Abstract: An external tissue expansion device applies constant continuous low grade force to skin to obtain additional tension free skin and subcutaneous tissue prior to a surgical procedure. The device consists of two suture plates each being laminated structure of steel and an adhesive attached foam cushion. On the each end of one suture plate is a housing that contains a constant force spring placed over a post. The ends of the constant force spring protrude from the housing and there is a hook attached to the end of the constant force spring. On each end of the other suture plate there is a housing, with a opening that can accept the hook of the opposite suture plate. These suture plates are constructed so that they can be manually shaped to conform to the topography of the body part to be corrected and are attached to skin near the defect to be corrected prior to a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A device applies continuous tension to skin adjacent an ulcerative area, to expand and approximate this skin until it covers the ulcerative area. The new device includes a frame which defines a path in which sliders move under the force of a constant tension spring. Each slider includes a hook-like element that engages and pulls the skin until the skin on opposite sides of the ulcerative area comes together. This element is curved, thus defining a plane which is oriented perpendicular to the path of the slider.

Abstract: A device applies continuous tension to skin adjacent an ulcerative area, to expand and approximate this skin until it covers the ulcerative area. The new device includes a frame which defines a path in which sliders move under the force of a constant tension spring. Each slider includes a hook-like element that engages and pulls the skin until the skin on opposite sides of the ulcerative area comes together.

Abstract: A surgical procedure is disclosed for joining, e.g., by stapling or clipping, body tissue of a patient situated in an internal body cavity of the patient from within the body cavity through a small opening into the body cavity. For example, the surgical procedure may be employed to repair indirect inquinial or femoral hernias in a laparoscopic procedure. A small opening is made into the body cavity at a site on the patient's body remote from the body tissue to be joined in the internal body cavity. The body cavity is insufflated. An elongate tissue-joining instrument is inserted into the body cavity through the small opening. The instrument is moved through the insufflated internal body cavity to position a distal end of the instrument close to and on an internal side of the body tissue to be joined in the body cavity. The pieces of body tissue are then joined by the instrument by manipulation of the instrument at a proximal end thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for joining internal body tissue are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment the instrument staples a hernial opening in internal body tissues of a patient comprises an elongate staple cartridge rotatably mounted to an elongate frame at a distal end thereof and an elongate staple forming plate movably mounted to the frame for ejecting a staple from the cartridge into the body tissues of the patient and deforming the staple from an open position to a closed position in which the staple holds together two pieces of body tissue on opposite sides of the hernial opening. The instrument further includes a rotator assembly operatively connected to the cartridge for rotating the cartridge from an orientation aligned with the frame means to a staple ejection orientation transverse to the frame.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for suturing a hernial opening in internal body tissues of a patient comprises an elongate staple cartridge rotatably mounted to an elongate frame at a distal end thereof and an elongate staple forming plate movably mounted to the frame for ejecting a staple from the cartridge into the body tissues of the patient and deforming the staple from an open position to a closed position in which the staple holds together two pieces of body tissue on opposite sides of the hernial opening. The instrument further includes a rotator assembly operatively connected to the cartridge for rotatating the cartridge from an orientation aligned with the frame means to a staple ejection orientation transverse to the frame. A tissue positioning assembly separate from the staple forming plate is provided for gripping, approximating and temporarily holding together in a stapling position the two pieces of body tissue prior to and during a stapling operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved surgical instrument useful in indirect hernia for closing sacs having narrow neck openings. The instrument is formed of a tubular body and has manual drive extending therethrough to actuate a pair of jaws at an end of the tubular body between open and closed positions. The instrument is formed with a conduit and valve which provide suction at the remote end of the instrument in the immediate vicinity of the jaws.

Abstract: A suture organizer apparatus for use with sealed packets of surgical needles and sutures, opened packets for said needles and sutures, and used needles, the apparatus formed as a housing comprising three sections separated from each other by walls, with at least first and second compartments in each section, each compartment in said third section comprising walls defining a space with an opening and an absorbent material traversing said space, said material being impalable to cling to a needle impaled therein.