Abstract: A suture fastening device which includes a first member having a base and first and second legs projecting in a lengthwise direction along the base. The legs are parallel to each other and are resiliently biased toward a spaced apart position in relation to each other. A second member is provided and includes an aperture for receiving the first and second legs of the first member. The first and second members are connected by a hinge portion. A suture is held in serpentine fashion by positioning the suture transversely across both legs and locking the first member to the second member by forcing the legs through the aperture.

Abstract: A self-contained powered surgical apparatus is provided which includes an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and housing a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed within a feed track, an anvil positioned at a distal end of the elongate body adjacent a terminal end of the feed path for forming surgical fasteners, a fastener pusher mounted for longitudinal movement within the elongate body to individually urge surgical fasteners toward the anvil, a barrel cam assembly disposed within the elongate body for effectuating reciprocatory longitudinal movement of the fastener pusher, a motor assembly disposed within the elongate body for driving the barrel cam assembly, and a power source disposed within the elongate body for energizing the motor assembly.

Abstract: An endoscopic morcellator includes a tubular portion with an elongated auger rotatably positioned within its bore. An aperture near the distal end of the tubular portion permits access for body tissue to contact the auger. The auger is driven by a reversible motor which is powered by a battery pack. A container collects morcellized tissue which is aspirated by means of a suction tube.

Abstract: A piercing tip for penetrating body tissue is provided which includes a conical body and a triangular cutting blade positioned within a slot formed in the conical body. The cutting blade includes a proximal mounting flange which extends outwardly from the conical body and is configured for mounting at the distal end of an obturator of a trocar assembly.

Abstract: A piercing tip for penetrating body tissue is provided which includes a conical body and a triangular cutting blade positioned within a slot formed in the conical body. The piercing tip is particularly adapted for mounting at the distal end of an obturator and for use as part of a trocar assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus has a handle assembly and an elongated body which extends distally from the handle assembly. A fastener applying assembly is operatively associated with a distal end of the elongated body and includes a cartridge housing a plurality of staples and an anvil movable between an open position and a closed position. An actuation assembly is configured to translate through the fastener applying assembly to effect progressive closure of the anvil and concomitantly effect sequential ejection of staples from the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery, preferably with surgical mesh. The apparatus includes a staple storage cartridge supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end of the endoscopic section. An elongated pusher system extends from the frame to the endoscopic section and individually advances the staples distally. A pair of legs project distally from the pusher plate to engage the staple during closure to prevent unwanted roll or deformation of the staple. A trigger system actuates the pusher. An anvil structure having rounded anvil legs to match the configuration of the staples provides for individually closing each staple to encompass at least a portion of the surgical mesh and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the mesh to the body tissue. The staple storage cartridge may be pivoted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic section from 0.degree. to about 20.degree., 45.degree.

Abstract: A self-contained powered surgical clip applier is provided which includes an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and housing a plurality of surgical clips. The powered clip applier further includes a jaw assembly operatively associated with a distal end of the elongate body and actuable to move between an open position and a closed position, a motor assembly disposed within the elongate body, a power supply positioned within the elongate body for energizing the motor assembly, a clip pusher configured to individually advance surgical clips into the jaw assembly, and an actuation channel driven by the motor assembly and configured to translate through the elongate body to drive the clip pusher and actuate the jaw assembly.

Abstract: An umbilical cord clip and applicator is disclosed for clamping a maternal side of an umbilical cord, applying an umbilical cord clip to a fetal side of the umbilical cord and severing the cord intermediate the clamped maternal and fetal sides of the umbilical cord. The applicator includes a first arm having a first clamping surface, a second arm movably affixed to the first arm and having a second clamping surface and structure associated with at least one the first and second arms for mounting an umbilical cord clip thereon. The applicator also includes a recessed severing mechanism operatively associated with the first and second arms and disposed intermediate the first and second clamping surfaces and the mounting structure. The severing mechanism is automatically actuable upon closure of the first and second arms about an umbilical cord to sever the cord at a location between the first and second clamping surfaces and the clip.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a suture clip to a suture includes (a) an endoscopic portion having at least one slot to position a suture transversely to the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic portion, a camming surface for closing a clip onto a suture positioned within the suture receiving means, a pusher for advancing a suture clip into the camming surface, and a tubular housing; and (b) a handle portion including a handle portion housing, and an actuation mechanism for actuating the pusher.

Abstract: A two-part fastener for use in septoplasty procedures includes a fastener portion having a base with shaft extending perpendicularly therefrom and a retainer having an aperture for engagement with the shaft. The fastener may include indexing means for positioning the retainer in engagement with the fastener portion at discrete spaced apart locations along the shaft. In another embodiment the shaft is slightly larger in diameter than the aperture in the retainer to effect a frictional engagement. Applicator instruments are also provided. In one embodiment the applicator includes two elongated members pivotally connected in the middle. In another embodiment the applicator includes an elongated body which holds a plurality of septoplasty fasteners. A pivotally connected lower jaw holds a supply of retainers. A pusher member drives the fastener through a curved firing chamber, through body tissue, and into engagement with the retainer.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for placing fasteners and/or a reinforcement material in tissue is provided. Structure is provided for advancing the fasteners distally by an actuating handle means working in concert with a pusher means. The fasteners exit the fastener housing at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the device to facilitate visualization and placement at the surgical site. A unique fastener may be formed in which the legs are in a substantially overlapping longitudinally-spaced relation.

Abstract: Valve assembly for sealed reception of an elongated object, which includes a valve body defining at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of the elongated object, a valve member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture in general alignment with the opening of the valve body, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the object into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently engage the outer surface of the object in a substantially fluid fight manner and a manually rotatable control mechanism associated with the valve member to selectively open and close the aperture to permit entry of the object therethrough.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for attaching two portions of cutaneous body tissue includes a pair of opposed elongated members having jaws which have tissue gripping members thereon at one end and which are movable toward each other to a closed position to engage two body tissue portions positioned within the members to move the body tissue portions into close approximation. Manually gripping systems of several alternative configurations are provided to actuate a mechanical transmission system to close the jaws. In a preferred embodiment, a fork is movable from a first position to a second position by manually operable devices to move the jaws toward each other. A pair of cam faces is located adjacent the opposite ends of the jaws. As the fork moves to its second position, the tines of the fork engage against the cam faces to move the opposed jaws to their closed position.

Abstract: A safety device is provided for use with endoscopic instrumentation, particularly and endoscopic clip applier. The device includes a collar which is adapted to be disposed on the elongated shaft of the endoscopic instrument. A release means is provided as part of the trocar guide sleeve which is adapted to contact the collar and release it from engagement with the elongated shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue along an arcuate path. Each surgical fastener may be in the form of a two-part fastener having a pronged fastener portion for piercing body tissue, and an apertured retainer dimensioned and configured for engaged reception of the pronged fastener portion in interference fit therewith for gripping the body tissue therebetween. Alternatively, the fasteners may be in the form of deformable staples. The apparatus preferably includes arcuately shaped means for holding a plurality of the fastener portions in generally aligned relation, correspondingly arcuately shaped means spaced from the fastener portion holding means for gripping body tissue therebetween and for releasably holding a plurality of the retainers in generally aligned relation and positioned opposite the fasteners when the body tissue is positioned therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously applying to body tissue at least one surgical suture in conjunction with a plurality of surgical fasteners arranged end to end in rows. The apparatus preferably includes a knife for making an incision in the body tissue sealed in each side by at least one row of fasteners. The fasteners are two-part fasteners fabricated from bioabsorbable material. The incision is closed by pulling the ends of the suture(s).

Abstract: An apparatus and surgical staple are disclosed for endoscope application of the surgical staples for attaching surgical mesh to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The surgical staple is formed of a length of wire having a central portion having a middle portion and end portions extending therefrom in a first direction. Wire leg members extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the middle portion. Bridge portions are provided to connect each leg member to the end portions of the central portion. The bridge portions each have a straight portion substantially parallel to the middle portion and extending away from the end portions of the central portion. A first generally arcuate portion connected to the straight portions has a concave surface portion facing in a direction generally inwardly toward the opposing leg member.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying at least one row of two-part surgical fasteners to body tissue, each surgical fastener having a pronged fastener portion for piercing body tissue, and an aperture retainer dimensioned and configured for engaged reception of the pronged fastener portion in interference fit therewith for gripping the body tissue therebetween. The apparatus includes means for holding a plurality of the fastener portions in generally aligned relation, means spaced from the fastener portion holding means for gripping body tissue therebetween and for releasably holding a plurality of the retainers in generally aligned relation and positioned opposite the fasteners when the body tissue is positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A tissue gripping device for use with a cannula. The device includes a housing member which has a generally cylindrical shape and is provided with a plurality of slots about its circumference. A cannula locking collet and collar are provided along with a tissue gripping member so that the entire device fits over a cannula and is secured thereto. Once the cannula is positioned in the body wall of a patient, the tissue gripping member is moved towards the housing member so that a plurality of finger-like expansion members protrude through the slots in the housing member to anchor the tissue gripping device and the cannula in place for a surgical procedure.