Abstract: A wound closure device includes a shaft, a sleeve, a suture, and a cartridge. The sleeve is disposed about the shaft and defines first and second sleeve arms movable between a retracted position, wherein the sleeve arms extend along the shaft, and a deployed position, wherein the sleeve arms extend outwardly from the shaft. The cartridge includes a base and first and second cartridge arms. The base is configured for releasable coupling with the shaft and defining a pocket configured to retain an intermediate portion of the suture. The first and second cartridge arms are configured for positioning adjacent the respective first and second sleeve arms and are configured to move in conjunction with the respective first and second sleeve arms between the retracted and deployed positions. The first and second cartridge arms are configured to retain first and second ends of the suture, respectively.

Abstract: A wound closure system includes a device, a sleeve, and a needle assembly. The device includes a shaft and one or more arms movable relative to the shaft between a retracted position and a deployed position. The sleeve is removably positionable about the shaft and is slidable about the shaft to retain tissue between the distal end of the sleeve and the arms when the arms are in the deployed position. The needle assembly includes a base one or more needles insertable through respective needle lumens of the sleeve. The base defines a central aperture for removably positioning the base about the shaft. The base is slidable relative to the shaft and sleeve between a proximal position, wherein the needles are disposed within respective needle lumens, and a distal position, wherein the needles extend from respective needle lumens towards respective arms.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, a body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion including an anvil retainer and a shell assembly, the anvil retainer being movable in relation to the shell assembly between unapproximated and approximated positions, a tube surrounding a portion of the anvil retainer, wherein the anvil retainer includes a distal annular protrusion for releasably engaging an anvil assembly and wherein the anvil assembly includes a center rod.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a housing and an end effector secured to the housing. The housing supports a knife assembly including a knife. The end effector has first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members define a knife channel. The first jaw member defines fastener slots and the second jaw member defines fastener pockets. One or more of the knife channel, the fastener slots, and the fastener pockets includes lateral recesses. Fasteners are disposed in the fastener slots and formed by the fastener pockets. One or more surgical buttresses have a body that overlies one or both of the fastener slots and the fastener pockets. Portions of the body of the one or more surgical buttresses are disposed within the lateral recesses to secure the one or more surgical buttresses to one or both of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, a body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion including an anvil retainer and a shell assembly, the anvil retainer being movable in relation to the shell assembly between unapproximated and approximated positions, a tube surrounding a portion of the anvil retainer, wherein the anvil retainer includes a distal annular protrusion for releasably engaging an anvil assembly and wherein the anvil assembly includes a center rod.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device and method for joining tissue portions are provided including a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly supported on a distal end of the elongate body, and an anvil assembly at a distal end of the surgical stapling device. The anvil assembly includes a shaft for removably coupling the anvil assembly to the cartridge assembly and a head pivotally mounted to a distal end of the shaft. A sleeve member is slidably disposed about the shaft of the anvil assembly and is transitionable between a first position, where the sleeve member engages the head of the anvil assembly to secure the head in an un-tilted condition, and a second position, where the sleeve member is disengaged from the head of the anvil assembly to allow the head to tilt.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a housing and an end effector secured to the housing. The housing supports a knife assembly including a knife. The end effector has first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members define a knife channel. The first jaw member defines fastener slots and the second jaw member defines fastener pockets. One or more of the knife channel, the fastener slots, and the fastener pockets includes lateral recesses. Fasteners are disposed in the fastener slots and formed by the fastener pockets. One or more surgical buttresses have a body that overlies one or both of the fastener slots and the fastener pockets. Portions of the body of the one or more surgical buttresses are disposed within the lateral recesses to secure the one or more surgical buttresses to one or both of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

Abstract: A stapling apparatus includes a body portion, a staple cartridge disposed within the body portion, and a buttress removably attached to the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of staple receiving slots defined in a tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge, with each staple receiving slot of the plurality of staple receiving slots including a staple disposed therein. The buttress includes a plurality of tabs at an outer edge of the buttress. The buttress is releasably retained on the staple cartridge by at least one tab of the plurality of tabs extending into a staple receiving slot of the plurality of staple receiving slots defined in the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A stapling apparatus has a buttress material removably attached to a staple cartridge of the stapling apparatus by at least one anchor releasable retained within a notch defined in the staple cartridge. The stapling apparatus has a staple pusher including a plurality of fingers for ejecting staples out of the staple cartridge, and at least one of the fingers includes a protrusion for pushing the at least one anchor out from the notch and releasing the buttress material.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device and method for joining tissue portions are provided including a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly supported on a distal end of the elongate body, and an anvil assembly at a distal end of the surgical stapling device. The anvil assembly includes a shaft for removably coupling the anvil assembly to the cartridge assembly and a head pivotally mounted to a distal end of the shaft. A sleeve member is slidably disposed about the shaft of the anvil assembly and is transitionable between a first position, where the sleeve member engages the head of the anvil assembly to secure the head in an un-tilted condition, and a second position, where the sleeve member is disengaged from the head of the anvil assembly to allow the head to tilt.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device and method for joining tissue portions are provided including a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly supported on a distal end of the elongate body, and an anvil assembly at a distal end of the surgical stapling device. The anvil assembly includes a shaft for removably coupling the anvil assembly to the cartridge assembly and a head pivotally mounted to a distal end of the shaft. A sleeve member is slidably disposed about the shaft of the anvil assembly and is transitionable between a first position, where the sleeve member engages the head of the anvil assembly to secure the head in an un-tilted condition, and a second position, where the sleeve member is disengaged from the head of the anvil assembly to allow the head to tilt.

Abstract: A wound closure system includes a suture member and a suture grasper. The suture member includes a suture and a retention member engaged to an end of the suture. The retention member is at least partially flexible and defines a central opening. The suture grasper includes a needle defining a distal portion configured for insertion through the central opening of the retention member to retrieve the retention member from an internal surgical site. The distal portion of the needle defines a distally-facing feature configured to at least partially flex the retention member upon insertion of the distal portion into the central opening to permit passage of the distal portion therethrough and a proximally-facing feature configured to inhibit proximal withdrawal of the distal portion through the central opening of the retention member.

Abstract: A wound closure device includes a shaft, a sleeve, a suture, and a cartridge. The sleeve is disposed about the shaft and defines first and second sleeve arms movable between a retracted position, wherein the sleeve arms extend along the shaft, and a deployed position, wherein the sleeve arms extend outwardly from the shaft. The cartridge includes a base and first and second cartridge arms. The base is configured for releasable coupling with the shaft and defining a pocket configured to retain an intermediate portion of the suture. The first and second cartridge arms are configured for positioning adjacent the respective first and second sleeve arms and are configured to move in conjunction with the respective first and second sleeve arms between the retracted and deployed positions. The first and second cartridge arms are configured to retain first and second ends of the suture, respectively.

Abstract: A wound closure device includes a shaft and a tubular member disposed about the shaft. A plurality of arms are coupled to the shaft in a distal region of the shaft. A plunger is slidably disposed within the shaft and coupled to the plurality of arms. The plunger is selectively translatable relative to the shaft for moving the plurality of arms between a retracted position and a deployed position. A plurality of needles is disposed within needle lumens defined within the tubular member. An actuator sleeve is slidably disposed about the tubular member and coupled to the plurality of needles. The actuator sleeve is translatable between an un-actuated position, wherein the distal end of each needle is disposed within its respective needle lumen, and an actuated position, wherein the distal end of each needle extends distally from its respective needle lumen into a respective one of the plurality of arms.

Abstract: A system includes a wound closure device having a shaft, proximal and distal arms coupled to the shaft, and one or more linkages coupling the proximal and distal aims. The arms are pivotable relative to the shaft between a linear position, wherein the arms and shaft are linearly aligned, a first pivoted position, wherein the proximal arm is pivoted in a first direction to pivot the distal arm in a second, opposite direction, and a second pivoted position, wherein the proximal arm is pivoted in the second direction to pivot the distal arm in the first direction. A suture including a first portion disposed about a first surface of the distal arm and a second portion disposed about a second surface of the distal aim is also provided.

Abstract: A suture grasper for retrieving a suture from an internal surgical site includes an inner shaft defining a tissue-penetrating tip, an intermediate shaft disposed about the inner shaft, and an outer shaft disposed about the intermediate shaft. The intermediate shaft defines a plurality of spring fingers movable between a spread position, wherein the spring fingers extend radially outwardly from the inner shaft, and a compressed position, wherein the spring fingers are approximated about the inner shaft. The outer shaft is selectively translatable relative to the inner shaft and the intermediate shaft for moving the spring fingers between the spread position and the compressed position.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a cannula and a guide member. The cannula is configured for positioning within an opening in tissue. The cannula includes a base and an elongated tubular member extending distally from the base. The elongated tubular member includes an annular wall defining a longitudinal passageway and defines at least one slot extending through the annular wall. The guide member includes a guide housing configured for releasably engaging the guide member with the cannula and an elongated guide shaft configured for insertion into the elongated tubular member of the cannula. The guide member defines at least one lumen extending therethrough and is configured such that, upon engagement of the guide member with the cannula, the at least one lumen is aligned with the at least one slot of the cannula to define a guide passageway through the guide member and cannula.

Abstract: A method of surgery includes positioning a cannula within an opening in tissue and inserting a guide member into the cannula. The cannula includes an elongated portion having a base and an elongated tubular member extending distally from the base. The elongated tubular member includes an annular wall defining a longitudinal passageway. At least one slot extends through the annular wall and is disposed in communication with the longitudinal passageway. The guide member includes a guide housing and an elongated guide shaft. The guide member defines at least one lumen extending therethrough. The method further includes releasably engaging the guide housing with the base. Upon engagement of the guide housing with the base, the at least one lumen is aligned with the at least one slot to define a guide passageway through the guide member and cannula.

Abstract: A suture passer includes a handle, an elongated sleeve defining a distal end, an inner shaft slidably disposed within the elongated sleeve, and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the inner shaft. The end effector assembly includes first and second arms, at least one which is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for retaining a portion of a suture therebetween. The inner shaft and elongated sleeve are relatively movable between a first condition, wherein the first and second arms are disposed in the approximated position and the distal end of the elongated sleeve is exposed, a second condition, wherein the first and second arms are disposed in the approximated position and the distal end of the elongated sleeve is shielded, and a third condition, wherein the first and second arms are disposed in the spaced-apart position.

Abstract: A guide member configured for guiding a suture passer through a cannula and tissue surrounding the cannula to facilitate closure of an opening in tissue. The guide member includes a guide housing and an elongated guide shaft. The guide housing is configured for releasably engaging the guide member with the cannula and defines an entry aperture. The elongated guide shaft extends distally from the guide housing and defines an annular exterior surface. An exit aperture is defined through the annular exterior surface. The guide member defines a lumen extending from the entry aperture, through the guide housing and the elongated guide shaft, to the exit aperture. The entry aperture, lumen, and exit aperture cooperating to define a passageway extending through the guide member.