid materials form a fluid adhesive when combined. In some versions, the buttress is configured to be compressed by the surgical instrument thereby pressurizing a portion of the buttress. Thereafter, the buttress may be severed and the pressurized region may be operable to urge the fluid adhesive to a tissue site.

Abstract: An inflatable medical instrument for tissue damage in gastric reduction surgery includes a main chamber composed of a biocompatible material capable of being selectively inflated. The medical instrument also includes a longitudinally extending tab member secured to an outer surface of the main chamber, a series of suction holes are formed along the tab member and an electrode is mounted on the tab member. The present invention also provides a method for forming a tissue junction used in defining a gastric pouch including damaging opposed tissue layers, apposing the tissue layers and fastening the tissue layers to allow the tissue layers to heal together.

Abstract: A method for deploying fasteners including the steps of providing a device having a handle and at least one actuator. The handle is connected to an elongated hollow housing having distal and proximal ends. The device has a first cartridge containing at least one fastener releasably connectable to the handle and an elongated pusher movable through the hollow housing from the distal to the proximal end for deploying the fastener from the distal end. The method includes increasing the stiffness of the pusher at a distal end thereof and advancing the pusher through the elongated housing to deploy the fasteners.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applier having a handle and a fastener housing extending from the handle. The housing contains at least one anvil movable within the staple housing having a proximal position and a distal position. When the anvil is in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing. The housing contains a plurality of surgical fasteners each of which in the shape of a loop, wherein at least one fasteners is placed around the anvil when the anvil is in distal position. And a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing. The applier further includes a first means for moving the anvil distally during a deployment of the at least one fastener, and a second means for moving the anvil distally during the deployment of the at least one fastener, wherein the second means is independent of the first means.

Abstract: A fastener applying device for surgically attaching tissue together. The device includes a staple housing having a proximal end attached to a handle, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. There is at least one fastener within the housing. The device includes an anvil movable within the staple housing. The anvil has a proximal position and a distal position, wherein when in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing by a distance. The device further includes an adjustment nut connecting the staple housing to the handle, wherein rotation of the adjustment nut changes the distance.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applying device having a handle with a trigger pivotably attached thereto and movable within a trigger plane. The trigger has a bottom portion extending from the handle and a top portion disposed within a housing of the handle. The device has a staple housing with a proximal end attached to the handle, a distal end extending therefrom and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The housing has a firing bar disposed within, and the trigger is coupled to the firing bar. The device has a link member with a first end pivotably attached to the top portion of trigger, the link member has a second end comprising a slidable pin. The pin engages a three dimensional cam path disposed within the housing. The link member follows distal and proximal movement of the top portion of the trigger, and the pin slides perpendicular to the trigger plane to follow the three dimensional cam path.

Abstract: A fastener applying device including a staple housing having a proximal end attached to a handle, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween. There is at least one fastener within the housing. The device also includes an anvil movable within the staple housing. The anvil has a proximal position and a distal position, wherein when in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing by a distance. The device also includes an adjustment nut connecting the staple housing to the handle. Rotation of the adjustment nut changes the distance.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applier having a handle and a fastener housing extending from the handle. The housing contains at least one anvil movable within the staple housing, the anvil has a proximal position and a distal position. When in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing. The housing contains a plurality of surgical fasteners each of which in the shape of a loop. At least one of the fasteners is placed around a portion of the anvil when in the distal position. The applier has a first mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed, and a second mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed. The second means is independent of the first means.

Abstract: A device for deploying fasteners including a handle and at least one actuator. The handle is connected to an elongated hollow housing having distal and proximal ends. The device has a first cartridge containing at least one fastener releasably connectable to the handle. The device also includes an elongated pusher movable through the hollow housing from the proximal to the distal end to deploy the fasteners. The device further includes a deforming member for deforming the pusher at a proximal end thereof while advancing the pusher to the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: A marking apparatus includes a selectively inflatable balloon. The balloon includes an external lumen adapted for connection to a vacuum source. The external lumen includes ports for creating a vacuum at the ports sufficient to draw walls of the gastric cavity into contact with the external lumen. The balloon is further provided with RF energy delivery devices. In accordance with an alternate embodiment, a marking apparatus includes an elongated, hollow body, the hollow body including a proximal end and a distal end. The hollow body includes at least one suction trough in which a plurality of holes is disposed to draw suction on tissue. The at least one suction trough extends along a substantial portion of the hollow body as it extends from its distal end to its proximal end.

Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed which can be utilized to access a surgical site within a patient. The surgical device can comprise a member insertable into a patient, a base member configured to be positioned against the patient, and a flexible sleeve extending therebetween. The surgical device can further comprise an upper member which can be assembled to the base member such that it can be rotated about an axis. The upper member and the base member can comprise corresponding retention features and slots which can permit the upper member to be rotated relative to the base member yet prevent the upper member from being disassembled from the base member unless the upper member and the base member have been aligned in a unique orientation.

Abstract: A method for deploying fasteners including the steps of providing a device having a handle and at least one actuator. The handle is connected to an elongated hollow housing having distal and proximal ends. The device has a first cartridge containing at least one fastener releasably connectable to the handle and an elongated pusher movable through the hollow housing from the distal to the proximal end for deploying the fastener from the distal end. The method includes increasing the stiffness of the pusher at a distal end thereof and advancing the pusher through the elongated housing to deploy the fasteners.

Abstract: A device for deploying fasteners including a handle and at least one actuator. The handle is connected to an elongated hollow housing having distal and proximal ends. The device has a first cartridge containing at least one fastener releasably connectable to the handle. The device also includes an elongated pusher movable through the hollow housing from the proximal to the distal end to deploy the fasteners. The device further includes a deforming member for deforming the pusher at a proximal end thereof while advancing the pusher to the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for accessing a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided that includes a housing having at least one access or sealing port for receiving a surgical instrument, and a retractor removably coupled to the housing and having a working channel configured to extend into a body cavity. The housing can include releasably matable upper and lower portions, with the upper portion being configured to freely rotate 360° relative to the lower portion and to the retractor when the housing is mated thereto.

Abstract: A method for feeding a fastener including the step of providing a device having a housing, at least one fastener within the housing, wherein the fastener is disposed within the housing in a first plane, an elongated actuator disposed within the housing, the actuator comprising a shaft substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing and rigidly spaced from the fastener in a second plane the actuator comprising at least one radially extending advancer disposed along a length thereof. The method further includes the step of rotating the actuator so to engage the fastener, and longitudinally moving the actuator to advance the fastener.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding a fastener including a housing having a longitudinal axis and at least one fastener within the housing. The fastener has a crown and at least two legs extending therefrom. The fastener is disposed within the housing in a first plane parallel to the longitudinal axis. The mechanism includes an elongated actuator disposed within the housing. The actuator has a shaft substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mechanism and rigidly spaced from the fastener in a second plane. The actuator has at least one radially extending advancer disposed along a length thereof, and a mechanism for rotating the actuator so that the advancer engages the fastener.

Abstract: A method of deploying a surgical fastener including the step of introducing the fastener into a body of a patient while the fastener is in a first shape having a first loop with a back span and an original size and shape. The method involves moving the end segments of the fastener in a first manner away from each other while maintaining the fastener in a closed loop. The method also involves moving the end segments of the fastener in a second manner away from each other to open the loop. The method further involves forming the fastener into a second loop having a width greater than the width of the first loop.