Abstract: A suturing device includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto and one or more guide lumens extending therethrough. The shaft has a head portion disposed at a distal end thereof. The head portion is configured to retain a portion of a suture therein. A ferrule assembly is rotatably coupled to the shaft and includes at least one ferrule holder. Each ferrule holder is configured to releasably retain a ferrule therein. Each ferrule is configured to retain a portion of the suture thereon. The ferrule assembly is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The guide lumen(s) are configured to direct a suture passer into engagement with the ferrule of one of the ferrule holders when the ferrule assembly is in one of the first and second positions.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a housing, a rod, a ferrule assembly, and a needle. The housing defines a guide lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The rod is engaged with the housing and extends distally therefrom. The ferrule assembly is disposed at a distal end of the rod and is configured to releasably retain a ferrule therein. The ferrule is adapted to retain of a portion of a suture therein. The needle is configured for translation through the guide lumen defined within the housing. A distal end of the needle is configured to engage the ferrule within the ferrule assembly for removal of the ferrule from the ferrule assembly.

Abstract: Seal assemblies are provided, comprising a seal holder including a cylindrical wall portion having a tapered distal portion, wherein the cylindrical wall portion defines a central passage. The seal assembly comprises a ball seal supported in the central passage of the seal holder. The ball seal includes a distal aperture and a proximal aperture, wherein the distal and/or proximal aperture is dimensioned for substantial sealed reception with a surgical instrument. The ball seal is adapted for angular movement relative to a central longitudinal axis of the seal holder upon angulation of the surgical instrument, whereby the ball seal substantially maintains the seal with the surgical instrument. The seal assembly comprises a seal cover defining an aperture formed in a transverse wall thereof. The seal cover is configured for connection with the seal holder for maintaining the ball seal within the central passage of the seal holder.

Abstract: An optical obturator for penetrating tissue includes an outer member defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, a leading member disposed adjacent the distal end of the outer member and having an optical window adapted to permit passage of light therethrough for detection by a clinician, and a penetrating member mounted adjacent the leading member and having a penetrating surface adapted to facilitate penetrating of tissue. The leading member is adapted for longitudinal movement between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The penetrating surface of the penetrating member is at least partially exposed upon movement of the leading member from the first longitudinal position to the second longitudinal position.

Abstract: Pneumoperitoneum needles for providing and/or insufflating a corporal and/or abdominal cavity are provided. The pneumoperitoneum needle can include a housing, an elongate tubular body extending from a distal surface of the housing, and an elongate hollow tubular rod slidably received within the tubular body. The tubular body preferably includes a passage formed therethrough for connection to a gas administration system. The tubular rod preferably includes a blunt distal end defining an opening, and a proximal end portion defining an opening formed therethrough.

Abstract: A flexible external cannula sheath assembly includes a tubular member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and a seal positioned adjacent the distal end portion of the tubular member. The seal defines a hole in a central portion thereof for receiving surgical instruments therethrough. The flexible sheath is formed of a flexible material and is configured and dimensioned to surround an external surface of a cannula. The seal is displaced a predetermined distance from a distal end of the cannula to provide additional flexibility to the assembly.

Abstract: An optical access apparatus for receiving an endoscope to permit visualization during passage through tissue includes an access member dimensioned for insertion through body tissue. The access member defines a longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal opening for receiving an endoscope. The access member has a closed penetrating end adapted to pass through tissue. The closed penetrating end is transparent to permit visualization of tissue with the endoscope. The optical access apparatus further includes a locking collet coaxially mounted relative to the longitudinal axis of the access member and a manual member mounted adjacent the locking collet and operatively engageable therewith. The locking collet has internal surfaces defining an internal passage to permit passage of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical seal assembly includes a sleeve housing adapted to be operatively connected to a surgical sleeve, a seal housing adapted for releasable mounting to the sleeve housing and having a seal member with inner portions adapted to permit passage of a surgical object in substantial sealed relation therewith, and a manual lock member associated with the sleeve housing. The manual lock member is adapted for movement relative to the seal housing between a first position corresponding to a release position of the seal housing to permit removal of the seal housing from mounting to the sleeve housing and a second position corresponding to a lock position of the seal housing to secure the seal housing to the sleeve housing. The manual lock member is preferably adapted for rotational movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the seal housing to move between the first and second positions thereof.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for penetrating tissue includes an outer member defining a longitudinal axis and having an outer peripheral wall and an inner member at least partially disposed within the outer member. The inner member includes a penetrating member adjacent the distal end of the outer member. The penetrating member has a substantially annular peripheral edge adapted to penetrate tissue. The inner member and the outer member are adapted for relative longitudinal movement between first and second longitudinal positions. In the first position, the annular peripheral edge of the penetrating member is substantially confined within the outer peripheral wall of the outer member and wherein, in the second position, the annular peripheral edge is at least partially exposed from the outer peripheral wall to facilitate penetration through tissue.

Abstract: A surgical system for penetrating tissue includes an obturator having an obturator housing and an obturator member extending from the obturator housing and having a penetrating member adapted to penetrate tissue. The penetrating member defines an outer wall with an irregular surface dimensioned to facilitate passage through tissue. The obturator may further include a stylet at least partially disposed within the obturator member. The stylet and the obturator member are adapted for relative longitudinal movement between a first relative position corresponding to an unarmed condition of the penetrating member and a second relative position corresponding to an armed condition of the penetrating member.

Abstract: An optical access apparatus includes a portal sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal opening therethrough and an inner member at least partially positionable within the portal sleeve. The portal sleeve has leading and trailing end portions. The leading end portion has a leading edge adapted to penetrate tissue. The inner member includes a longitudinal lumen for at least partial reception of a viewing device and has a generally closed optical window adapted to permit passage of an image for viewing by the viewing device. The closed optical window is generally atraumatic with respect to the tissue whereby penetration through the tissue is substantially effected through the leading edge of the portal sleeve.

Abstract: A trocar assembly for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes a cannula subassembly and an obturator subassembly. The obturator assembly includes an obturator shaft member defining a longitudinal axis and an obturator tip configured to be removable from the obturator shaft member or, alternatively, constructed with the obturator member as a single unit. Various designs of the obturator tip are contemplated.

Abstract: A surgical access apparatus for passing through tissue to an underlying surgical area includes an access member defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal channel for reception of a surgical object, a seal member mounted to the access member and positioned to intersect the longitudinal channel, and having internal seal surfaces defining a passage and being dimensioned to establish a substantial sealing relation with a surgical object inserted therethrough and a substantially annular element mounted to the seal member and at least partially circumscribing the passage. The annular member is rigid relative to the seal member and defines an opening to permit passage of the object. The annular element is dimensioned to minimize offset manipulation of the surgical object relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole logging tool having on its tool body a set of co-located antennas, one or more additional antennas spaced longitudinally apart from the set of co-located antennas, an electromagnetically transparent shield circumferentially surrounding the set of co-located antennas, and an electromagnetically transparent shield circumferentially surrounding each of the one or more additional antennas. The downhole logging tool may be a wireline or while-drilling tool, and it may be an induction or propagation tool. The shields may have slots that are locally perpendicular to the windings of underlying coil antennas.

Abstract: An optical access apparatus for receiving an endoscope to permit visualization during passage through tissue includes an access member dimensioned for insertion through body tissue. The access member defines a longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal opening for receiving an endoscope. The access member has a closed penetrating end adapted to pass through tissue. The closed penetrating end is transparent to permit visualization of tissue with the endoscope. The optical access apparatus further includes a locking collet coaxially mounted relative to the longitudinal axis of the access member and a manual member mounted adjacent the locking collet and operatively engageable therewith. The locking collet has internal surfaces defining an internal passage to permit passage of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical seal system is adapted for use with a cannula assembly having a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve extending from the cannula housing. The surgical seal assembly includes a seal assembly and an adapter assembly. The seal assembly is mountable to the cannula housing. The seal assembly includes a seal housing and a seal defining inner portions adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a first cross-sectional dimension. The adapter assembly includes an adapter body adapted for releasably coupling to the seal housing of the seal assembly. The adapter body has an adapter seal and a tether. The adapter seal is adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a second cross-sectional dimension less than the first cross-sectional dimension. The tether is mountable to the cannula sleeve thus securing the adapter assembly to the cannula.

Abstract: Accordingly, a surgical portal apparatus for accessing a cavity is provided. The surgical portal apparatus includes a portal member defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passageway therethrough for receiving a surgical object, and an adjustable seal disposed within the longitudinal passageway. The adjustable seal includes a first configuration wherein the adjustable seal defines a first opening configured for receiving a first surgical object having a first diameter. The first opening defines a first central axis therethrough. The adjustable seal includes a second configuration wherein the adjustable seal defines a second opening configured for receiving a second surgical object having a second diameter. The second opening defines a second central axis laterally offset from the first central axis.

Abstract: A surgical portal apparatus includes a portal member defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal opening therethrough for receiving a surgical object, an adjustable seal disposed within the longitudinal opening and having inner seal portions adapted to permit passage of the surgical object in substantial sealed relation therewith and an adjustment member mounted within the portal member and operatively connected to the adjustable seal. The adjustment member is positioned to intersect the longitudinal passageway to engage the surgical object and move relative to the portal member to thereby cause corresponding relative displacement of the inner seal portions of the adjustable seal and facilitate passage of the surgical object through the adjustable seal. The inner seal portions of the adjustable seal are adapted for relative movement between a first generally approximated position and a second generally displaced position upon movement of the adjustment member.

Abstract: A surgical seal assembly includes a sleeve housing adapted to be operatively connected to a surgical sleeve, a seal housing adapted for releasable mounting to the sleeve housing and having a seal member with inner portions adapted to permit passage of a surgical object in substantial sealed relation therewith, and a manual lock member associated with the sleeve housing. The manual lock member is adapted for movement relative to the seal housing between a first position corresponding to a release position of the seal housing to permit removal of the seal housing from mounting to the sleeve housing and a second position corresponding to a lock position of the seal housing to secure the seal housing to the sleeve housing. The manual lock member is preferably adapted for rotational movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the seal housing to move between the first and second positions thereof.

Abstract: A surgical access apparatus adaptable to permit the sealed insertion of either the surgeon's hand and/or surgical instruments during laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures includes an access housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a first internal passageway configured and dimensioned to permit passage of at least one of a hand and an arm of a surgeon, and a base mountable to the access housing. The base may include a liner member positionable within an incision of a patient to at least partially line the incision. The liner member may have a first end for positioning within the body and a second end for positioning external of the body. A displacement member may be operatively connected to the access housing and to the second end of the liner member.