Abstract: An instrument for everting an end of a vessel. The instrument has a tubular member having an axial bore, a distal end and a proximal end. The instrument further also has an elastic membrane sealably mounted on the distal end of the tubular member, a plunger slidably mounted within the axial bore of the body, a spring operationally engaged to the plunger for biasing the plunger in the distal direction and distending the membrane for insertion into the vessel, a distally extending mandrel mounted to the plunger, a sleeve slidably mounted over the membrane and at least a portion of the tubular member, and a proximal seal mounted in the proximal end of the axial bore so that the membrane, the proximal seal, and the axial bore define a sealed chamber.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for dissecting a vessel in a patient. The surgical instrument includes a spoon retractor having a proximal end and a distal end, said spoon retractor defining a working space in the tissue of a patient, a dissecting element proximate to the spoon retractor for dissecting tissue from a vessel, and a handle for manipulating the spoon retractor near the vessel. Also provided is a method for dissecting a vessel including the steps of providing the surgical instrument for dissecting a vessel in a patient described above. Making an incision in a patient. Inserting the spoon retractor into the incision. Creating a working space in the tissue of the patient near the vessel being dissected, and manipulating the dissecting element to further dissect tissue surrounding the vessel being dissected.

Abstract: A surgical device including: a punch slidingly disposed in a housing for forming a hole in a first vessel; a cartridge movably disposed in the housing between a cutting and deploying positions, the cartridge having a second vessel and a coupler for coupling the first and second vessel loaded therein; a punch actuator for sliding the punch between the cutting and deploying positions; a cartridge actuator for moving the cartridge between the cutting and deploying positions, wherein while in the cutting position, the punch and cartridge are in position to permit the punch to form the hole in the first vessel and while in the deploying position, they are in position to deploy the second vessel; and a deployment mechanism for deploying the second vessel and coupler into the hole of the first vessel while the punch and cartridge are in the deploying position to create an anastomosis.

Abstract: A surgical device for applying radio frequency energy to a portion of a captured vessel is provided. The device including: a first tube having an internal lumen for passage of a viewing device therein, the first tube having a substantially transparent first window at a distal tip thereof; a second tube slidingly disposed over the first tube, the second tube having a substantially transparent second window at a distal tip thereof, the second tube further having a slot for capturing a portion of the vessel; an actuator for sliding the second tube relative to the first tube between open and closed positions, wherein in the closed position an inner surface of the second window is aligned with an outer surface of the first window and captures the portion of the vessel therebetween; and at least one electrode affixed to one of the inner or outer surfaces and facing the other of the inner or outer surfaces for applying radio frequency energy to the captured portion of the vessel.

Abstract: A method and device for endoscopic harvesting of blood vessels from a patient for use in subsequent procedures. The device having a two piece headpiece. A vessel to be removed is inserted into the headpiece and the top and bottom portions of the headpiece are alternatively extended in reciprocating fashion to dissect above and below the vessel. The headpiece having electrodes for ligation of any side branch vessels which are uncovered in the dissection process.

Abstract: An endoscopic vessel harvesting device and a method of endoscopic harvesting of vessels from a patients body. The method comprises locating the vessel, and inserting the vessel harvesting device through an incision. Dissecting the vessel from the surrounding tissue, and capturing side branch vessels in a vessel capturing means. Ligating and transecting the side branch vessels using electrodes and a knife located in the vessel capturing means. Finally, ligating and transecting the vessel, and removing the vessel from the patients body. The vessel harvesting device comprises a head piece, a shaft having a lumen for receiving an endoscope, and a vessel capturing means located on the head piece for capturing the side branch vessels in the receiver.

Abstract: An endoscopic device including a shaft having a lumen for insertion of an endoscope therethrough, a transparent headpiece defining a workspace and disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a handle disposed at a proximal end of the shaft, a plunger disposed at the distal end of the shaft and movable between a retracted and extended position, wherein in the extended position the plunger interacts with at least a portion of the headpiece to capture a vessel therebetweeen, an actuator for moving the plunger between the retracted and extended positions, and a ligator for cauterizing the vessel captured between the plunger and the portion of the headpiece.

Abstract: An instrument is provided for everting an end of a vessel over an end of a tubular workpiece. The instrument comprises a body having an axial bore, a piston slideably contained inside of the axial bore, and a plunger coaxially mounted within the axial bore and axially movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The instrument further comprises a spring mounted within the axial bore and biasing the plunger and the piston to separate. The instrument further comprises a plurality of filaments, each filament having a distal end attached to the plunger and a proximal end attached to the piston, and each of the filaments tensioned by the spring. The instrument further comprises a plurality of guides circumferentially spaced apart in the distal end of the body, each guide supporting one of the filaments radially apart from the plunger, the plunger and the filaments insertable into the lumen of the vessel when the plunger is in the extended position.

Abstract: A bone plating apparatus includes a handle having extending therefrom a tissue expander for insertion through a skin incision and through the subcutaneous tissue surrounding a fractured bone. A bone plate may be secured to the handle during advancement of the tissue expander so as to deliver the bone plate to a desired location proximate to the fractured bone. Both the tissue expander and the bone plate may be advanced to the desired location proximate to the fractured bone under the visualization of an endoscope. A screw alignment jig is secured to the handle and has a guide hole which aligns with an access hole of the tissue expander. The alignment of the guide hole and the access hole allow for percutaneous screw insertion into the delivered bone plate. A method for plating a fractured bone is also disclosed.

Abstract: An instrument for everting an end of a vessel. The instrument has a tubular member having an axial bore, a distal end and a proximal end. The instrument further also has an elastic membrane sealably mounted on the distal end of the tubular member, a plunger slidably mounted within the axial bore of the body, a spring operationally engaged to the plunger for biasing the plunger in the distal direction and distending the membrane for insertion into the vessel, a distally extending mandrel mounted to the plunger, a sleeve slidably mounted over the membrane and at least a portion of the tubular member, and a proximal seal mounted in the proximal end of the axial bore so that the membrane, the proximal seal, and the axial bore define a sealed chamber.

Abstract: A surgical retraction and positioning device comprises a stable platform and a flexible tape attached thereto for easier retraction and manipulation of a heart during cardiac surgery. The stable platform has an elongate body having a curved handle extending into an organ contacting base. The base is formed at the distal end of the handle and is at least partially concave to conform to the contours of the outer surface of the heart. A portion of a flexible element, such as umbilical tape, is secured to the base, leaving at least one free end to enable the surgeon to wrap, or secure, the heart against the organ contacting base.

Abstract: A medical instrument for positioning an internal organ during a surgical procedure is provided. In one embodiment, the medical instrument includes a body having a tissue grasping element and at least one suspending member. The suspending member has a first end and a second end that is attached to a portion of the body. In use, the tissue grasping element penetrates a portion of the tissue on or near the body organ. Tension can then be applied to the suspending members to reposition and secure the body organ.

Abstract: A surgical instrument useful in harvesting blood vessels such as veins and arteries and for manipulating and grasping tissue. The instrument has a pair of jaws and a closing tube to open and close the jaws.

Abstract: A surgical instrument useful in harvesting blood vessels such as veins and arteries and for manipulating and grasping tissue. The instrument has a pair of jaws and a closing tube to open and close the jaws.

Abstract: A method for removing a vessel from a patient's body comprises the steps of identifying the vessel to be removing and providing an incision in the patient's body near the identified vessel. An optical dissector is inserted through the incision and tissue is optically dissected away from the surface of the vessel with the optical dissector. The optical dissector is then withdrawn from the body through the incision. An optical retractor is inserted into the body through the incision and is used to retract the dissected tissue away from the surface of the vessel thereby providing space between the dissected vessel and the retracted tissue. The vessel and its side branches are then dissected, ligated and transected and the vessel is then removed from the body through the incision.

Abstract: A method for removing a vessel from a patient's body comprises the steps of identifying the vessel to be removing and providing an incision in the patient's body near the identified vessel. An optical dissector is inserted through the incision and tissue is optically dissected away from the surface of the vessel with the optical dissector. The optical dissector is then withdrawn from the body through the incision. An optical retractor is inserted into the body through the incision and is used to retract the dissected tissue away from the surface of the vessel thereby providing space between the dissected vessel and the retracted tissue. The vessel and its side branches are then dissected, ligated and transected and the vessel is then removed from the body through the incision.

Abstract: A method for removing a vessel from a patient's body comprises the steps of identifying the vessel to be removing and providing an incision in the patient's body near the identified vessel. An optical dissector is inserted through the incision and tissue is optically dissected away from the surface of the vessel with the optical dissector. The optical dissector is then withdrawn from the body through the incision. An optical retractor is inserted into the body through the incision and is used to retract the dissected tissue away from the surface of the vessel thereby providing space between the dissected vessel and the retracted tissue. The vessel and its side branches are then dissected, ligated and transected and the vessel is then removed from the body through the incision.

Abstract: A method for removing a vessel from a patient's body comprises the steps of identifying the vessel to be removing and providing an incision in the patient's body near the identified vessel. An optical dissector is inserted through the incision and tissue is optically dissected away from the surface of the vessel with the optical dissector. The optical dissector is then withdrawn from the body through the incision. An optical retractor is inserted into the body through the incision and is used to retract the dissected tissue away from the surface of the vessel thereby providing space between the dissected vessel and the retracted tissue. The vessel and its side branches are then dissected, ligated and transected and the vessel is then removed from the body through the incision.

Abstract: A method for removing a vessel from a patient's body comprises the steps of identifying the vessel to be removing and providing an incision in the patient's body near the identified vessel. An optical dissector is inserted through the incision and tissue is optically dissected away from the surface of the vessel with the optical dissector. The optical dissector is then withdrawn from the body through the incision. An optical retractor is inserted into the body through the incision and is used to retract the dissected tissue away from the surface of the vessel thereby providing space between the dissected vessel and the retracted tissue. The vessel and its side branches are then dissected, ligated and transected and the vessel is then removed from the body through the incision.