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 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: A firing system for an applicator instrument adapted to dispense surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a firing rod disposed within the elongated shaft, a firing rod release engageable with the firing rod for preventing distal movement of the firing rod during at least one stage of a firing cycle, a trigger mounted to the housing, and a firing spring having a first end connected with the firing rod and a second end adapted for being sequentially coupled and decoupled from the trigger during the firing cycle. The firing cycle includes an initial stage in which the trigger is open and decoupled from the energy storing element, and the firing spring is at least partially compressed, and a piloting stage during which the firing rod release is disengaged from the firing rod for enabling distal movement of the firing rod.

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 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: A surgical morcellator includes a trocar body portion and a handle portion detachably mounted to the trocar body portion. The trocar body portion is relatively lightweight and may be used separately from the handle portion with other laparoscopic instruments while morcellation is not required during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An instrument for manipulating a vessel in a patient includes a cannula having a lumen for providing insufflation to create a working space in the tissue of a patient, and a first manipulator for manipulating a vessel located within the working space. The first manipulator is slidably movable within the cannula from a stowed position, where the first manipulator is substantially disposed within the cannula, to a forward position, where at least a portion of the first manipulator is disposed outside the cannula. The first manipulator is rotatable when in the forward position to an extended position.

Abstract: Impression devices are provided for making an impression of a desired feature. The impression devices include: a flexible bladder having a cavity formed therein, the flexible bladder being capable of conforming to the details of the desired feature; a rheological material, such as a magnetorheological fluid, disposed in the cavity of the flexible bladder; and an activator for applying an external stimulus to the rheological material to change the state of the rheological material and thereby capture an impression of the desired feature.

Abstract: An arthroscopic bone burr having an articulated sheath tube. The sheath tube may be articulated angularly and transversely relative to the housing by a ball-type joint, a flange-in-socket joint with sufficient play to permit displacement of the sheath tube, or by use of an elastomer. Anti-rotation means are provided to prevent the sheath tube from rotating relative to the housing.

Abstract: An expandable apparatus for use with a surgical probe having a temperature-controlled portion includes at least one thermally-conductive elongated extension member and means for thermally connecting and attaching the extension member to the surgical probe. The expandable apparatus further includes means for attaching and moving the extension member between a closed configuration in which the extension member is substantially parallel to the surgical probe and an open configuration in which the extension member extends radially outward from the surgical probe. A method of using the expandable apparatus to ablate tissue that line a body cavity is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle having a slot with a first track and a second track. A shaft extends from the handle and has a first internal lumen and an opening disposed at a distal end. An anvil is slidingly disposed in the opening between open and closed positions to capture tissue within the opening. A cutting blade slidingly disposed in the opening between a closed position and a forward position. An actuator is movably disposed in the handle and operatively connected to the anvil and the cutting blade, wherein when the actuator is moved a first predetermined distance in the first track the anvil moves between the open position and the closed position, and when the actuator is moved a second predetermined distance in the second track further the cutting blade moves between the closed position and the forward position.

Abstract: A device for incising a blood vessel includes a handle having a longitudinal axis, a stationary blade having an upper surface and extending from the distal end of the handle at an angle out of line with respect to the longitudinal axis, and a moving blade having a distal portion that includes a leading edge. The moving blade is slidable with respect to the stationary blade. The distal portion of the moving blade is substantially aligned with the stationary blade. The moving blade has a first position and is movable to a second position to cut tissue disposed between the upper surface of the stationary blade and the leading edge of the moving blade.

Abstract: A device for incising a hollow tissue structure includes at least one gripping portion, a stationary blade attached to the gripping portion, the stationary blade having a neck and a foot connected to the neck. The foot has a cutting edge along an upper surface. The device also includes a relatively blunt moving blade having a leading edge and being operatively movable with respect to the stationary blade between a first position and a second position to cut tissue disposed between the upper surface of the stationary blade and the leading edge of the moving blade.

Abstract: A system for harvesting a vessel in a patient includes a retractor for retracting tissue, that includes a port and a tool for manipulating tissue. The tool includes a docking feature for releasably connecting the tool to the port.

Abstract: A surgical device is provided including a shaft having a lumen and an opening disposed at a distal end, the shaft movable between a rear position and a forward position. An anvil is slidingly disposed in the opening between open and closed positions to capture tissue within the opening. The device also includes at least one electrode for applying RF energy to the tissue captured in the opening and an actuator operatively connected to the shaft for moving the shaft between the rear position and the forward position.

Abstract: A surgical system that includes a surgical device comprising a tube having a first lumen and an opening disposed at a distal end thereof, the tube movable between a rear position and a forward position. A retractor comprising a shaft, a working head at a distal end of the shaft defining a working space, and at least one manipulator disposed within the working space. The retractor is releasably engagable with the surgical device, such that, when the retractor is engaged with the surgical device and the shaft is in the rear position, the tube is disposed at a location proximal to the at least one manipulator, and when the retractor is engaged with the surgical device and the tube is in the forward position the tube is disposed beneath at least one manipulator.

Abstract: A surgical end effector includes an anvil movable between a first position and a second position, the anvil having a concave anvil surface, and a convex mating surface. The anvil clamps a tissue structure between the anvil surface and the mating surface when in the second position, and wherein the mating surface has a different radius of curvature than the anvil surface.

Abstract: An instrument for manipulating a vessel in a patient includes a cannula having a lumen for providing insufflation to create a working space in the tissue of a patient, and a first manipulator for manipulating a vessel located within the working space. The first manipulator is slidably movable within the cannula from a stowed position, where the first manipulator is substantially disposed within the cannula, to a forward position, where at least a portion of the first manipulator is disposed outside the cannula. The first manipulator is rotatable when in the forward position to an extended position.

Abstract: A retractor for manipulating a vessel in a patient includes a working head shaped to define a working space in the tissue of a patient and at least a first manipulator for manipulating a vessel located proximate the working space, the first manipulator having a retracted position and an extended position. The first manipulator if disposed at least partially within the working space when the first manipulator is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a surgical instrument includes a structure having at least a first surface and a second surface. A flexure mechanism is disposed at least partially within the structure, and has a shortened position and a lengthened position. A control rod is slidable within the structure. At least one spring is disposed between the flexure mechanism and the second surface. The flexure mechanism moves the control rod from a first position to a second position when the flexure mechanism moves from the shortened position to the lengthened position.