Abstract: An automated machine for the high-speed packaging of multiple surgical needles each with an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover structure providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the needles and attached sutures. Additionally, the automated packaging machine incorporates operative mechanism adapted to wind the sutures into a peripheral channel of the tray and facilitating the attachment of the cover to the tray which contains the needles and attached wound sutures, and from which cover there is concurrently formed a separate product-identifying label as a component of the tray upon removal of the cover to gain access to the contents of the tray.

Abstract: An automated machine for attaching a suture to a surgical needle comprises a first apparatus located at a first predetermined location for sorting a plurality of randomly oriented needles and orienting each needle for automatic handling at a first predetermined location, each of the needles having a suture receiving opening formed therein. A second apparatus located at a second predetermined location is provided for automatically cutting an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length suture strand and for automatically inserting an end of the definite length suture strand into the suture receiving opening formed in the needle. Also provided is a third apparatus for swaging the needle to close the suture receiving opening about the suture to secure said suture thereto and form therefrom a needle and suture assembly.

Abstract: A sterile, hemostatic clip for use in occluding vessels. The clip comprises a pair of leg members resiliently connected at a pivot area disposed between the ends of said leg members. A wedge member is used to cause one portion of the leg members to diverge even more and consequently cause the opposing portions to converge and occlude a vessel placed therebetween.

Abstract: Various fasteners are provided to hold together portions of mammalian tissue. The fasteners include fastening members with spaced-apart legs adapted to be passed through the tissue portions. One embodiment of the fastener has a mesh-like receiver around each leg for engaging the legs of another identical fastening member inserted from an opposite side of the tissue portions. In other embodiments, the receiver is a separate element and is applied to a side of the tissue portions opposite the fastening member to engage the legs of the fastening member. The receiver may have a variety of forms. A number of structures are disclosed for effecting engagement of the fastening member legs with the receiver.

Abstract: A pistol-type surgical instrument for applying ligating clips to blood vessels and other tubular ducts in remote locations which are substantially inaccessible to conventional forceps-type appliers. Tubular jaw assemblies of various lengths may be mounted on the pistol-grip handle of the instrument, and the mounted jaw assembly is fully rotatable to permit orientation of the clip applying jaws. The jaws are preferably at right angles to the axis of the tubular jaw assembly, but may be slanted forward or rearward up to about 20 degrees.