Abstract: A surgical inserter is provided which includes (a) a head portion formed with a ring acceptor for accepting a ring of the surgical screw; and (b) a neck portion connected to, or integrally formed with, the head portion. The neck portion is formed with two longitudinal grooves for engaging a folded band of connective tissue therein.

Abstract: A surgical inserter is provided which includes (a) a head portion formed with a ring acceptor for accepting a ring of the surgical screw; and (b) a neck portion connected to, or integrally formed with, the head portion. The neck portion is formed with two longitudinal grooves for engaging a folded band of connective tissue therein.

Abstract: A surgical inserter is provided which includes (a) a head portion formed with a ring acceptor for accepting a ring of the surgical screw; and (b) a neck portion connected to, or integrally formed with, the head portion. The neck portion is formed with two longitudinal grooves for engaging a folded band of connective tissue therein.

Abstract: A biological vessel suspending assembly is provided. The assembly includes a sling element and at least one anchoring device being attached to at least one end of the sling element, the at least one anchoring device being capable of self anchoring into a tissue to thereby enable suspension of the biological vessel from the sling element, wherein at least a portion of the sling element engaging the biological vessel is configured as a tubular sleeve-like structure capable of rolling upon the biological vessel thus decreasing the likelihood of frictional damage caused by movements of the biological vessel or the sling element at service.

Abstract: A suturing instrument includes a jaw and a pivotally mounted puncturer to be located on opposite sides of the tissue to be sutured. The suture is applied while the puncturer is in an open position on one side of the jaw, and the needle is then pivoted to a closed position through an opening in the jaw to pierce the tissue and to bring a portion of the suture to the opposite side of the jaw. At the opposite side of the jaw, a crochet head is actuated to engage the suture and to clamp it to the jaw as the puncturer is pivoted back to its open position.

Abstract: Tissue suturing instruments and methods of using same are provided. The tissue suturing instruments are designed and configured for suturing tissue grasped thereby to soft tissue as well as to hard tissue.

Abstract: A surgical inserter is provided which includes (a) a head portion formed with a ring acceptor for accepting a ring of the surgical screw; and (b) a neck portion connected to, or integrally formed with, the head portion. The neck portion is formed with two longitudinal grooves for engaging a folded band of connective tissue therein.

Abstract: An elastic suspension device is disclosed. The elastic suspension device includes an element including an elastic connector and at least one anchor at an end portion of the connector, the at least one anchor is designed for anchoring the elastic connector to a tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating liver disease by inducing a hypothyroid state using (i) drugs, e.g., PTU, methimazole, lithium or carbimazole; (ii) surgery; or, (iii) radiation, e.g., .sup.127 I or .sup.131 I. The liver diseases that can be treated using the methods of the invention include: infectious hepatitis, such as (i) viral hepatitis resulting from infection with hepatitis A, D, C, D, E, or G; or (ii) parasitic hepatitis resulting from infection with Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma hematobium or Schistosoma japonicum; or (iii) autoimmune disease, e.g., (a) autoimmune hepatitis or (b) primary biliary cirrhosis.

Abstract: A grasper-cutter instrument for a resecting procedure including (a) an elongated shaft; (b) a stationary jaw connected at a distal end of the elongated shaft; (c) a rotating jaw connected at the distal end of the elongated shaft; (d) a grasp-release mechanism for rotating the rotating jaw in relation to the shaft and the stationary jaw to thereby actuate grasp and release relations of the stationary and rotating jaws; (e) a translating blade extending along a side of the shaft, the blade having a blade end and being translatable from a retracted position to an extended position in which the blade end is extended substantially up to distal ends of the stationary and rotating jaws; and (f) a retracting-extending mechanism for translating the blade from its retracted position to its extended position, and back.

Abstract: Surgical puncture and crochet hooks are provided. Both the puncture and the crochet hooks include (a) a handle; (b) a neck connected to the handle at a proximal end thereof; and (c) a hook element connected to, or integrally formed with, a distal end of the neck. The hook element follows a curved route extending to a side of, and away from, the neck. The hook element of the crochet hook is formed with a distally pointing undercut and a proximally pointing undercut, each of the undercuts is shaped and dimensioned for engaging a surgical suture. Surgical procedures using the puncture and/or crochet hooks are also described.

Abstract: An arthroscopic surgical apparatus for a minimum invasive surgery of the joint is provided. The apparatus includes: (a) a shaft member for insertion into a patient's body, the shaft member featuring a groove for receiving an operating rod therein; (b) a movable operating rod received within the shaft member; (c) a first jaw member connected to the shaft member; and a second jaw member connected to the operating rod, the jaw members for operating a body portion of a patient, the first and second jaw members being inter-connected by means of a jaw pivot; (d) a first handle connected to the shaft member; and a second handle connected to the operating rod, the handles for holding by a user, the first and second handles are inter-connected by means of a handle pivot. The apparatus preferably includes a blocking member for determining a maximal opening of the first and second handles, thereby determining a maximal opening of the first and second jaw members.