Abstract: A wound closure assembly and method for its use. The wound closure assembly includes a curved inserter having a distal end and a proximal end, a filamentary element extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the proximal end of the curved inserter, a first anchor coupled to the filamentary element between its first and second ends, and a second anchor positioned at the distal end of the filamentary element. The filamentary element is configured to form a slip knot between the first and second anchors so as to enable the distance between the first and second anchors to be decreased by pulling on the proximal end of the filamentary element. The distal end of the curved inserter is received within a channel in the first anchor that extends along its longitudinal length.

Abstract: A knotted suture device is disclosed. The device may have a surgical needle attached to one or both ends of the suture. The device has a plurality of loops formed by knots. An anchor member is attached to the device. The device when used in a surgical procedure can be secured without the need to tie a knot.

Abstract: A surgical fastener for securing a prosthetic device to tissue includes a first leg having a proximal end, a distal end, a first insertion tip at the distal end, and a first articulating joint that separates said first leg into a proximal segment and a distal segment that is deflectable relative to the proximal segment, and a second leg including a proximal end, a distal end, a second insertion tip at the distal end, and a second articulating joint that separates said second leg into a proximal segment and a distal segment that is deflectable relative to the proximal segment. A bridge connects the proximal ends of the first and second legs for forming a closed end of the surgical fastener. After implantation in tissue, the insertion tips are deflectable away from vessels and nerves to minimize injury to the vessels and nerves, and to minimize patient discomfort and pain.

Abstract: An implant insertion system includes an implant, such as a surgical mesh, having at least one insertion tip secured to the implant. Each insertion tip has a tapered distal end, a proximal end, a base extending proximally from the tapered distal end, and a central lumen formed in the base having an opening facing the proximal end of the insertion tip. The system includes an insertion device having an outer shaft and a latching assembly provided at a distal end of the outer shaft that is insertable into the opening of the central lumen for selectively locking the insertion tip to the latching assembly. The latching assembly has an outer dimension that is changeable from expanded state for locking the insertion tip to the latching assembly to a non-expanded state for unlocking the insertion tip from the latching assembly.

Abstract: A surgical fastener includes a first leg having a distal end, a proximal end, and a first insertion tip at the distal end of the first leg, the first insertion tip having a first distal piercing point, and a second leg having a distal end, a proximal end, and a second insertion tip at the distal end of the second leg, the second insertion tip having a second distal piercing point. A bridge connects the first and second legs. The first and second distal piercing points are located outside the respective first and second legs. The first and second legs extend along respective longitudinal axes, and the first and second insertion tips are asymmetrical and skewed outwardly relative to said respective longitudinal axes of the first and second legs.

Abstract: A method of securing a prosthetic device to tissue includes providing an applicator instrument including a housing, a shaft, surgical fasteners, a firing rod for dispensing the surgical fasteners from the shaft, a trigger, and an energy storing element. The method includes positioning a prosthetic device over tissue, juxtaposing a distal end of the shaft with the prosthetic device, and compressing the trigger for piloting the firing rod toward the distal end of the elongated shaft at a first rate of speed. The method includes preventing the firing rod from moving distally while building up energy in the energy storing element, and further compressing the trigger for releasing the firing rod for distal movement and transferring the built up energy for moving the firing rod toward the distal end of the elongated shaft at a second rate of speed that is greater than the first rate of speed.

Abstract: A surgical fastener for securing a prosthetic device to tissue includes a first leg having a distal end, a proximal end, and a first insertion tip at the distal end of the first leg, and a second leg including a distal end, a proximal end, and a second insertion tip at the distal end of the second leg. A bridge connects the proximal ends of the first and second legs for forming a closed end of the surgical fastener. The first insertion tip has a first insertion tool seating surface, and the second insertion tip has a second insertion tool seating surface. The first insertion tool seating surface is closer to the distal end of the first leg than the proximal end of the first leg, and the second insertion tool seating surface is closer to the distal end of the second leg than the proximal end of the second leg. The first and second legs extend along respective longitudinal axes, and the first and second insertion tips are skewed outwardly relative to the respective longitudinal axes.

Abstract: An applicator system for surgical fasteners includes an insertion tool having a shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and an insertion fork connected to the distal end of the shaft, and at least one cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners used for securing an implant to tissue. The surgical fasteners are removed one at a time from the cartridge by engaging one of the surgical fasteners with the insertion fork and removing the engaged surgical fastener from the cartridge. The insertion fork with the loaded surgical fastener is manually inserted through an implant and into tissue for securing the implant to the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is an infinitely adjustable depth stop for a laparoscopic instrument having a shaft, the depth stop including a first component having a first annular space adapted to allow the shaft to be fitted therethrough. The first annular space has a reducible diameter and an interference surface against which the shaft may be fitted. Upon reduction of the reducible diameter, the interference surface frictionally engages the shaft to arrest relative movement of the depth stop along the shaft. The frictional engagement may be along a curve, a spiral curve, or an area. Means are also provided to reopen the reducible diameter to release the depth stop.

Abstract: A tissue anchor comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end with one set of dimensions and a projected surface area, a distal end with a second set of dimensions and a projected surface area where the respective dimensions of the first and second ends are not identical and the projected areas are substantially the same. The tissue anchor may further have a fixing member to attach the anchor and one or more tissues together or to attach the other structures to tissue.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, the elongated shaft having a proximal end coupled with the housing and a distal end remote therefrom, and a firing system for dispensing surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft. The firing system includes a firing rod disposed in the elongated shaft, the firing system having a firing cycle with a first stage for advancing the firing rod toward the distal end of the elongated shaft at a first rate of speed and a second stage for advancing the firing rod toward the distal end of the elongated shaft at a second rate of speed that is greater than the first rate of speed.

Abstract: An implant insertion system includes an implant, such as a surgical mesh, having at least one insertion tip secured to the implant. Each insertion tip has a tapered distal end, a proximal end, a base extending proximally from the tapered distal end, and a central lumen formed in the base having an opening facing the proximal end of the insertion tip. The system includes an insertion device having an outer shaft and a latching assembly provided at a distal end of the outer shaft that is insertable into the opening of the central lumen for selectively locking the insertion tip to the latching assembly. The latching assembly has an outer dimension that is changeable from expanded state for locking the insertion tip to the latching assembly to a non-expanded state for unlocking the insertion tip from the latching assembly.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a firing rod disposed inside the elongated shaft and being movable within a first plane between a retracted position and an extended position, an advancer disposed inside the elongated shaft and being moveable within a second plane between a retracted position and an extended position, and a staging assembly located adjacent the distal end of the elongated shaft and being adapted to align surgical fasteners with a distal end of the firing rod. The staging assembly is held below the second plane by the advancer when the advancer is in the extended position and the staging assembly is adapted to move into at least partial alignment with the distal end of the firing rod when the advancer is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A wound closure assembly and method for its use. The wound closure assembly includes a curved inserter having a distal end and a proximal end, a filamentary element extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the proximal end of the curved inserter, a first anchor coupled to the filamentary element between its first and second ends, and a second anchor positioned at the distal end of the filamentary element. The filamentary element is configured to form a slip knot between the first and second anchors so as to enable the distance between the first and second anchors to be decreased by pulling on the proximal end of the filamentary element. The distal end of the curved inserter is received within a channel in the first anchor that extends along its longitudinal length.

Abstract: A knotted suture device is disclosed. The device may have a surgical needle attached to one or both ends of the suture. The device has a plurality of loops formed by knots. An anchor member is attached to the device. The device when used in a surgical procedure can be secured without the need to tie a knot.

Abstract: A cutting blade for a surgical morcellator has a distal end and a sharpened cutting edge situated at the distal end for transecting tissue to form tissue morsels, the cutting blade being structured to minimize contact between the sharpened edge and a tissue grasping instrument used with the morcellator during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical fastener for securing a prosthetic device to tissue includes a first leg having a distal end, a proximal end, and a first insertion tip at the distal end of the first leg, and a second leg including a distal end, a proximal end, and a second insertion tip at the distal end of the second leg. A bridge connects the proximal ends of the first and second legs for forming a closed end of the surgical fastener. The first insertion tip has a first insertion tool seating surface, and the second insertion tip has a second insertion tool seating surface. The first insertion tool seating surface is closer to the distal end of the first leg than the proximal end of the first leg, and the second insertion tool seating surface is closer to the distal end of the second leg than the proximal end of the second leg. The first and second legs extend along respective longitudinal axes, and the first and second insertion tips are skewed outwardly relative to the respective longitudinal axes.