Abstract: A tissue biopsy sample is placed on a tissue trapping and supporting material that can withstand tissue preparation procedures and which can be cut with a microtome. The tissue is immobilized on the material and the material and the tissue are subjected to a process for replacing tissue fluids with wax, and then the tissue and the supporting material are sliced for mounting on slides using a microtome. Harvesting devices and containers using the filter material are disclosed. An automated process is also disclosed. One form of the invention has the tissue trapping and supporting material porous and another form of the invention includes a tissue supporting material that is not easily microtomed.

Abstract: An improved electro surgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located on one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for ensuring proper sequential usage of a surgical instrument is provided for an instrument utilizing a tissue treating energy, particularly a tissue heating energy, such as, for example, electrosurgical, ultrasonic, thermal, laser, infrared light, or other heating energies. One embodiment includes a cutting element to be used after heat treatment of tissue is completed to a desired degree. The instrument of the preferred embodiment includes a feedback monitor arranged to provide a signal indicating completion of tissue treatment. One embodiment includes an electro-mechanical locking mechanism responsive to the tissue treatment complete feedback signal and arranged to unlock when tissue treatment is complete.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue in the compression zone between first interfacing surface and second interfacing surfaces. The compression zone is formed by an insulator which forms a compression ridge in one of the interfacing surfaces and separates first and second electrically opposite electrodes. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed using RF along a cut line.

Abstract: A surgical stapler comprising at least one cam having a cam surface, an arrangement for actuating the cam for a longitudinal firing movement of the cam surface, a cartridge having a plurality of staple drive members driven by the longitudinal movement of the cam surface, and a plurality of surgical staples respectively associated with the staple drive members for being fired by the longitudinal movement of the cam surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the staple drive members include at least a pair of alternating first and second staple drive members, the first staple drive member including a laterally spaced pair of staple driving surfaces, the second staple drive member including a single staple driving surface. The first and second staple drive members are disposed such that the staple driving surfaces thereof are arranged in laterally spaced three rows.

Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument is provided for applying lateral lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines. The instrument includes a handle portion, an implement portion, a reciprocating section, a drive member and a movable actuator. The implement portion includes a staple cartridge and an anvil. The reciprocating section is adapted to move back and forth along an axis of the implement portion. The movable actuator is associated with the handle portion and is engaged with the drive member such that motion of the actuator causes the drive member to move back and forth between first and second drive positions separated by a first distance. A multiplier is further provided and is associated with the reciprocating section and the drive member for causing the reciprocating section to move back and forth between first and second reciprocating positions in response to movement of the drive member.

Abstract: An access assembly to provide access for surgical instruments during endoscopic surgical procedures and simultaneously seal the access opening when the instrument is withdrawn is disclosed. The assembly has a base, and an elastomeric sealing element and a tubular conduit. The base has a flange and a neck. The elastomeric sealing element has an inner elongated central channel which provides a passageway for surgical instruments into a body cavity. The sealing element also has an outer inflatable sleeve. When the space between the inner channel and outer sleeve is inflated, a distal balloon portion of the sleeve is inflated and the inner channel is compressed to constrict the inner channel passageway and therefore provide a seal.

Abstract: A centrifuge provides simplify access to the processing chamber. In one arrangement, the processing chamber separates into a bowl and spool element to receive a disposable processing bag. In another arrangement, the processing chamber pivots between an operating position and an access position to provide improved access. The centrifuge also employs readily accessible holders for releasably retaining tubing that, in use, conveys fluid to and from the chamber. Though greatly accessible, the centrifuge operates without the need of complicated rotating seals and expensive disposable components.

Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument is provided for applying lateral lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines. The instrument includes a handle portion, an implement portion, a reciprocating section, a drive member and a movable actuator. The implement portion includes a staple cartridge and an anvil. The reciprocating section is adapted to move back and forth along an axis of the implement portion. The movable actuator is associated with the handle portion and is engaged with the drive member such that motion of the actuator causes the drive member to move back and forth between first and second drive positions separated by a first distance. A multiplier is further provided and is associated with the reciprocating section and the drive member for causing the reciprocating section to move back and forth between first and second reciprocating positions in response to movement of the drive member.

Abstract: An improved surgical stapler is disclosed having a tissue gripping ridge on at least one of the tissue contacting surfaces. The tissue contact surfaces are preferably displayed on both the anvil and the cartridge surfaces of the surgical stapler. The tissue gripping ridges preferably have serrated surfaces which mesh when in contact with each other to hold the tissue.The preferred embodiment of this invention describes the tissue gripping ridges along the periphery of the anvil and cartridge tissue contact surfaces. Another embodiment describes the tissue gripping ridges adjacent to the longitudinal knife slot.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for a surgical stapler includes a staple drive member which is driven by longitudinal movement of a cam through the surgical stapler for firing at least one surgical staple. The staple drive member comprises a staple drive element having a staple driving surface in association with the surgical staple for angular orientation of the surgical staple, when applied, with respect to the direction of movement of the cam. The staple drive member further comprises a cam contact element having a cam contact surface for being engaged by the cam, and an arrangement for pivotally connecting the staple drive element to the cam contact element.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for a surgical stapler includes a staple drive member which is driven by longitudinal movement of a cam through the surgical stapler for firing at least one surgical staple. The staple drive member comprises a staple drive element having a staple driving surface in association with the surgical staple for angular orientation of the surgical staple, when applied, with respect to the direction of movement of the cam. The staple drive member further comprises a cam contact element having a cam contact surface for being engaged by the cam, and an arrangement for pivotally connecting the staple drive element to the cam contact element.

Abstract: A drawer-mounted centrifuge provides easy access for loading and unloading disposable processing elements. The centrifuge also includes an umbilicus holder that moves between an operating position and an out-of-the-way position as the drawer opens and closes.

Abstract: A centrifuge provides simplify access to the processing chamber. In one arrangement, the processing chamber separates into a bowl and spool element to receive a disposable processing bag. In another arrangement, the processing chamber pivots between an operating position and an access position to provide improved access. The centrifuge also employs readily accessible holders for releasably retaining tubing that, in use, conveys fluid to and from the chamber. Though greatly accessible, the centrifuge operates without the need of complicated rotating seals and expensive disposable components.

Abstract: A pivot pin bearing/seal especially adapted for supporting the rotor of a disposable filtration cartridge of a continuous-flow plasmapheresis blood separation system includes a lubricious plastic pivot pin injection molded with a recess at its end. The recess is surrounded by a sharp circular inside edge. A stainless steel eyelet, deep drawn from successive dies, is loosely inserted into the pin recess, a radial outer surface defined at the junction between the eyelet shank and the eyelet flange contacting the pin sharp edge. The eyelet rotates relative to the pin, the circular line path of rotational contact being defined by the smooth curved surface under the flange of the eyelet and the sharp inside edge surrounding the pin recess which quickly burnishes to a good rotational seal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for purging air from a tubing network finds particular utility as a component part of a blood constituent processing system. Collection and return needles of a disposable tubing network are initially contained within a common antiseptic enclosure. A purge fluid (e.g., saline solution) may then be introduced into the interior chamber of the enclosure via one of the needles and withdrawn from the interior chamber via the other of the needles. Air entrained in the tubing network may thus be trapped within the common enclosure itself and/or vented therefrom via a one-way valve and hydrophobic microbe filter and/or the entrained air pockets may be encouraged to flow to a separate suitable air trap location of the tubing network whereby the network is purged of air.

Abstract: A disposable biomedical rotating filtration system for processing fluids in a closed environment includes a rotor mounted for rotation on a pivot pin, a seal between the rotor and pivot pin, an external permanent magnet drive mechanism, and a star shaped drive element mounted on the rotor for rotating the rotor in response to a magnetic field induced by the permanent magnet of the drive mechanism. The drive element on the rotor is stamped from an inexpensive non-permanent ferromagnetic sheet metal and has a configuration and position in relation to the center of said magnetic field such that said drive element receives sufficient torque for driving said rotor and sufficient seal force is applied on the rotor to provide fluid tight seal between the rotating rotor and the seal. The pivot pin is molded from a hard plastic material such as a polyamide base resin having a low coefficient of friction and good lubriciousness.

Abstract: A disposable biomedical rotating filtration system for processing fluids in a closed environment includes a rotor mounted for rotation on a pivot pin, a seal between the rotor and pivot pin, an external permanent magnet drive mechanism, and a star shaped drive element mounted on the rotor for rotating the rotor in response to a magnetic field induced by the permanent magnet of the drive mechanism. The drive element on the rotor is stamped from an inexpensive non-permanent ferromagnetic sheet metal and has a configuration and position in relation to the center of said magnetic field such that said drive element receives sufficient torque for driving said rotor and sufficient seal force is applied on the rotor to provide fluid tight seal between the rotating rotor and the seal. The pivot pin is molded from a hard plastic material such as a polyamide base resin having a low coefficient of friction and good lubriciousness.

Abstract: In a disposable biomedical system for processing fluids in a closed environment such as a plasmapheresis system, comprising a plastic rotor mounted for rotation on a pivot pin bearing and a seal, particularly a silicone lubricated O-ring seal, between the rotor and pin, the improvement wherein said pivot pin is a molded pivot pin of a hard plastic material having a low coefficient of friction and lubriciousness, and which is capable of being irradiated by gamma radiation for sterilization and modification of the plastic material without degradation or loss of lubricious properties. The pivot pin bearing preferably comprises an injection molded polyamide based resin.