Abstract: A filling aid. The filling aid includes a needle housing portion including at least one tab having a starting position and a filling position, and a filling needle cradle including a filling needle, the filling needle cradle slidable connected to the needle housing portion and having a starting position and a filling position, wherein when the at least one tab on the needle housing moves from a starting position to a filling position, the filling needle cradle slides from a starting position to a filling position, and wherein when the at least one tab on the needle housing moves from a filling position to a starting position, the filling needle cradle slides from a filling position to a starting position.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for sensing and indicating when a wide range of tissue is adequately cauterized and/or sealed by an electrosurgical instrument. The system indirectly monitors the current flowing through the tissue and determines the adequacy of tissue cauterization or sealing of vessel(s) by monitoring when the current is stable or nearly stable (i.e. when the current is constant). The system may also indicate a predetermined time that current is applied through the tissue and control the flow of energy through the tissue.

Abstract: A filament implant system including an insertion needle including an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the elongated body including a penetrating tip, and a filament releasably connected to the insertion needle such that the filament is engaged with the insertion needle when the insertion needle is advanced into tissue distally along the longitudinal axis and the filament is disengaged from the insertion needle when the insertion needle is withdrawn from the tissue proximally along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A set of fenestration burrs, for fenestrating otic capsule bone (34), includes an initial burr (150) and a sequence of fenestration polishing burrs (180). A polishing burr (152, 1521), of each of the burrs (150, 180), carries at least one spiraling flute (166, 166?). Fenestrations (36) piercing the bone (34) formed using the burrs (150, 180) exhibit uniform diameters while excluding bone dust from the inner ear. An implantable casing (72) includes a hollow collar (76) from which projects a hollow sleeve (74) receivable into the fenestration (36). The casing (72) is secured there by at least one prong (92, 102) jutting from the sleeve (74). A therapeutic appliance (134) is insertable into the casing (72). A flange (116) extending from one end of the sleeve (74) carries at least one L-shaped slot (122) open at one end and extending circumferentially around the flange (116).

Abstract: A filament implant system including an insertion needle including an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the elongated body including a penetrating tip, and a filament releasably connected to the insertion needle such that the filament is engaged with the insertion needle when the insertion needle is advanced into tissue distally along the longitudinal axis and the filament is disengaged from the insertion needle when the insertion needle is withdrawn from the tissue proximally along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A set of fenestration burrs, for fenestrating otic capsule bone (34), includes an initial burr (150) and a sequence of fenestration polishing burrs (180). A polishing burr (152, 1521), of each of the burrs (150, 180), carries at least one spiraling flute (166, 166?). Fenestrations (36) piercing the bone (34) formed using the burrs (150, 180) exhibit uniform diameters while excluding bone dust from the inner ear. An implantable casing (72) includes a hollow collar (76) from which projects a hollow sleeve (74) receivable into the fenestration (36). The casing (72) is secured there by at least one prong (92, 102) jutting from the sleeve (74). A therapeutic appliance (134) is insertable into the casing (72). A flange (116) extending from one end of the sleeve (74) carries at least one L-shaped slot (122) open at one end and extending circumferentially around the flange (116).

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for the treatment and prevention of abdominal and thoracic adhesions as well as other adhesions using a cell-sustaining and surface-separating composition that nourishes and sustains grafted or present non-keratinizing (i.e. nonepidermal) epithelial cells. The composition is preferably a suspension of viable epithelial cells in a polymerizable, absorbable composition, such as fibrin glue, that will provide separation of the organ surfaces and nourishment to seeded and grafted cells.

Abstract: An assembly for releasably attaching a buttress material onto a tissue clamping member of a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The assembly has a substantially rigid frame for connecting to a top surface of a tissue clamping member of a surgical stapling device when the assembly is disposed thereon. A buttress material is attached to first and second sides of the frame for abutting against a bottom surface of a tissue clamping member of a surgical stapling device when the assembly is disposed thereon.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for clamping and stapling tissue. The instrument has a handle and first and a second opposed tissue clamping members connected to the handle. The members are movable between an open position for receiving tissue therebetween and a closed position for stapling tissue therebetween. At least one of the first and second clamping members houses a plurality of staples. The device also includes a strip of buttress material releasably attached to at least one of the first and second tissue clamping members by a hot melt adhesive. The buttress material disposed on the clamping member such that the staples can attach the buttress material to tissue between the clamping members.

Abstract: A method for releasing buttress material from a stapling instrument when the buttress is attached to the instrument by an adhesive is disclosed. The method includes providing stapling instrument comprising first and a second opposed tissue clamping members movable between an open position, for receiving tissue therebetween, and a closed position for stapling tissue therebetween. At least one of the first and second clamping members houses a plurality of staples, and a strip of buttress material is releasably attached to the first tissue clamping member by an adhesive. The method then involves moving the instrument to its open position and inserting tissue between the clamping members. Thereafter, the method involves releasing the buttress material from attachment to the first clamping member by closing the instrument and stapling the buttress material to the tissue. Whereby the movement of the staples breaks the adhesive bond and releases the buttress material from the first clamping member.

Abstract: An assembly for releasably attaching a buttress material onto a tissue clamping member of a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The assembly has a substantially rigid frame for connecting to a top surface of a tissue clamping member of a surgical stapling device when the assembly is disposed thereon. A buttress material is attached to first and second sides of the frame for abutting against a bottom surface of a tissue clamping member of a surgical stapling device when the assembly is disposed thereon.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for clamping and stapling tissue. The instrument has a handle and first and a second opposed tissue clamping members connected to the handle. The members are movable between an open position for receiving tissue therebetween and a closed position for stapling tissue therebetween. At least one of the first and second clamping members houses a plurality of staples. The device also includes a strip of buttress material releasably attached to at least one of the first and second tissue clamping members by a hot melt adhesive. The buttress material disposed on the clamping member such that the staples can attach the buttress material to tissue between the clamping members.

Abstract: A method for releasing buttress material from a stapling instrument when the buttress is attached to the instrument by an adhesive is disclosed. The method includes providing stapling instrument comprising first and a second opposed tissue clamping members movable between an open position, for receiving tissue therebetween, and a closed position for stapling tissue therebetween. At least one of the first and second clamping members houses a plurality of staples, and a strip of buttress material is releasably attached to the first tissue clamping member by an adhesive. The method then involves moving the instrument to its open position and inserting tissue between the clamping members. Thereafter, the method involves releasing the buttress material from attachment to the first clamping member by closing the instrument and stapling the buttress material to the tissue. Whereby the movement of the staples breaks the adhesive bond and releases the buttress material from the first clamping member.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate the staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate the staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument.

Abstract: A new method is shown whereby staples are closed to smaller heights so that virtually total hemostasis is possible. Also, the staple legs in alternate rows in the surgical stapler are made to interlock so that during closure, hemostasis is effected by the interlocking of the staple legs.

Abstract: A sealed surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a curved shaft to an actuator handle assembly and incorporates an improved actuator mechanism for transmitting the required operating forces and movements from the actuator handle assembly through the curved shaft to an anvil and staple driver of the stapling head assembly. Various mechanisms for sealing the instrument are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a flexible support shaft to an actuator handle assembly. The support shaft is capable of bending in any radial direction relative to its centerline into a curved configuration suitable for insertion into a patient. The flexible support shaft includes a dual coil structure which is adapted to support itself in any curved configuration and to resist deflection upon insertion into the patient and actuation of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a driver assembly which is operable in multiple stages to separate te staple forming and tissue cutting actions to reduce the peak force required to operate the instrument.

Abstract: A sealed surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a curved shaft to an actuator handle assembly and incorporates an improved actuator mechanism for transmitting the required operating forces and movements from the actuator handle assembly through the curved shaft to an anvil and staple driver of the stapling head assembly. Various mechanisms for sealing the instrument are disclosed.