Abstract: A surgical stapling device for deploying staples connected with suture to tissue includes a handle having a staple actuator mechanism, a tubular support shaft having a longitudinal axis and extending from the handle, and a staple cartridge mounted on the support shaft and connected to the staple actuator mechanism for applying one or more staples to the tissue. The cartridge has a cartridge housing adapted to receive a plurality of staples in a row for longitudinal movement therethrough and an anvil mounted on the housing. The cartridge further includes a mechanism for advancing the forwardmost staple in the row into engagement with the anvil, and a suture guide supporting a length of suture that extends in a loop for attachment to the staples as they are secured to the tissue.

Abstract: Several embodiments of medical ultrasound handpieces are described each including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system includes a medical ultrasound handpiece having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and includes an ultrasonically-vibratable medical-treatment instrument which is attachable to a distal end of the transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system has a handpiece including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and including a housing or housing component surrounding the transducer assembly. A method for tuning a medical ultrasound handpiece includes machining at least a distal non-threaded portion of an instrument-attachment stud of the transducer assembly to match a measured fundamental frequency to a desired fundamental frequency to within a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes a flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has a handle attached thereto and the distal end has a suturing body attached thereto. The handle is operatively connected to the suturing body. The suturing body includes a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path facilitating application of a suture to tissue. A mechanism is provided for accommodating and operating different sized needles and different sized sutures while maintaining the operative connection between the handle and the suturing body.

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 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 method for approximating tissue within a body including the step of providing a device having a handle, at least one actuator, an elongated hollow housing having a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending therefrom, a first and second cartridge. Each the cartridge contains at least one fastener having at least two anchors connected together by a non-resilient flexible suture which does not resist deformation under compressible loads. The first cartridge being releasably connected to the distal end of hollow housing. The method also includes the step of inserting the first cartridge into a body and deploying each anchor into tissue in a spaced apart position. The method also involves moving the anchors adjacent one another by moving the suture in a proximal direction, and removing the first cartridge from the body and from the housing. The method then involves placing the second cartridge onto the housing thereby replacing the first cartridge with the second cartridge.

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 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 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 surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a transducer and an end effector. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and may comprise a piezoelectric stack positioned along the longitudinal axis. The transducer also may comprise a first metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a first end of the piezoelectric stack and a second metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a second end of the piezoelectric stack. The length of the transducer may be greater than or equal to of one wavelength and less than ½ of one wavelength. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend along the longitudinal axis. The length of the transducer and the end effector may be a multiple of ½ of one wavelength.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a distal end of a surgical instrument. In general, the methods and devices can allow for controlling movement of surgical tools, and in particular for causing mimicked motion between an external control unit and a surgical tool positioned within a patient's body. In one embodiment, a surgical system is provided having a master assembly including an input tool and a slave assembly including a surgical instrument. The master assembly and the slave assembly can be configured to be electronically coupled together such that movement of the master assembly can be electronically communicated to the slave assembly to cause mimicked movement of the slave assembly.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling an endoscope in a body cavity. In one exemplary embodiment, a stiffening element for an endoscopic surgical system includes an elongate member having a diameter configured for insertion and use in a channel of an endoscope. The elongate member can be movable between an unlocked position in which the elongate member is freely movable to assume a desired configuration, and a locked position in which the elongate member is maintained in a desired configuration. In one embodiment, the elongate member is formed from a plurality of links that are pivotally coupled to one another. Methods for controlling a surgical device in a body cavity, as well as systems for use in endoscopic surgeries, are also provided herein.

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: An apparatus for aseptic insertion includes a container, a first cover, and a second cover. The container includes a first compartment, a second compartment, and a detachable wall disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment. The first cover is sized and configured to attach to the first compartment and the second cover is sized and configured to attach to the container. The detachable wall may defined by a top portion, a portion of a first distal wall of the first compartment, and a portion of a second proximal wall of the second compartment. The detachable wall may be removably attached to the first cover by the top portion of the detachable wall.

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: An implantable restriction system having an antenna capable of being readily and predictably movable to achieve a desired orientation that is effective to communicate with an external device is provided. The antenna can be movably coupled to a housing such that the antenna can float and/or move freely with respect to the housing. The housing can be part of a gimbal element or another component of the system. The antenna can include a weight or a magnetic element to help it achieve the desired orientation. Methods for transcutaneously communicating with an implantable restriction device are also provided.

Abstract: A tensioning system for restricting the available volume of a gastric cavity includes a base material that is shaped and dimensioned for surgical attachment to surfaces on or within the body. Multiple tensioning members are incorporated into the base material, each of the tensioning members including a first end and a second end, wherein pulling upon the tensioning member will cause edges of the base material to be drawn together. The method for restricting the available volume of a gastric cavity includes securing edges of a tensioning system to the gastric cavity and drawing the edges of the tissue together to create a fold in the tissue.

Abstract: Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway.