Abstract: A surgical instrument useful in harvesting blood vessels such as veins and arteries. The instrument has a pair of jaws and a central cutting element displaceable distally and proximally to dissect tissue contained between the jaws. A sequencing element prevents the cutting element from being engaged when the jaws are in the open configuration.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a plurality of individual surgical fasteners is disclosed. The delivery device has a drive mechanism having a distal and a proximal end, and a first and a second opposing member. The members are moveable proximally and distally with respect to the delivery device, and individually with respect to each other. The device further includes at least one surgical fastener located between the first and the second members. Each of the at least one surgical fasteners has a proximal end and a distal end. The surgical fasteners are preferably made from a superelastic nickel titanium alloy. Additionally an actuator having at least three sequential positions is included. The first position of the actuator is for moving the drive mechanism distally. The second position is for moving the first member proximally to partially deploy the distal end of the fastener. The third position of the actuator is for moving the second member proximally, to fully deploy the distal end of the fastener.

Abstract: A surgical instrument useful in harvesting blood vessels such as veins and arteries. The instrument has a pair of jaws and a central cutting element displaceable distally and proximally to dissect tissue contained between the jaws. A sequencing element prevents the cutting element from being engaged when the jaws are in the open configuration.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: An articulating surgical instrument with an articulation transmission assembly for remotely articulating the end effector of the instrument includes a body with a housing mounted on the instrument, oscillating and rotating members, and an actuator rotatably mounted on the housing and secured to the rotating member. The oscillating member is seated rotationally stationary within the housing. The rotating member fits into the oscillating member, and has a drive shaft extending into the body for translating rotation from the rotating member into reciprocation of an elongated transmission rod attached to the drive shaft. First and second sets of unloading teeth are displayed on the oscillating member and actuator, respectively. First and second locking teeth are displayed on the oscillating and rotating members, respectively. The assembly provides ratcheting rotation for precisely positioning the end effector in discrete positions.

Abstract: An improved electro surgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located on one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument is provided for applying lateral lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines. The instrument includes a handle portion, an implement portion, a reciprocating section, a drive member and a movable actuator. The implement portion includes a staple cartridge and an anvil. The reciprocating section is adapted to move back and forth along an axis of the implement portion. The movable actuator is associated with the handle portion and is engaged with the drive member such that motion of the actuator causes the drive member to move back and forth between first and second drive positions separated by a first distance. Further structure is provided to position only a correct amount of tissue (a predetermined range) between the anvil and cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument is provided for applying lateral lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines. The instrument includes a handle portion, an implement portion, a reciprocating section, a drive member and a movable actuator. The implement portion includes a staple cartridge and an anvil. The reciprocating section is adapted to move back and forth along an axis of the implement portion. The movable actuator is associated with the handle portion and is engaged with the drive member such that motion of the actuator causes the drive member to move back and forth between first and second drive positions separated by a first distance. A multiplier is further provided and is associated with the reciprocating section and the drive member for causing the reciprocating section to move back and forth between first and second reciprocating positions in response to movement of the drive member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, illustrated as an endoscopic surgical stapler, includes first and second operating linkages respectively operatively connected with first and second operating levers pivotally mounted on a frame of the instrument. An improved mounting arrangement is provided for the operating levers in the form of first and second mounting bosses. The mounting bosses are formed separately in order to isolate forces exerted thereon by the operating levers attendant to use of the instrument.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical tool comprises a retractable cutting element movable along a cutting path and an electrical energy supply source which communicates electrical energy (e.g., radio frequency energy) through one or more energy delivering electrodes associated with a tissue affecting portion of the tool to tissue adjacent the electrodes. One or more additional electrodes, such as return electrodes, form a second pole of the bipolar electrical connection are also associated with the tissue affecting portion and are electrically isolated from the energy delivering electrode. Various combinations of electrically conductive and electrically isolated elements associated with the tissue affecting portion of the device can be used as the two poles of the bipolar system.

Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument is provided for applying lateral lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines. The instrument includes a handle portion, an implement portion, a reciprocating section, a drive member and a movable actuator. The implement portion includes a staple cartridge and an anvil. The reciprocating section is adapted to move back and forth along an axis of the implement portion. The movable actuator is associated with the handle portion and is engaged with the drive member such that motion of the actuator causes the drive member to move back and forth between first and second drive positions separated by a first distance. Mechanisms are provided to position only a correct amount of tissue (a predetermined range) between the anvil and cartridge.

Abstract: An air bag module comprises an inflatable air bag, an inflator and a container for housing the inflator and the air bag. The container comprises an elongated reaction canister having a closed housing formed of a U-shaped body with end walls defining a rectangular top gas discharge opening. An air bag deployment chute comprises a rectangular body having a bottom gas transfer opening mating with the canister opening and a top air bag deployment opening. Cooperating flanges on the top side of the canister and on the bottom side of the chute are interengageable upon endwise sliding to assemble the chute to the canister. Surfaces on the chute and canister engage to locate the chute bottom opening in registry with the canister opening. Cooperating tabs on the canister are received in slots formed in the chute upon assembly and are deformed to lock the chute to the canister.

Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument is provided for applying lateral lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines. The instrument includes a handle portion, an implement portion, a reciprocating section, a drive member and a movable actuator. The implement portion includes a staple cartridge and an anvil. The reciprocating section is adapted to move back and forth along an axis of the implement portion. The movable actuator is associated with the handle portion and is engaged with the drive member such that motion of the actuator causes the drive member to move back and forth between first and second drive positions separated by a first distance. A multiplier is further provided and is associated with the reciprocating section and the drive member for causing the reciprocating section to move back and forth between first and second reciprocating positions in response to movement of the drive member.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: An air bag module comprises an inflatable air bag, an inflator and a container for housing the inflator and the air bag. The container comprises an elongated reaction canister having a closed housing formed of a U-shaped body with end walls defining a rectangular top gas discharge opening. An air bag deployment chute comprises a rectangular body having a bottom gas transfer opening mating with the canister opening and a top air bag deployment opening. Cooperating flanges on the top side of the canister and on the bottom side of the chute are interengageable upon endwise sliding to assemble the chute to the canister. Surfaces on the chute and canister engage to locate the chute bottom opening in registry with the canister opening. Cooperating tabs on the canister are received in slots formed in the chute upon assembly and are deformed to lock the chute to the canister.

Abstract: A lockout mechanism actuable upon the firing of staples in a surgical staple cartridge such that the lockout mechanism prevents the refiring of the spent staple cartridge when that cartridge remains loaded within the surgical stapler. In addition, the lockout mechanism will prevent reloading of a spent staple cartridge within a surgical stapler after the spent staple cartridge has been removed from the surgical stapler.

Abstract: A lockout mechanism actuable upon the firing of staples in a surgical staple cartridge such that the lockout mechanism prevents the refiring of the spent staple cartridge when the cartridge remains loaded within the surgical stapler. In addition, the lockout mechanism will prevent reloading of a spent staple cartridge within a surgical stapler after the spent staple cartridge has been removed from the surgical stapler.