Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical instrument to perform tubular ligation of the Fallopian tube includes a handle grip to be held by the surgeon. A finger grip is used to slide a body member on a rod fixed to the handle and to squeeze a staple onto the Fallopian tube. A forceps, operated by a button on the handle, pulls up the Fallopian tube and holds a segment of the tube, as a biopsy sample, after it has been severed.

Abstract: A ligating band dispenser has a plurality of elastic ligating bands at least one of which is supported on each of a series of partially nested cylinders. Inner and intermediate cylinders comprise axially sliding cylinders for dispensing the ligating bands. An outer cylinder,which may be attached to the distal end of an elongated introducer, surrounds at least the proximal portion of the intermediate cylinder and is adapted to receive the sliding cylinders slide into its distal end. A trip wire is connected to the inner cylinder and extends proximally therefrom through the elongated introducer. The trip wire is adapted to cause an axially sliding motion of the sliding cylinders during an application of force to the trip wire. A restraining means is associated with each sliding cylinder to restrain sliding motion thereof during the application of force to the trip wire.

Abstract: A telescopic band applicator for use in applying an elastic band to a stump of tubular tissue includes an outer tubular member, a middle tubular member telescopically received within the outer tubular member, and an inner tubular member telescopically received within the middle tubular member. A plurality of concave prongs at the end of the inner tubular member are adapted and arranged to compress and capture the stump of tissue within the inner cylindrical surface of the middle tubular member for banding.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in placing suture or fasteners in tissue at a remote location such as a laproscopic surgery is comprised of an elongated handle having a coiled projection at its distal end. The coiled projection is employed in penetrating and positioning a length of suture or fastener in tissue, for example, as in tissue proximation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for applying a preformed endless band (18) of elastomeric ligature material to an animal body part is provided, such method employing a motor to facilitate the winding of ligature material. The apparatus (10) includes a winding assembly (14) for winding the band (18), wherein a loop (20) of the band (18) is tightened by winding the band (18). A crimping assembly (16) for crimping a grommet (32) to secure the loop (20) is also disclosed. The invention allows the loop (20) to be quickly and tightly secured using pneumatic/electric tools or motors.

Abstract: A ring loader device is used for expanding an elastic cincture band prior to application to a user's male sex organ for cincturing an engorged condition thereof as a treatment for impotence. A cone component has a conical shaped pyramid with vertical grooves. A corresponding dome component has matable ribs which are received in the cone grooves. The ribs enter the grooves and align the cone and dome as they are matably pressed together. As a prior step, a suitable elastic ring is placed over the tapered smaller end of the cone component, and becomes expanded against the cone outer surface as the dome is pressed onto the cone. The cone may include particular surface contours for corresponding receipt of inside diameter features of the elastic ring, such as a urethra channel or radially inward points for added cincturing pressure. The cone and dome arrangement may be used to expand and align an elastic ring onto a transfer collar, or directly onto the outside diameter of a vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An gas-sealed instrument for use in laparoscopic procedures in a gas-insufflated body cavity. The instrument comprises a static portion, a moving portion, and a flexible seal for preventing gas from escaping from the body cavity through the static portion. The static portion includes a handle, and an elongate outer tube having a bore, a proximal portion attached to the handle, and a distal portion adapted for inserting into the body cavity. The moving portion includes an operating lever pivotally mounted in the handle, and an elongate operating rod mounted in the bore of the elongate outer tube, and sliding axially relative thereto in response to the operating lever. The flexible seal includes an outer portion attached to the static portion, an inner portion disposed about part of the moving portion, and a flexible mid portion between the outer portion and the inner portion. A rigid seal may be substituted for the flexible seal.

Abstract: A ligature tool, of the type having a handle carrying an elongate body defining a fastening clip chamber in its forward part with ligature tubing holding and tensioning means carried on the body, provides improved crimping and tubing holding means. The crimping element provides a single pivotally mounted crimping dog that contacts a slit portion of an annular ligation tube clip carried in the fastening clip chamber and is movable into that chamber to crimp the sides defining the slit toward the adjacent inner surfaces of the annular clip body to fasten ligation material therebetween. The tubing holding means provide a body supporting similar laterally opposed tubing holders each having a headed vertical post about which the end portion of tubing is wound under tension before placement in an adjacent wedge-shaped slot for releasable fastening. The tubing holding body also provides tubing cutting structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for applying a band (18) of ligature material to an animal body part is provided, such method employing a motor to facilitate the winding of ligature material. The apparatus (10) includes a winding assembly (14) for winding the band (18), wherein a loop (20) of the band (18) is tightened by winding the band (18). A crimping assembly (16) for crimping a grommet (32) to secure the loop (20) is also disclosed. The invention allows the loop (20) to be quickly and tightly secured using pneumatic/electric tools or motors.

Abstract: A multi-functional surgical device useful, for example, for male and female sterilization procedures. The device can be used for applying an elastic occluding ring onto an anatomical tubular structure, for cutting and cauterizing the cut ends of such a structure for introducing a gas and/or anesthesia into the surgical field, for a biopsy procedure, For illuminating and viewing the surgical field, for applying a conventional clip to an anatomical tubular structure, and/or for applying a flexible and resilient ligature. An applicator device for applying a flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap onto an anatomical tubular structure including tissue grasping forceps moved into and out of the distal end of a tubular member which has one or two anatomical tubular structure receiving slots. A flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap having legs and a base having sufficient elastic memory to close the legs and occlude an anatomical tubular structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for applying a band (18) of ligature material to an animal body part is provided. The apparatus (10) includes a winding assembly (14) for winding the band (18), wherein a loop (20) of the band (18) is tightened by winding the band (18). A crimping assembly (16) for crimping a grommet (32) to secure the loop (20) is also disclosed. The invention allows the loop (20) to be quickly and tightly secured.

Abstract: A multi-functional surgical device useful, for example, for male and female sterilization procedures. The device can be used for applying an elastic occluding ring onto an anatomical tubular structure, for cutting and cauterizing the cut ends of such a structure, for introducing a gas and/or anesthesia into the surgical field, for a biopsy procedure, for illuminating and viewing the surgical field, for applying a conventional clip to an anatomical tubular structure, and/or for applying a flexible and resilient ligature. An applicator device for applying a flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap onto an anatomical tubular structure including tissue grasping forceps moved into and out of the distal end of a tubular member which has one or two anatomical tubular structure receiving slots. A flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap having legs and a base having sufficient elastic memory to close the legs and occlude an anatomical tubular structure.

Abstract: A multi-functional surgical device useful, for example, for male and female sterilization procedures. The device can be used for applying an elastic occluding ring onto an anatomical tubular structure, for cutting and cauterizing the cut ends of such a structure, for introducing a gas and/or anesthesia into the surgical field, for a biopsy procedure, for illuminating and viewing the surgical field, for applying a conventional clip to an anatomical tubular structure, and/or for applying a flexible and resilient ligature. An applicator device for applying a flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap onto an anatomical tubular structure including tissue grasping forceps moved into and out of the distal end of a tubular member which has one or two anatomical tubular structure receiving slots. A flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap having legs and a base having sufficient elastic memory to close the legs and occlude an anatomical tubular structure.

Abstract: An arrangement including a suction pump, a pipette, an application tip and a plurality of ligating rings which are carried on the application tip. The application tip is disposed in cooperative relation with the pipette so that the ligating rings may be transferred from the adapter tip to the pipette while being gradually stretched. The pipette is disposed in an incision exposing the ovarian sack of a small mammalian creature, whereupon a suction or vacuum is generated by the pump to capture the ovarian sack, after which a ligating ring is slipped off of the pipette and contracts to ligate said captured sack. This enables resorption of the ligated ovarian sack into the creature and stabilization of hormonal activity as is desired for experimental purposes.

Abstract: A cone-shaped expansion member has an axially facing curved lip for alternative engagement with the entrance end of a penile vacuum chamber or an annular transfer collar. A plurality of interference engagement struts extend in an axial direction from the base of the cone member, for removable interference engagement of the cone with a vacuum chamber or transfer collar. The transfer collar is adapted to be slipped over the user's male sex organ with an enlarged cincture band received thereabout, so that such cincture band may be applied to the base of the user's male sex organ for securing an engorged condition thereof. The transfer collar permits subsequent use of a preexpanded resilient cincture band. When the cone is directly applied to the entrance end of a vacuum chamber, a resilient cincture band may be enlarged by application of same against the cone and directly received about the outside diameter of such vacuum chamber for subsequent application to the base of the user's male sex organ.

Abstract: A multi-functional surgical device useful, for example, for male and female sterilization procedures. The device can be used for applying an elastic occluding ring onto an anatomical tubular structure, for cutting and cauterizing the cut ends of such a structure, for introducing a gas and/or anesthesia into the surgical field, for a biopsy procedure, for illuminating and viewing the surgical field, for applying a conventional clip to an anatomical tubular structure, and/or for applying a flexible and resilient ligature. An applicator device for applying a flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap onto an anatomical tubular structure including tissue grasping forceps moved into and out of the distal end of a tubular member which has one or two anatomical tubular structure receiving slots. A flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap having legs and a base having sufficient elastic memory to close the legs and occlude an anatomical tubular structure.