Abstract: A site marker device and marker are provided. The site marker device includes a housing and a distally extending delivery tube. A pusher rod is movably positioned within the delivery tube to eject a marker from the distal end thereof. An elongated tubular body is positioned about the delivery tube. An actuator is provided to provide two stage advancement. During the first stage, the delivery tube and the pusher rod are advanced through the distal end of the elongated tubular body. During the second stage of advancement, the pusher rod is advanced independently of the delivery tube to eject a marker from the distal end thereof. The marker is formed from a shape memory material and has a circular or hoop configuration in the relaxed state.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A first mechanism is provided for effectuating the rotation of the fastener applying assembly about an axis defined by the body portion, a second mechanism is provided for effectuating the articulation of the fastener applying assembly, and a third mechanism is provided for independently rotating the cartridge housing and anvil member relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the base position to increase the range of operability of the apparatus.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is disclosed which includes a first body portion supporting an anvil plate defining a fastener forming surface, and a second body portion configured to releasably mate with the first body portion. A disposable loading unit is removably supported in the second body portion and includes a cartridge defining a plurality of slots, a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the slots, a plurality of ejectors positioned adjacent the surgical fasteners, and a wedged actuator configured to enter into and translate through the cartridge to sequentially interact with the ejectors. An elongated actuation member is mounted for longitudinal movement within the second body portion and is releasably engagable with the wedged actuator, whereby longitudinal movement of the actuation member causes the wedged actuator to interact with the ejectors, driving the surgical fasteners from the cartridge to be formed against the anvil plate.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is disclosed which includes a first body portion supporting an anvil plate defining a fastener forming surface, and a second body portion configured to releasably mate with the first body portion. A disposable loading unit is removably supported in the second body portion and includes a cartridge defining a plurality of slots, a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the slots, a plurality of ejectors positioned adjacent the surgical fasteners, and a wedged actuator configured to enter into and translate through the cartridge to sequentially interact with the ejectors. An elongated actuation member is mounted for longitudinal movement within the second body portion and is releasably engagable with the wedged actuator, whereby longitudinal movement of the actuation member causes the wedged actuator to interact with the ejectors, driving the surgical fasteners from the cartridge to be formed against the anvil plate.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for securing a needle extending therethrough includes a post having a channel therein mounted to a base. The post is positioned in operative alignment with the needle mounted on the base. A locking member is associated with the post in operative alignment with the needle. The locking member defines an opening therethrough to receive the needle, and the locking member is operable between a needle receiving position wherein the needle may be inserted or removed from the locking member and a needle retaining position wherein the needle is retained in at least one direction of movement.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for securing a needle extending therethrough includes a post having a channel therein mounted to a base. The post is positioned in operative alignment with the needle mounted on the base. A locking member is associated with the post in operative alignment with the needle. The locking member defines an opening therethrough to receive the needle, and the locking member is operable between a needle receiving position wherein the needle may be inserted or removed from the locking member and a needle retaining position wherein the needle is retained in at least one direction of movement.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus having elongated cartridge and anvil half sections which are relatively movable from an unclamped to a clamped position. A safety member is supported in the cartridge section and movable between a non-blocking position and a blocking position to prevent relative movement of the cartridge and anvil support member to the clamped position after the fasteners have been fired. The safety member is biased inwardly by a tab retainer. Distal movement of the cam bars causes the tab retainer to be moved to a release position to allow movement of the safety tab to the blocking position.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is disclosed which includes a first body portion supporting an anvil plate defining a fastener forming surface, and a second body portion configured to releasably mate with the first body portion. A disposable loading unit is removably supported in the second body portion and includes a cartridge defining a plurality of slots, a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the slots, a plurality of ejectors positioned adjacent the surgical fasteners, and a wedged actuator configured to enter into and translate through the cartridge to sequentially interact with the ejectors. An elongated actuation member is mounted for longitudinal movement within the second body portion and is releasably engagable with the wedged actuator, whereby longitudinal movement of the actuation member causes the wedged actuator to interact with the ejectors, driving the surgical fasteners from the cartridge to be formed against the anvil plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue which includes a body having a proximal portion defining a central longitudinal axis and an articulating distal portion; a fastener cartridge containing at least one surgical fastener therein and positionable in the articulating distal portion; an anvil mounted adjacent the fastener cartridge and defining a fastener forming surface against which surgical fasteners are formed when ejected from the fastener cartridge; a fastener driving mechanism operatively associated with the fastener cartridge and actuatable from the handle to eject the at least one fastener from the fastener cartridge; a link member having a distal portion offset from the body central longitudinal axis and pivotably connected to the articulating distal portion at a point spaced from the body central longitudinal axis, the link member being movable between a proximal-most position to move the distal portion to an articulated condition away from the central longitudinal axis on a first

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for marking a location within tissue which includes (i) a needle including a housing and an elongated tube having a sharp distal end, (ii) an elongated cable configured and dimensioned to pass through a longitudinal passageway formed through the needle, (iii) an elongated tissue marker attached adjacent a distal end of the elongated cable such that the elongated marker is movable between a retracted orientation and a deployed orientation, and (iv) an actuator assembly operatively associated with the elongated marker, wherein movement of the actuator assembly from a first position to a second position moves the elongated marker from the retracted position to the deployed position.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue includes an elongated body extending from a handle assembly. A fastener cartridge housing pivotably connected to a distal portion of the elongated body receives a fastener cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. A fastener driving mechanism actuatable from the handle assembly ejects fasteners from the fastener cartridge to form them against an anvil mounted adjacent the cartridge housing. The fastener cartridge is pivotably movable from a position in alignment with a longitudinal axis of the elongated body to a position out of alignment with the elongated body. Visual indication of the relative position of the fastener cartridge is provided by a control lever which is movable toward and away from the handle assembly to correspond with movement of the fastener cartridge. A clamp mechanism is also provided to move the anvil relative to the cartridge housing to clamp tissue therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for localizing and removing tissue is provided which includes a housing defining an opening at a distal end, the housing further forming a tissue receiving cavity in communication with the opening, a localizing needle disposed within the cavity and defining a longitudinal passageway therethrough, a tissue marker housed within the longitudinal passageway, a marker deploying mechanism operatively connected to the marker, and a tissue cutting member operatively connected to the housing in proximity to the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical fasteners is disclosed which includes a first lockout mechanism configured to prevent premature ejection of fasteners during shipment, and a second lockout mechanism to prevent reactuation of the apparatus after it has once been actuated.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical fasteners is disclosed which includes a first lockout assembly configured to prevent premature ejection of fasteners during shipment and handling and a second lockout mechanism preventing reactuation of the apparatus after it has once been actuated. The second lockout mechanism includes a hook portion which engages a slot in the floor of the carrier channel.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is disclosed which includes a first body portion supporting an anvil which defines a fastener forming surface and a second body portion configured to releasably mate with the first body portion and having an elongate retention channel extending from a distal end thereof. A first disposable loading unit is provided which is configured to be removably supported in the retention channel and which includes a staple housing carrying a plurality of staples arranged in at least two parallel rows which, when applied to body tissue, form staple lines having a first lengthwise dimension. A second disposable loading unit is provided which is configured to be removably supported in the retention channel and which includes a staple housing carrying a plurality of staples arranged in at least two parallel rows which, when applied to body tissue, form staple lines having a second lengthwise dimension different from that of the staple lines formed by the first loading unit.

Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A serf contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating cartridge assembly mounted to a distal end of the elongated portion. An anvil member is operatively associated with the articulating cartridge assembly and has a forming surface, thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge assembly. A collar which is provided in the elongated portion translates longitudinally to draw a cable which operates to move the anvil member relative to the cartridge assembly, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus having elongated cartridge and anvil half sections which are relatively moveable from an unclamped to a clamped position. A safety member is supported in the cartridge support member and movable between a non-blocking position and a blocking position to prevent relative movement of the cartridge and anvil half sections to the clamped position after the fasteners have been fired. The safety member blocks movement of the clamping lever to the clamping position.

Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating cartridge assembly mounted to a distal end of the elongated portion. An anvil member is operatively associated with the articulating cartridge assembly and has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge assembly. A collar which is provided in the elongated portion translates longitudinally to draw a cable which operates to move the anvil member relative to the cartridge assembly, thereby clamping body tissue to be fastened. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.