Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for using it for invaginate stripping of vericose veins from the human body utilize an elongate flexible tube provided with a pair of perforations at its distal end. The perforations provide for delivery of vasodilator fluid from within the tube to the vein lumen to dilate constricted portions of the vein and allow the inverted portion of the vein to pass therethrough. The perforations also provide for the attachment of sutures to the instrument and for the attachment of a stripper head to the instrument when necessary to retrieve a vein the tears during invaginate stripping.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for using it for invaginate stripping of vericose veins from the human body utilize an elongate flexible tube provided with a pair of perforations at its distal end. The perforations provide for delivery of vasodilator fluid from within the tube to the vein lumen to dilate constricted portions of the vein and allow the inverted portion of the vein to pass therethrough. The perforations also provide for the attachment of sutures to the instrument and for the attachment of a stripper head to the instrument when necessary to retrieve a vein that tears during invaginate stripping.

Abstract: An improved surgical device for cutting and removing venous valves is disclosed. The valve cutter is provided with a circular cutting head and a dilating segment affixed to a cable or wire. The circular cutting edge promotes engagement of the valve cusps and does not require orientation within the vein during surgery. A serrated or toothed cutting edge further promotes engagement of the valve leaflets and helps to prevent slippage of the valve leaflet pairs. The serrated cutting edge is tapered inward to prevent trauma to or tearing of the venous wall.

Abstract: An improved hemostatic clip cartridge wherein hemostatic clips are stored prior to use is disclosed. The cartridge, having a number of parallel walls defining individual clip compartments in which the clips are stored, is provided with outwardly extending channel members that extend into each clip compartment. The opposed channel members are positioned to releasably secure a clip therebetween. An applicator is provided so that an individual clip may be removed from its compartment without releasing the remaining clips.

Abstract: A spring clip and applier in which the skin clip is formed of a bail portion and consecutive outwardly and inwardly extending arm portions and the applier is formed with jaws mounted for movement in the direction towards and away from each other with recesses in the adjacent inner faces of the jaws dimensioned to receive a single clip therein and means for dispensing the foremost clip in a stack of clips from the applier into the recessed portions of the jaws.

Abstract: A surgical fastener and applier in which the fastener is formed of a bail portion and consecutive outwardly and inwardly extending arm portions and the applier is formed with jaws mounted for movement in the direction towards and away from each other with recesses in the adjacent inner faces of the jaws dimensioned to receive a single fastener therein.

Abstract: An arterial graft forming package which includes an elongate graft forming porous base member housed within an elongate see-through bag of plastic material having an open end provided with releasable sealing means and finger loops on the outer walls of the bag adjacent the sealing means for disengagement of the sealing means and for holding the bag in open position during use.

Abstract: A cartridge is disclosed suitable for use in a surgical clip applicator. The cartridge includes a pair of channels for the receipt of a supply of clips. A clip pusher is biased toward the clip supply by a spring in order to feed the clips forwardly. Movement of the pusher is arrested or permitted by operation of a switch button which controls a triangular locking member. In a first position the locking member engages the bottom of the cartridge to prevent forward movement while in a second position the locking member permits forward movement of the pusher.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip applicator is provided with a locking mechanism preventing the accidental release of the clip before its application to a blood vessel. The locking mechanism includes a locking bar dimensioned to pass into aligned slots to prevent opening of the jaws beyond a selected distance.

Abstract: An improved hemostatic clip system is disclosed. The clips are provided with internal raised occlusive surfaces. The applicator is provided with a locking mechanism preventing the accidental release of the clip before its application to a blood vessel and an improved cartridge is provided which prevents binding of the clip against the post portion of the cartridge during clip removal thereform. In one embodiment the clips are loosely maintained in the cartridge by severed sections of tape across the top of the cartridge.

Abstract: A device for the preparation of a graft in which a flexible tubular porous base member is suspended within a tubular enclosure with means for sealing the enclosure and for the introduction of blood while removing air from the enclosure co-incident with the introduction of blood and in which the porous tubular base member onto which the blood is clotted in forming the graft embodies axially spaced corrugations to permit stretchability for working the graft to enhance permeation of the blood and to permit easy bending without collapse.

Abstract: A cartridge for feeding pairs of clips simultaneously in laterally spaced apart relation between a pair of clamping jaws whereby the outermost pair of clips are clamped onto an elongate member such as a vessel, in which the cartridge is formed with a pair of laterally spaced apart slots for holding a plurality of clips and a slide for endwise displacement of the clips within the slots and a spring clip for permitting the slide to move forwardly in feeding relation while resisting backward displacement.

Abstract: The preparation of an arterial graft from a device comprising a sealed chamber within an elongate housing formed of translucent impervious walls, an elongate tubular porous base member disposed within said sealed chamber formed of walls having axially spaced corrugations to enable the base member to be stretchable in the axial direction and bendable in all directions while preventing collapse to block the passage extending continuously therethrough, the means for introducing blood into the sealed chamber for clotting onto the walls of the base member to form the arterial graft.

Abstract: Devices for releasably securing externally located sutures are disclosed. These devices may be utilized, for example, to maintain a retention suture in place over an abdominal incision. According to a first configuration, the devices have button-like bodies and have slots therethrough for receiving the suture. Means for securing the suture to the device pass into the slot and compress the suture against the body. According to a second construction, a bridge device is utilized wherein the sutures are received in slots on the bridge where they are secured by compression members.