Abstract: A self attaching injection port has integral moveable fasteners which are moveable from a undeployed state to a deployed state engaging tissue. The fasteners may be disposed radially or tangentially, and rotated to pierce the fascia. The fasteners may be rigid or elastically deformable.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for the removal of biological material from a patient. The surgical instrument includes a specimen retrieval bag having a flexible wall and a closed end and an open end, wherein the open end is for receiving biological materials. The instrument includes a noose adjacent to the open end, wherein the noose constricts the open end to substantially close the open end. The bag includes a row of alternating flexible and stiff areas on its wall adjacent to and about a periphery of the open end, whereby when the open end is noosed, the flexible areas buckle before the stiff areas.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for retrieving tissue from a patient. The instrument includes an elongated support tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and an elongated inner rod slidably and coaxially disposed within the support tube. The rod has a removable pouch attached thereto, wherein the pouch is initially disposed within the support tube, and wherein distal movement of the rod ejects the pouch from the tube. The instrument further includes a mechanism engaging the rod such that after the rod has initially been moved distally, the mechanism prevents proximal motion of the rod. The mechanism disengaging upon total ejection of the bag from the tube, and thereafter allows proximal and distal movement of the rod.

Abstract: A suture cartridge assembly is disclosed. The assembly has a suture cartridge containing a slot for receiving a suture filament and a cartridge top for covering at least a portion of the filament. A grasping jaw faces the cartridge top, and it is movable from an open position spaced from the cartridge top to a closed position adjacent the cartridge top. The slot in the cartridge for receiving the filament facilitates the formation and placement of surgical knots made from the suture filament, particularly when knots are needed at remote surgical sites such as during minimally invasive surgery. The placement and deployment of the knot is further facilitated because the grasping jaw can grasp the filament or the tissue which is desired to be sutured when the jaw is moved from its open to closed positions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for forming a fully tied knot to fasten bodily tissue is disclosed. The instrument has a handle assembly for actuating first and second actuators. The first actuator remotely effects movement of a grasping jaw from an open position to a closed position relative to a suture cartridge contained in a cartridge carrier at the distal end of the instrument. Accordingly, the first actuator is capable of causing the manipulation of bodily tissue or suture filament contained in the suture cartridge. The second actuator is operatively connected to the suture filament in the suture cartridge. A portion of the suture filament is configured into a partially tied knot, and when the second actuator is actuated, it causes the proximal end of the filament to be pulled for converting the partially tied knot into a fully formed knot.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided which is insertable through an endoscopic tube to enable a surgeon to staple a hernia patch to tissue inside a body cavity. The endoscopic surgical stapler includes a staple cartridge pivotally mounted on the distal end of a support tube extending from a handle provided with an actuator mechanism for actuating a staple forming mechanism inside the staple cartridge to fasten staples to the tissue. The staple cartridge is adjustable to different angular orientations relative to the support tube. The staple actuator mechanism is operable to actuate the staple cartridge in any of the angular orientations. The support shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle to adjust the rotational orientation of the support shaft and the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the support shaft to adjust the rotational position of the staple cartridge relative to the support shaft.

Abstract: Various mechanisms are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation.

Abstract: Various mechanisms, and a method of operating them, are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by means of the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation.

Abstract: Various mechanisms are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided which is insertable through an endoscopic tube to enable a surgeon to staple a hernia patch to tissue inside a body cavity. The endoscopic surgical stapler includes a staple cartridge pivotally mounted on the distal end of a support tube extending from a handle provided with an actuator mechanism for actuating a staple forming mechanism inside the staple cartridge to fasten staples to the tissue. The staple cartridge is adjustable to different angular orientations relative to the support tube. The staple actuator mechanism is operable to actuate the staple cartridge in any of the angular orientations. The support shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle to adjust the rotational orientation of the support shaft and the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the support shaft to adjust the rotational position of the staple cartridge relative to the support shaft.