Abstract: Apparatus and methods for repairing damaged tendons or ligaments. Various repair apparatus include an elongate tensile member and a pair of anchor assemblies connected for movement along the tensile member on either side of a repair site, such as a tear or laceration. The anchor assemblies or structures may take many forms, and may include barbed, helical, and crimp-type anchors. In the preferred embodiments, at least one anchor structure is movable along the elongate tensile member to assist with adjusting a tendon segment to an appropriate repair position and the anchor structure or structures are then lockable onto the elongate tensile member to assist with affixing the tendon at the repair position. Tendon and/or ligament-to-bone repair apparatus and methods employ similar concepts.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for repairing damaged tendons or ligaments. Various repair apparatus include an elongate tensile member and a pair of anchor assemblies connected for movement along the tensile member on either side of a repair site, such as a tear or laceration. The anchor assemblies or structures may take many forms, and may include barbed, helical, and crimp-type anchors. In the preferred embodiments, at least one anchor structure is movable along the elongate tensile member to assist with adjusting a tendon segment to an appropriate repair position and the anchor structure or structures are then lockable onto the elongate tensile member to assist with affixing the tendon at the repair position. Tendon and/or ligament-to-bone repair apparatus and methods employ similar concepts.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for repairing damaged tendons or ligaments. Various repair apparatus include an elongate tensile member and a pair of anchor assemblies connected for movement along the tensile member on either side of a repair site, such as a tear or laceration. The anchor assemblies or structures may take many forms, and may include barbed, helical, and crimp-type anchors. In the preferred embodiments, at least one anchor structure is movable along the elongate tensile member to assist with adjusting a tendon segment to an appropriate repair position and the anchor structure or structures are then lockable onto the elongate tensile member to assist with affixing the tendon at the repair position. Tendon and/or ligament-to-bone repair apparatus and methods employ similar concepts.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for repairing damaged tendons or ligaments. Various repair apparatus include an elongate tensile member and a pair of anchor assemblies connected for movement along the tensile member on either side of a repair site, such as a tear or laceration. The anchor assemblies or structures may take many forms, and may include barbed, helical, and crimp-type anchors. In the preferred embodiments, at least one anchor structure is movable along the elongate tensile member to assist with adjusting a tendon segment to an appropriate repair position and the anchor structure or structures are then lockable onto the elongate tensile member to assist with affixing the tendon at the repair position. Tendon and/or ligament-to-bone repair apparatus and methods employ similar concepts.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ligating instrument and end effector assemblies for use in laparoscopic tubal ligation procedures. The ligating instrument includes an integral grasping assembly and an integral end effector actuator and is configured to perform a ligating procedure by operation of a single hand of a user. The ligating instrument includes an integral grasper assembly for grasping a tubular tissue section and removable end effector or suture deployment mechanism for holding open a suture to be positioned about the tubular section. The grasper is configured to draw the tubular section into the open loop of suture material and cinch the suture material about the tubular tissue section. A rotator knob may be provided to orient grasper members associated with the grasper assembly relative to the tissue section.

Abstract: A surgical loop delivery device is disclosed in parent disclosures Ser. No. 09/071,811 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,217. This device is improved to permit tissue targets larger than the device to be ligated while also maintaining a clear sight path between the surgeon and the target. The surgical loop is also stable during the procedure.

Abstract: A surgical loop delivery device is disclosed in parent disclosures Ser. No. 09/071,811 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,217. This device is improved to permit tissue targets larger than the device to be ligated while also maintaining a clear sight path between the surgeon and the target. The surgical loop is also stable during the procedure.

Abstract: A device for delivering a loop of suture material for use in endoscopic ligation is described. The device has a pair of coaxial slidable cylindrical tubes. The outer tube contains a hook for snaring the free end of the suture material; the inner tube contains a groove for retaining the suture loop circumferentially about the bore of the inner tube and also a hole beyond which the slip knot cannot move proximally. When the inner tube is pushed in a distal direction relative to the outer tube, the loop is pulled off the groove and is tightened. In use a grasping tool is inserted through the bore of the inner tube and is used to grasp a piece of tissue to be ligated. The device is then deployed, ligating the tissue piece.

Abstract: A device for insufflating a body cavity preparatory to and during an intracavity procedure is provided that includes a generally cylindrical body anchorable to skin surrounding an incision into the body cavity. An elevation member permits the lifting of the device, along with the attached skin, in a proximal direction, allowing mechanical insufflation. The bore is sealable in order to maintain insufflation during insertion of a surgical implement. The method includes the steps of inserting the device into the incision, anchoring the cylindrical body to the skin, elevating the cylindrical body in a proximal direction, thereby mechanically insufflating the body cavity, and sealing the bore to admit and closely surround the surgical implement for maintaining insufflation. Then a surgical implement can be inserted into the bore of the device and the surgical procedure performed.

Abstract: A device for the surgical suturing of narrow incisions that penetrate through a plurality of tissue layers includes a needle having the shape of an elongated "J." The device further includes a slidable locking member that serves the dual purpose of blocking the tip of the suture needle and also of preventing gas leakage out of the body cavity during the suturing procedure in order to maintain pneumoperitoneum.

Abstract: A device for delivering a loop of suture material for use in endoscopic ligation is described. The device has a pair of coaxial slidable cylindrical tubes. The outer tube contains a hook for snaring the free end of the suture material; the inner tube contains a groove for retaining the suture loop circumferentially about the bore of the inner tube and also a hole beyond which the slip knot cannot move proximally. When the inner tube is pushed in a distal direction relative to the outer tube, the loop is pulled off the groove and is tightened. In use a grasping tool is inserted through the bore of the inner tube and is used to grasp a piece of tissue to be ligated. The device is then deployed, ligating the tissue piece.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus for closing an incision penetrating a plurality of layers of tissue includes a tubular body in which a "J"-shaped suture needle resides. In this position the tubular body may be inserted into the incision without damaging tissue. Once the tubular body has been inserted into the incision, the pointed end and suture gate of the suture needle are deployable out of a slot through the side of the tubular body to permit deep suturing of tissue layers without also suturing surface tissue layers. Several embodiments are presented for deploying the needle, including one in which the straight section of the suture needle having the pointed tip is biased to flare away from the other straight section of the suture needle, and the deploying is accomplished by moving the pointed tip section adjacent the tubular body slot and permitting the bias to cause that section to flare out of the slot.

Abstract: A tapered cannula is provided for maintaining gas pressure within a body cavity during an intracavity procedure. The cannula is long enough to penetrate into the body cavity and has an exterior diameter tapering downward from the proximal end to the distal end. In use the cannula is inserted sufficiently far that the cannula creates a leakproof seal with incision. Another device is provided that serves a similar purpose, except that it does not extend into the body cavity. This device has the added feature of providing a platform that is anchorable to surrounding skin.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus for closing an incision penetrating a plurality of layers of tissue includes a tubular body in which a "J"-shaped suture needle resides. In this position the tubular body may be inserted into the incision without damaging tissue. Once the tubular body has been inserted into the incision, the pointed end and suture gate of the suture needle are deployable out of a slot through the side of the tubular body to permit deep suturing of tissue layers without also suturing surface tissue layers. Several embodiments are presented for deploying the needle, including one in which the straight section of the suture needle having the pointed tip is biased to flare away from the other straight section of the suture needle, and the deploying is accomplished by moving the pointed tip section adjacent the tubular body slot and permitting the bias to cause that section to flare out of the slot.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for the surgical suturing of narrow incisions that penetrate through a plurality of tissue layers. An elongated, "J"-shaped needle, through which suture material is threaded, is inserted into the wound, bringing the tip through one or more layers of tissue on one side of the wound and pulling suture material up through the wound. After repeating these steps on the other side of the wound, the suture material is knotted. A slidable locking member serves the dual purpose of covering the tip of the suture needle when not in use and also of maintaining pneumoperitoneum.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for the surgical suturing of narrow incisions that penetrate through a plurality of tissue layers. The device comprises a hollow needle through which suture material is threaded, the needle having the shape of an elongated "J." The method entails inserting the needle into the wound, bringing the tip through one or more layers of tissue, and pulling suture material up through the wound; these steps are repeated for the other side of the wound to form a single stitch, which may then be knotted. In this way one or more subcutaneous layers of tissue may be sutured without involving the skin, which may be sutured using conventional means to complete the closure.