Abstract: A machine for forming threads in a cylindrical bone dowel made of bone material, comprising a planar surfaced base provided with a threaded guide member having an externally threaded portion. A holding and rotating assembly is mounted on the base to rotatably hold the bone dowel so that the central axis of the bone dowel extends in the axial direction of the threaded guide member, An essentially planar support member is mounted on the guide member for movement with respect to base and an angle adjustment assembly is mounted to the support member. A cutting assembly having a cutting member in the form of a burr is also mounted on the support member so that when the threaded guide member is rotated the cutting assembly and associated cutting member is carried by support member to engage the bone dowel.

Abstract: A rigid or semi-rigid reinforcement member is inserted into or over the damaged portion of an injured tendon or ligament. The tendon or ligament is connected to the reinforcement member such that the cord-member combination can immediately withstand normal tensile forces. The interconnection can be mechanical, such as by pins extending through the sleeve reinforcement member and cord. The sleeve can be bioabsorbable over a sufficiently long period of time that the cord is healed by the time the sleeve is absorbed.

Abstract: A surgical knot pusher for pushing a suture knot along a suture strand, comprising an elongated tube with a flattened tip formed on the distal end of the elongated tube. The flattened tip is provided with opposing resilient jaws defining a slot therebetween which leads to an eyelet defined by the flattened tip for containing an advancing length of the suture while the suture knot is being pushed allowing the suture strand to easily enter the eyelet while preventing the suture strand from exiting the eyelet. A cutting assembly is slidably mounted within the elongated tube and comprises a rod with a blade having a straight linear edge mounted on one end and a handle on the other end. The blade is biased away from the flattened tip by a spring mounted on the rod, the spring engaging the flattened tip when the blade is moved toward the eyelet by pushing the handle toward the tip.

Abstract: A surgical knot pusher, including a body shaft, a tip arranged on one end of the body shaft, and a slot in a sidewall of the tip for manipulating suture material extending through an opening in an endwall of the tip. A notched slit is connected to the opening and the opening has a diameter which is larger than the width of the slit. The slot may include two channels which intersect each other with a first channel of the slot parallel to a long axis of the body shaft. The surgical knot pusher may also include a blade slidable in the slot for shearing the suture material after the knot pusher is used to advance and tighten a slip knot in the suture material. The blade may be attached to an end of a spring-biased cutter shaft slidable inside the body shaft.

Abstract: An automatic hemostatic clip applicator is disclosed wherein the jaws, cartridge assembly and jaw housing move together in a single direction to crimp a clip resulting in a perception of little or no motion by the jaws when the applicator is activated. Camming surfaces in the jaws are brought into contact with camming surfaces on the distal end of the stationary body of the applicator as the jaws are moved proximally.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip cartridge for automatically moving a plurality of pre-formed clips to a delivery station of the cartridge while reducing jamming of the clips in the cartridge is disclosed. Jamming is reduced both by using a constant force spring and employing flat surfaces on a portion of opposite sides of the clip located in the plane of the clip. Heart shaped clips having such flat surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sterile, surgical, unitary fastener having a generally circular shape and with its free ends disposed laterally with respect to each other. Methods and instruments for forming and placing such fasteners to join tissue together.

Abstract: Sterile, non-metallic bio-compatible hemostatic clips of absorbable and non-absorbable materials comprising two leg members joined with a resilient hinge. The distal ends of said leg members include latch means to lock the clip in a closed position. Each leg member has a vessel clamping inner face and the latch means includes means for preventing relative lateral movement between the vessel clamping inner faces when the clip is in a closed position.

Abstract: A sterile hemostatic clip made from polymeric materials having a pair of leg members connected by a resilient hinge. The distal ends of the leg members terminate in latch means. The outer surface of each leg member carries a suitable boss to allow the clip to be held and placed about a vessel to close the vessel utilizing a suitable instrument.

Abstract: Sterile, non-metallic, bio-compatible hemostatic clips of absorbable and non-absorbable materials comprising two leg members joined with a resilient hinge. The distal ends of said leg members include latch means to lock the clip in a closed position. Each leg member has a vessel clamping inner face and the latch means includes means for preventing relative lateral movement between the vessel clamping inner faces when the clip is in a closed position.

Abstract: A process for molding surgical clips having improved in vivo performance characteristics from polymers of p-dioxanone. The polymers are heated to a temperature above their melt temperature and the molten polymer injected into a mold maintained at a temperature of 35.degree. C. or less.

Abstract: A ligating clip is provided with first and second legs joined at their proximal ends by a hinge and terminating at their distal ends by a latch means for holding the clip latched closed when the legs are squeezed together. One of the legs is provided with a base defining guide means for engaging portions of an instrument that may be used to apply the clip. An instrument is provided to apply the clip and includes first and second handles mounted together for pivotal movement. Each handle extends beyond the pivot axis to form a clip closing jaw. The first handle includes a guideway for receiving a plurality of the open clips. A pusher member is provided within the first handle to push the clips to the jaw region. A spool is mounted for rotation in the first handle jaw and includes a forward flange and a rearward flange between which the front clip of the row of clips may be positioned.

Abstract: A ligating clip is provided with first and second legs joined at their proximal ends by a resilient hinge to define the rear end of the clip and spaced at their distal ends at the front of the clip with the legs having latch means at the distal ends for holding the clip closed in clamping engagement about tissue when the legs are squeezed together. The clip has a base extending along a portion of the first leg and the base terminates short of the distal end in a front face. Flanges are provided on a portion of the base and extend rearwardly from the front face and terminate short of the first leg proximal end. The flanges extend laterally outwardly beyond the sides of the first leg. The portion of the base that extends rearwardly from the flanges to the proximal end of the clip first leg has a width not greater than the width of the first leg.

Abstract: Sterile, non-metallic, bio-compatible hemostatic clips of absorbable and non-absorbable materials comprising two leg members joined with a resilient hinge. The distal ends of said leg members include latch means to lock the clip in a closed position. Each leg member has a vessel clamping inner face and the latch means includes means for preventing relative lateral movement between the vessel clamping inner faces when the clip is in a closed position.

Abstract: Plastic ligating clips of absorbable or nonabsorbable materials are formed by two legs joined with a resilient hinge. One leg terminates in a hook member which secures the other leg when the clip is closed. Each leg of the clip is provided with a raised cylindrical boss extending across its width near the distal end which secures the clip in the applier and allows the clip to rotate about its hinge during closure. The clip applier is a forceps-type instrument having channeled jaws especially adapted to receive and close the plastic clip.

Abstract: A one-piece, self-locking, molded plastic staple useful as a tissue fixation device in surgical procedures. The staple has opposed, pointed, L-shaped legs hinged to a horizontal bridging member having expanding cam surfaces on each end. Each leg has an extending cam follower which traverses the cam surface and engages the end of the bridging member when the staple is closed by rotating the legs 90 degrees. The staples may be extruded or molded of absorbable or nonabsorbable polymeric materials.

Abstract: Cartridge containing a plurality of non-metallic, bio-compatible hemostatic clips.

Abstract: A three-piece anastomotic coupling device for end-to-end anastomosis of tubular members consisting of two open bore cylindrical adaptors and an open bore cylindrical connector. Each end of a tubular member is passed through the axial bore of an adaptor and everted over the end thereof. The adaptors are then inserted into opposite ends of the connector until the everted ends of the vessel abut under light compression. Integral locking means are provided to secure the adaptors and tubular members of the connector piece.