Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical scissors for cutting tissue is disclosed. The laparoscopic surgical scissors has a handle body assembly having an actuation member moveable toward and away from the handle body assembly. An elongated shaft having a proximal and a distal end that define a longitudinal axis is connected to the handle body assembly at the proximal end of said shaft. A pair of cutting blades have a first blade member and a second blade member that are co-operably connected about a common pivot member adjacent to the distal end of the elongated shaft. The common pivot member defines a common pivot axis perpendicular to the elongated shaft. The first blade member has a first cutting edge and the second blade member has a second cutting edge facing the first cutting edge. The blade members have a single point of blade contact translating proximally and distally as the blade members open and close in response to movement of the actuation member away from and toward the handle body assembly.

Abstract: Bone anchors, after insertion into bone, are designed to remain in place and provide a platform for holding tissue. A method of ultrasonically embedding bone anchors into bone without pre-drilling an anchor receiving hole into the bone has been developed. Also described is an improved bone anchor embedding method utilizing ultrasonic energy to reduce insertion force, whereby the bone anchor and embedding device can be formed very small, (e.g. on the order of 2 to 5 millimeters in diameter). In an embodiment of the present invention, a method of bone anchor embedding utilizing ultrasonic energy is used to insert a bone anchor into a pre-drilled hole, wherein the hole in the bone may be smaller in diameter than the diameter of the bone anchor.

Abstract: Bone anchors, after insertion into bone, are designed to remain in place and provide a platform for holding tissue. An ultrasonic bone anchor is described, comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a body between the proximal end of the bone anchor and the distal end of the bone anchor. There is an outer surface on the body of the bone anchor which may include at least one protrusion extending from the outer surface of the bone anchor body. A coupling element is located at the proximal end of the bone anchor. The ultrasonic bone anchor is adapted to reciprocate at an ultrasonic frequency with an excursion of 50 to 300 micrometers. An embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic bone anchor wherein the coupling element includes threads formed in a right-hand screw pattern, and the protrusion is formed in a left-hand screw pattern. Alternately the threads may be formed in a left-hand pattern and the protrusion formed in a right-hand pattern.

Abstract: A unique hernia repair stapler is described which allows the forming of staples to attach prosthetics to tissue, or to approximate herniated tissue. The staple is useful in endoscopic operations and may be rotatable or stationary. The stapler has a unique forming and ejecting mechanism; as well, there is the availability of a loading mechanism useful for both cartridges and magazines of staples. An improved staple shape allows for better staple alignment, especially in a multiple load device.

Abstract: A unique hernia repair stapler is described which allows the forming of staples to attach prosthetics to tissue, or to approximate herniated tissue. The staple is useful in endoscopic operations and may be rotatable or stationary. The stapler has a unique forming and electing mechanism; as well, there is the availability of a loading mechanism useful for both cartridges and magazines of staples. An improved staple shape allows for better staple alignment, especially in a multiple load device.

Abstract: A unique hernia repair stapler is described which allows the forming of staples to attach prosthetics to tissue, or to approximate herniated tissue. The staple is useful in endoscopic operations and may be rotatable or stationary. The stapler has a unique forming and ejecting mechanism; as well, there is the availability of a loading mechanism useful for both cartridges and magazines of staples. An improved staple shape allows for better staple alignment, especially in a multiple load device.

Abstract: A pneumatic stapler which contains a mechanism for manual or automatic retaining pin placement. The automatic retaining pin is connected to a set of linkage plates actuable by a series of inflation of bladders in order to create instrument closure on tissue compression and simultaneously create pin placement. An optional manual, curved retaining pin is used in place of the automatic pin system. Further, because this instrument has a ramped anvil mechanism, adjustable staple height is derived. Controlled closure of the mechanism is provided with a detent spring and constant force springs. Upon stapling, the staple encounters an anvil with reduced size, which is kept closed by a latched retaining pin system to allow for reduced width of the anvil so that the stapling head becomes more versatile. Finally, after firing the staples, the mechanism is capable of rapid depressurization and simultaneous instrument opening by a spring return mechanism.

Abstract: A disposable linear surgical stapler includes a handle, anvil, staple cartridge and flexible shaft attaching the handle to the cartridge and transmitting a firing force exerted at the handle to the distant cartridge for sequentially implanting, forming and clinching staples in two staggered staple lines. A flexible cable in the flexible shaft pulls a firing wedge across a plurality of staple drivers in the cartridge. The anvil is adjustable to vary the gap between the anvil and staple cartridge.