Abstract: A surgical fastener applying comprising a cartridge section having a cartridge containing a plurality of fasteners, an anvil section having an anvil for receiving the fasteners when advanced from the cartridge, the cartridge and anvil sections clamping tissue therebetween. The first and second cam members are movable within the cartridge section to fire the fasteners. A cam member supporting member fixed within the cartridge section has an upper surface on which the cam members are slidable. The upper surface of the cam member supporting member has a first upper surface portion on a first plane and a second lower surface portion in a different substantially parallel second plane such that the first and second cam members slide in offset planes on the upper surface to fire the fasteners.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming and enlarging a percutaneous penetration are disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongate dilation member including a radially expandable member having a first cross-sectional area; and an elongate expansion member including a tubular element having a second cross-sectional area which is larger than the first cross-sectional area. The apparatus further includes an advancing apparatus having a first arm with a first engaging feature for engaging the handle of the dilation member; a second arm with a second engaging feature for engaging the handle of the expansion member; and an operation member; the first arm and the second arm being connected so that operation of the operation member approximates the first engaging feature and the second engaging feature together.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an insertion device including a shaft with a head supported on a distal end thereof. The shaft includes a proximal end with an engagement member that is configured to frictionally engage a distal end of a surgical fastening apparatus such that an interference fit is created therebetween to facilitate selective detachment of the insertion device from the surgical fastening apparatus. The head has an atraumatic configuration, and is dimensioned to be received in a body orifice.

Abstract: An anvil delivery system includes an anvil assembly, a flexible tube, and a fitting. The fitting is coupled to the flexible tube and includes a body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and a tip disposed on the distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the body is adapted to attach the body to the flexible tube. The tip is configured for insertion into a body lumen. The anvil delivery system may further include a plurality of protrusions disposed on the proximal end portion of the body of the fitting.

Abstract: An optical obturator apparatus includes an obturator sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal bore for receiving surgical instrumentation and a transparent window mounted to the obturator sleeve and being dimensioned and configured to pass through tissue. The transparent window is mounted for movement between a first position in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of the obturator sleeve and a second position radially displaced from the longitudinal axis to thereby expose the longitudinal bore of the obturator sleeve to permit passage of the surgical instrumentation.

Abstract: An optical obturator apparatus includes an obturator sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal bore for receiving surgical instrumentation and a transparent window mounted to the obturator sleeve and being dimensioned and configured to pass through tissue. The transparent window is mounted for movement between a first position in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of the obturator sleeve and a second position radially displaced from the longitudinal axis to thereby expose the longitudinal bore of the obturator sleeve to permit passage of the surgical instrumentation. The transparent window may include a cutting blade, or alternatively two cutting blades, adapted to penetrate tissue.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an obturator blade for a surgical obturator includes the steps of providing an obturator blade blank, pressing the blade blank to form intersecting surfaces adjacent one side, preferably, both sides, of the blade blank and forming a cutting edge adjacent an area of intersection of the intersecting surfaces to thereby form an obturator blade for incorporation in a surgical obturator. The step of pressing preferably includes the step of coining the blade blank with at least one coining die to, e.g., form at least one arcuate surface adjacent the one side of the blade blank. The at least one arcuate surface is one of the intersecting surfaces. More preferably, the step of coining includes forming arcuate intersecting surfaces adjacent the one side of the blade blank. The arcuate intersecting surfaces may be substantially concave intersecting surfaces.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device for sequentially applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue and simultaneously incising tissue is provided. The surgical stapling device is adapted to receive disposable loading units having staples in linear rows whose length can be between about 30 mm and 60 mm. The disposable loading unit includes a proximal body portion, a mounting assembly and a tool assembly. The mounting assembly is secured to the proximal end of the tool assembly and pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to the distal end of the proximal body portion. A support member or blow-out plate assembly is positioned on opposite sides of the pivot avis and extends between the proximal body portion and the mounting assembly. An axial drive assembly is slidably positioned between the support members and is translatable through the cartridge assembly to eject staples from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: There is provided a powered tacker device for use in installing multiple surgical fasteners through a prosthetic mesh in into tissue. The powered tacker device generally includes a handle assembly and a tacker assembly extending distally from handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a motor and self-contained power assembly to rotate the surgical fasteners into tissue. The handle assembly is provided with a drive assembly which allows for rotation, as well as distal longitudinal movement, of a surgical fastener relative to the powered tacker device. The tacker assembly includes an inner tube for containing the plurality of surgical fasteners and a driver which is movable out of alignment with the inner tube so as to install a single fastener at a time into tissue.

Abstract: Access system for forming and enlarging a percutaneous penetration are disclosed. The apparatus includes a radically expandable dilation assembly having a radically expandable sleeve body and a handle portion operatively coupled to the proximal end of the radically expandable sleeve body. The access system further includes an expansion assembly having an expansion member configured and adapted to radically expand the sleeve body upon insertion therein of the expandable member. The handle portion including a seal disposed across an aperture formed therein for creating a fluid-tight seal around a proximal end of the expansion member. The handle portion including a valve stem operatively and fluidly coupled thereto for delivering a fluid into the aperture of the handle portion. The expansion member including a coating for reducing the force required to slidably insert the expansion member into the sleeve body of the dilation assembly.

Abstract: A surgical access apparatus includes a liner base and an access housing for positioning outside the body. The liner base includes an inner member adapted for insertion through an opening within body tissue for positioning within the body; a sleeve member connected to the inner member and dimensioned to extend from the inner member through the opening within the body tissue, and a plurality of tensioning elements connected to the inner member and associated with the sleeve member to impart a tensioning effect on the sleeve member. The access housing includes a first element and a second element. The second element is operatively connected to the tensioning elements and adapted for rotational movement relative to the first member to cause the tensioning elements to displace the inner member toward the access housing and to cause the sleeve member to engage and retract tissue defining the opening within the body.

Abstract: A surgical access apparatus includes a liner base and an access housing for positioning outside the body. The liner base includes an inner member adapted for insertion through an opening within body tissue for positioning within the body; a sleeve member connected to the inner member and dimensioned to extend from the inner member through the opening within the body tissue, and a plurality of tensioning elements connected to the inner member and associated with the sleeve member to impart a tensioning effect on the sleeve member. The access housing includes a first element and a second element. The second element is operatively connected to the tensioning elements and adapted for rotational movement relative to the first member to cause the tensioning elements to displace the inner member toward the access housing and to cause the sleeve member to engage and retract tissue defining the opening within the body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing access to a body cavity without substantial loss of inflation gas therein. The apparatus includes an access assembly that has a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, an elastic portion interposed the proximal end and the distal end, and a lumen therethrough. An anchor sleeve is disposed coaxially over the tubular member and has a radially expandable region. The anchor sleeve is moveable between an axially elongated configuration and an axially shortened configuration and is biased toward the axially shortened configuration by a force exerted by the elastic portion of the tubular member. The axially shortened configuration corresponds to the anchor sleeve being in the fully deployed position. Methods for providing anchored access to a cavity within a patient are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand access device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a passageway therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of a surgeon's arm and a fabric seal mounted within the opening and being dimensioned to form a substantial sealing relation with the surgeon's arm. The fabric seal is elongated extending along the longitudinal axis and may define a general hour glass configuration. A pair of flexible bands may be mounted about the fabric seal. The flexible bands are adapted to engage an outer surface of the seal to bias the fabric seal to a closed position thereof.

Abstract: A surgical obturator includes an obturator member having a distal end and a proximal end, and a blade member adjacent the distal end of the obturator member. The blade member includes first and second surfaces intersecting to define a peripheral cutting edge. At least one, preferably, both, of the first and second surfaces is curved. At least one, preferably, both, of the first and second surfaces is generally concave. The peripheral cutting edge defined by the first and second intersecting surfaces is substantially linear and obliquely arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis of the obturator member. The peripheral cutting edge may define an angle ranging from about 18° to about 22° with respect to the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the peripheral cutting edge defined by the first and second surfaces is generally arcuate, and may be concave or convex in configuration.

Abstract: A hand access device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a passageway therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of a surgeon's arm and a fabric seal mounted within the opening and being dimensioned to form a substantial sealing relation with the surgeon's arm. The fabric seal is elongated extending along the longitudinal axis and may define a general hour glass configuration. A pair of flexible bands may be mounted about the fabric seal. The flexible bands are adapted to engage an outer surface of the seal to bias the fabric seal to a closed position thereof.

Abstract: A surgical access apparatus adaptable to permit the sealed insertion of either the surgeon's hand and/or surgical instruments during laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures includes an access member having a passageway therethrough and first and second seal members mounted across the passageway. The first seal includes an inner seal portion and an outer seal portion. The inner seal portion has an aperture for substantial sealed reception of an object inserted therein and is arranged about a first seal axis. The outer seal portion includes at least one expansible rib dimensioned to facilitate movement of the aperture to a displaced position radially displaced from the first seal axis upon insertion of the object therethrough. The second seal member also has an inner portion defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of the object and is arranged about a second seal axis radially displaced from the first seal axis.

Abstract: A surgical seal assembly for use with a surgical access device includes a seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passage dimensioned to permit passage of a surgical instrument through the seal housing, a gimbal mount disposed within the seal housing and having a gimbal seal member defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of the surgical instrument, and an interface seal disposed within the seal housing. The gimbal mount is adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis upon angulation of the surgical instrument whereby the gimbal seal member substantially maintains the sealed reception of the surgical instrument. The interface seal includes an interface seal member extending at least along the longitudinal axis and being in substantial contacting sealing relation with the gimbal mount. The interface seal member is adapted to maintain the sealing relation with the gimbal mount upon angular movement thereof.

Abstract: An optical obturator apparatus includes an obturator sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal bore for receiving surgical instrumentation and a transparent window mounted to the obturator sleeve and being dimensioned and configured to pass through tissue. The transparent window is mounted for movement between a first position in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of the obturator sleeve and a second position radially displaced from the longitudinal axis to thereby expose the longitudinal bore of the obturator sleeve to permit passage of the surgical instrumentation.

Abstract: A unique surgical system and method of use includes a seal assembly which is initially mountable about a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument with mounted seal assembly is thereafter positioned within a cannula assembly. The seal assembly forms a fluid tight seal within the interior of the cannula assembly while also forming a fluid tight seal about the surgical instrument. The seal assembly and the cannula assembly cooperate to permit angulation of the surgical instrument. A magnetic coupling assists in retaining the seal assembly within the cannula assembly.