Abstract: A surgical retractor is disclosed having a handle portion, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle portion and including an outer tube, a stabilizing member extending from a distal end of the outer tube and a pair of resilient bands pivotably connected to a distal end portion of the stabilizing member. An actuation mechanism is provided which is associated with the handle portion and the resilient bands for moving the bands between open and closed position. The surgical retractor further includes a sheath dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the stabilizing member and the bands. A surgical kit is also provided having a package configured to receive a surgical instrument, a base member for sealing the package, a surgical instrument having proximal and distal ends and having a mechanism for performing a surgical procedure located at the distal end, and a static barrier for enclosing the mechanism of the surgical retractor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of performing endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedures, including the steps of providing an endoscopic kit including an obturator for penetrating body tissue and at least two sleeve members adapted for use with the obturator. The method further includes the steps of inserting the obturator into a first sleeve member, penetrating a body wall of a patient with the obturator and the first sleeve member, and removing the obturator from the first sleeve member such that the first sleeve member remains in the body wall. The method further includes the steps of inserting the obturator into a second sleeve member, penetrating the body wall with the obturator and the second sleeve member, and removing the obturator from the second sleeve member such that the second sleeve member remains in the body wall.

Abstract: A retainer for a suture reel dispenser includes three panels interconnected to each other by partial double perforated lines. The retainer in a folded condition forms a pocket to receive the suture reel dispenser. One panel, namely, the reel panel includes at least one reel engaging tab which engages the receptacle of the reel dispenser to restrict movement of the reel dispenser relative to the retainer to thereby prevent accidental removal from the retainer.

Abstract: A moisture impervious package for surgical elements such as retainers having suture-needle assemblies positioned thereon. The package is provided with a top wall of moisture impervious material having an access opening die cut into the wall over which a closure flap secured by a peripheral heat seal to fully enclose the access opening. The top wall is then positioned over a bottom wall of moisture impervious material whereby a retainer having the suture needle assemblies is positioned therebetween. A peripheral heat seal then secures the top wall to the bottom wall to form the package.

Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method comprises tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature. In another embodiment, the suture is looped and knotted. The loop and/or knot is then heated under such conditions so as to reversibly stiffen the loop and/or knot. Such stiffening facilitates placement and securement of the suture loop during surgical procedures.

Abstract: A flexible package of low moisture permeability suitable for packaging moisture sensitive materials and devices such as bioabsorbable surgical staples and clips and instruments containing these devices includes a first panel fabricated from a substantially transparent polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer, the first panel having a measurable moisture vapor transmission rate and being bonded along its edges to the edges of a second panel fabricated from either (i) a transparent flexible polymeric laminate film possessing an inorganic moisture vapor transmission barrier layer which is the same as, or is different from, the film of the first panel; or (ii) an opaque, flexible metal foil laminate to form a contents-enclosing pouch therebetween, the pouch containing a quantity of desiccant and at least one sterile moisture-sensitive material or device, e.g., the aforesaid bioabsorbable staples, clips or instruments containing such staples or clips.

Abstract: An endoscopic or laparoscopic instrumentation kit including at least one obturator and at least two sleeves forming a trocar assembly. The kit may also include a catheter, an endoscopic surgical instrument, tissue-gripping sleeve members and attachment devices for the trocar sleeves. The kit is packaged in a vacuum-formed enclosure having raised walls which correspond in size and shape to the instruments packaged therein for retaining and displaying the instruments. A method for utilizing the kit of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method comprises tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature.

Abstract: A suture package for holding needle suture combinations individually on removable insert strips. The suture package includes three folding panels, two of which releasably hold the insert strips by means of tabs, and one of which is a cover panel. At least one needle-suture combination is mounted on each strip.

Abstract: A breather package for surgical elements such as sutures or suture-needle assemblies having a layer of fibrous material and a layer of plastic material forming a pocket therebetween. Longitudinal heat seals and transverse top and bottom seals are provided which form the package. The layer of fibrous material is provided with longitudinal strips of release agent material through which the longitudinal heat seals are formed. An apparatus for forming such a package is also disclosed.

Abstract: A breather package for surgical elements such as sutures or suture-needle assemblies having a layer of fibrous material and a layer of plastic material forming a pocket therebetween. Longitudinal heat seals and transverse top and bottom seals are provided which form the package. The layer of fibrous material is provided with longitudinal strips of release agent material through which the longitudinal heat seals are formed. An apparatus for forming such a package is also disclosed.

Abstract: A breather package for surgical elements such as sutures or suture-needle assemblies having a layer of fibrous material and a layer of plastic material forming a pocket therebetween. Longitudinal heat seals and transverse top and bottom seals are provided which form the package. The layer of fibrous material is provided with longitudinal strips of release agent material through which the longitudinal heat seals are formed. An apparatus for forming such a package is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method includes tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus includes a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature.

Abstract: An endoscopic or laparoscopic instrumentation kit including at least one obturator and at least two sleeves forming a trocar assembly. The kit may also include a catheter, an endoscopic surgical instrument, tissue-gripping sleeve members and attachment devices for the trocar sleeves. The kit is packaged in a vacuum-formed enclosure having raised walls which correspond in size and shape to the instruments packaged therein for retaining and displaying the instruments.

Abstract: A reel-type surgical suture dispenser features an extension member on the suture reel receptacle, there being positioned upon the extension member an upwardly projecting suture-retaining slotted member which facilitates dispensing of the suture and retaining thereon the terminal section of a length of suture withdrawn from the reel.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for sealing an inner pouch containing surgical instruments and/or elements in an outer breather pouch is provided. The method involves sequentially transporting a series of open inner pouches contained in an outer breather pouch to a viewing station wherein positioning data is obtained concerning the precise location of the inner pouch relative to a base position. Thereafter positioning data is transmitted to a sealing apparatus which adjustably positions a sealing means to consistently seal the inner pouch through the outer pouch material. The apparatus includes viewing mechanisms for determining the position of an inner pouch disposed in an outer pouch relative to a base position. Adjustable sealing apparatus communicates with the viewing mechanism to receive positioning information relating to the inner pouch. Based on this information the viewing apparatus is adjusted so as to be able to effect accurate sealing of the inner pouch disposed within the outer pouch.