Abstract: An apparatus includes a first jaw (16) and a second jaw (618, 718, 900) that cooperate to clamp and staple tissue (90). The second jaw includes a jaw body (620, 720, 902) and a distal tip (619, 719, 906) pivotable relative to the jaw body between a first discrete and a second discrete position. First and second openings (663, 784, 785, 932, 934) are both defined by one of the distal tip or a structure (621, 920) located proximal to the distal tip. A projection (637, 781, 918) is defined by the other of the distal tip or the structure. The projection is positionable within the first opening (663, 785, 932) to releasably retain the distal tip in the first discrete position, and within the second opening (663, 784, 934) to releasably retain the distal tip in the second discrete position.

Abstract: A method of implanting a surgical mesh in tissue includes providing an implant having an insertion aid connected with an end, and providing an insertion device having a handle, an actuator, an elongated shaft, and a cutting element. The elongated shaft has an outer wall with an opening for receiving the insertion aid. The method includes inserting the insertion aid into the opening of the shaft for connecting the implant with the insertion device, forming a surgical opening in tissue, advancing the distal end of the elongated shaft and the implant connected with the insertion device through the surgical opening, and engaging the actuator for moving the cutting element from a first position to a second position for severing the insertion aid from the end of the implant.

Abstract: To enable a user to readily determine the gauge of the needle of a needle assembly that has a base and a needle protective housing pivotably attached thereto, the needle assembly is injection molded from a color coded molding material which color was preassigned to correspond to the gauge of the needle. As a result, both the base and the protective housing of the needle assembly have the same specific color, and reflect or provide an indication of the given gauge of the needle. The needle sheath that covers the needle prior to use may be made of a plastics material that may be clear, or have the same or a different color than that of the needle assembly. The gauge of the needle of a fixed needle syringe could also be ascertained by its color coded needle protective housing. Color coded markings that correspond to the gauge of the needle may also be printed onto the syringe barrel of the fixed needle syringe.

Abstract: An implant insertion system includes an implant, such as a surgical mesh, having a first end and a second end, a first insertion aid spaced from and connected with the first end of the implant via a first link, such as a first flexible filament, and a second insertion aid spaced from and connected with the second end of the implant via a second link, such as a second flexible filament. The system includes an insertion device for implanting the implant in tissue. The insertion device has a handle at a proximal end thereof, an actuator mounted on the handle, a shaft extending from a distal end of the handle toward a distal end of the insertion device, and a cutting element disposed within the shaft. The shaft has an outer wall including an opening that is adapted to receive the first and second insertion aids for connecting the implant with the insertion device.

Abstract: A method of implanting a surgical mesh in tissue includes providing an implant having an insertion aid connected with an end, and providing an insertion device having a handle, an actuator, an elongated shaft, and a cutting element. The elongated shaft has an outer wall with an opening for receiving the insertion aid. The method includes inserting the insertion aid into the opening of the shaft for connecting the implant with the insertion device, forming a surgical opening in tissue, advancing the distal end of the elongated shaft and the implant connected with the insertion device through the surgical opening, and engaging the actuator for moving the cutting element from a first position to a second position for severing the insertion aid from the end of the implant.

Abstract: An implant insertion system includes an implant, such as a surgical mesh, having a first end and a second end, a first insertion aid spaced from and connected with the first end of the implant via a first link, such as a first flexible filament, and a second insertion aid spaced from and connected with the second end of the implant via a second link, such as a second flexible filament. The system includes an insertion device for implanting the implant in tissue. The insertion device has a handle at a proximal end thereof, an actuator mounted on the handle, a shaft extending from a distal end of the handle toward a distal end of the insertion device, and a cutting element disposed within the shaft. The shaft has an outer wall including an opening that is adapted to receive the first and second insertion aids for connecting the implant with the insertion device.