Abstract: A one piece surgical repair device consists essentially of a polymeric wire. The polymeric wire is comprised of an oriented, semicrystalline polymer. The surgical repair device can be a staple and is capable of permanent flexural deformation at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A self-closing receiverless surgical fastener comprises a fastener body of biocompatible or bioabsorbable material including a bridge member and at least two tines extending from opposite ends of the bridge member. The tines are resiliently deformable from a normally closed position with the distal ends of the tines pointing toward each other to an open position with the distal ends of the tines extending substantially parallel to each other for penetrating into tissue. The tines are resiliently returnable to the closed position with the distal ends of the tines pointing toward each other to secure the fastener body to the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical staple is used in joining the skin or fascia of a patient, and is especially desired to be used with mesh placed over a cut organ, such as the kidney. The staple is adapted to be formed about a central anvil and former. The configuration of the staple is such that at initial contact the points of the staple are formed at acute angles to the central portion of the staple. In this fashion, upon forming, a modified "B" shape is derived. This configuration has proven useful to reduce rotation of the staple when emplaced over mesh.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for attaching two portions of cutaneous body tissue includes a pair of opposed elongated jaws having 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 bodily 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: The present invention provides a surgical incision or wound closure implant device possessing an interior hollow core region while maintaining the mechanical beam characteristics of the overall structure. In the case of cored biodegradable implant devices the thickness of the cored region can be varied to regulate the speed at which the device is biodegraded. The core region may optionally be filled with a medicinal agent or a stabilizing material.

Abstract: An improved surgical stapling method and apparatus therefor is disclosed in which parallel rows of staples are inserted prior to forming an incision. When the incision is to be closed, the corresponding staples of the two rows are brought together by suitable locking pins or other techniques.

Abstract: A multiple fire surgical stapler comprises an elongate frame and a pair of jaws movably secured to one another at a proximal end and to the frame at a distal end thereof. Each of the jaws includes a plurality of segments movably secured to one another, whereby the jaws can alternately assume different configurations. A plurality of staples is mounted to one of the jaws, while a firing mechanism is operatively connected to the frame for firing the staples to close the staples.

Abstract: A malleable, bioabsorbable polymeric staple includes a back span with two legs depending perpendicularly therefrom that are deformed along an arcuate path toward each other initially and then upwardly toward the back span such that end points on each leg extend through a gap formed between an underside of the back span and a bend in an opposite leg. A surgical staple-deforming anvil for deforming the staples has a staple-receiving face formed with a pair of guiding path depressions each having an entry end lying on a longitudinal axis parallel to the back span of the staple, and an exit end. The guiding paths are arcuately shaped and form a groove curving and crossing each other approximately at the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the legs of a staple driven toward the anvil and received in the guiding paths are initially bent toward each other and then steered upwardly and along the horizontally curved path toward the gap formed between the back span and the bend in the opposite leg.

Abstract: An anvilless surgical apparatus is provided for applying surgical fasteners to secure grafting material to a desired layer of tissue. The apparatus includes a housing having a nose portion at a distal end and a handle at its proximal end. A surgical fastener cartridge is mounted in the nose portion and is adapted to receive a plurality of surgical fasteners in longitudinal alignment therein. The cartridge is generally oriented substantially perpendicular to the handle. A drive shaft is provided within the housing for driving the surgical fasteners through the grafting material and at least partially into the layer of underlying tissue. The drive shaft is actuable by the handle and general has a pusher rod movable between a distal fired position and a retracted proximal loaded position.

Abstract: Osteosynthesis plate, made of a thermoelastic martensitic alloy whose transformation temperatures are:martensitic transformation temperature Ms below 10.degree. C.;austenitic transformation temperature As above 15.degree. C.,the cross-over from the martensitic temperature to the austenitic temperature bringing about a shortening of the length of the plate, characterized in that it is educated to take a rectilinear shape at a temperature below the martensitic transformation temperature Ms of the material of which the plate is made, and an undulated shape at a temperature above the austenitic transformation temperature as of the said material.

Abstract: A surgical staple for securing a purse string suture to human tissue comprises a staple body of deformable material formed into a loop through which the purse string suture is threaded. The staple body includes a pair of legs which are deformable into an overlapping configuration upon insertion into the tissue to secure the staple body and the purse string suture to the tissue. Alternatively, the staple body includes two or more legs including barbed ends for anchoring the legs to the tissue. To secure the purse string suture, a plurality of staples is positioned about the periphery of the tubular section of tissue, the purse string suture is threaded through the loops in the staples, and the staples are driven into the tissue to secure the purse string suture thereto. In addition, a surgical instrument is provided for applying the staples and the purse string suture to the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical fastener is comprised of a center span with two locking arms extending therefrom, each locking arm containing an indentation adapted to receive a locking point and an indentation adapted to receive a locking nub. An inner bendable member extends from the center span terminating in a staple point member, the staple point member terminating in a tissue piercing point. An outer bendable member extends from the staple point member parallel to the inner bendable member, terminating in a locking point and locking nub. In the closed position the locking point of the outer bendable member locks into the indentation in the locking arm, to lock the staple in the closed position. In the open position the locking nub of the outer bendable member locks into the locking nub indentation in the locking arm to hold the staple in the open position.

Abstract: A side-to-end vascular anastomosis stapling apparatus that includes a stapling tool (10), a staple forming tool (11) and a staple (12). The stapling tool (10) includes a sleeve (13), a core unit (14), a mandrel (16) and a trigger unit (17). The core unit (14) includes a plurality of fingers (26) that can be selectively urged outwardly by interaction with the mandrel (16) to grip the staple (12). The staple (12) has a plurality of vessel and interior wall engaging members (43) and a plurality of exterior wall engaging members (44).

Abstract: A surgical staple, particularly but not exclusively for use in endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery comprises a first leg provided with a first locking element, a second leg provided with a second locking element, and a hinge joining the first leg and the second leg to one another. The first locking element and the second locking element are designed to cooperate with one another to maintain the staple in a closed postfiring configuration. The staple is disposed in a closed prefiring configuration wherein at least one of the first leg, the second leg, the first locking element and the second locking element is deformed to prevent cooperation of the first locking element and the second locking element. The staple legs are provided with latching elements which cooperate with corresponding elements on a forceps jaws to enable a pivoting of the legs alternately away from and towards one another and about the hinge during a staple opening operation.

Abstract: Surgical staples with an improved configuration including a humpbacked configuration providing significant advantages for stacking and staple rotation.

Abstract: A fixation device for securing a prosthetic ligament to a bone and which comprises a bone staple having a head portion by means of which the staple can be driven into the bone, and a pair of legs extending from the head and having ends engageable into the bone, characterized by a stirrup for guiding the driving movement of the staple and arranged also to cooperate with the staple in order to enable the prosthetic ligament to engage the staple and the stirrup and to be securable to the bone upon completion of driving of the staple into the bone, the stirrup comprising two generally parallel side portions which define guides to receive the legs of the staple and to guide the driving movement of the legs, and also defining an aperture through which the ligament can be taken prior to securement of the ligament to the bone.

Abstract: A circumcision instrument includes a pair of body members displaceable toward each other to simultaneously cut the foreskin along a longitudinal or circumferential line of cut while simultaneously stapling together the skin and mucous layers of the foreskin along at least one stapling line generally parallel with the cut, thereby to reduce bleeding from a cut. In a first embodiment, a generally straight cutting blade is carried by a body member at one end of a pair of scissors-type arms for longitudinally cutting the foreskin, cooperating male and female staple members being removably mounted on opposed body members for simultaneously producing stapling lines on both sides of the cut. In a second embodiment, a pair of annular body members arranged concentrically about a penis are displaced together on opposite sides of the foreskin when folded concentrically back around one of the annular members, a circular stapling line being defined concentrically between a circular cut and the penis.

Abstract: A metal clip for the simultaneous suture of the cutaneous tissue and subcutaneous tissue, consisting of two arch-shaped arms of larger radius with two points at their ends, and two arch-shaped arms of smaller radius with two points at their ends. The arms are joined together by a common segment to form a rigid system.

Abstract: The anvilless surgical stapler includes a pair of stapling assemblies which are mounted on the articulated handles of an applicator. Each stapling assembly includes a mounting block and a staple cartridge which is slidably mounted within the block. Further, each cartridge has a housing with a plurality of openings in which staples are slidably received along with a plurality of pushers. When the stapling assemblies are brought together, one or more ribs in the mounting blocks cause the pushers to fire the staples from the openings of the staple cartridge housings. A pair of deformable lips are also provided at the mouth of each opening for deforming the legs of each staple inwardly toward each other in order to embed into the tissue without penetrating into the tissue. The lips also permit passage of the deformed staples under the biasing force of the pushers.

Abstract: A surgical clip for closing the margins of a wound, is disclosed, which clip consists of a bridge and two legs having cutting edges at their ends and projecting from opposite ends of the bridge. Each leg has a part formed as an arc of a circle which adjoins the bridge, and a free ended straight section including the cutting edge of the leg, extending from the arcuate part of the leg. For reducing trama when the clip is implanted and for maintaining eversion of the wound margins after the clip has been implanted, the straight sections of the legs are set at an angle in the range of 2.5.degree. to 10.degree. with respect to the axis of symmetry of the clip.

Abstract: An apparatus for making surgical sutures in surgical operations, including a distal head part for making the sutures and receiving a cartridge containing staples and having a hollow punch, a control part at the other end and a flexible part transmitting to the distal head part control movements of the control part. The head part is detachable, and is not attached at the moment of insertion into the zone to be sutured. The head part is preferably replaced by a protective cap at the end of the flexible transmitting part. The protective cap allows easy insertion into an opening of a body part to be sutured. The cartridge is mounted to the head part in situ after the protective cap is removed and the head part is located in the zone in which the operation is to take place.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for performing circular anastomosis on body portions, such body portions preferably include at least one tubular organ such as intestines, colons, or the like. The apparatus includes an annular crown-like structure which includes a plurality of elongated sharp resilient members positioned and adapted to pierce and secure the tubular body part in position for attachment to the other body part. An anvil for providing closure in such circular anastomosis and a method of performing such circular anastomosis are also disclosed. A unique anvil for performing such procedures with staples is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semi-disposable surgical stapling instrument for the replacement of staple cartridges, as needed, in the course of an operation, and for the optional provision of a knife to cut tissue between staple rows. Propulsion of the stapling unit may be powered and controlled from the back of the instrument by either hand, as desired, during a surgical procedure with minimal generation of frictional or distorting forces. Economic materials of construction may be employed.

Abstract: A fastener for securing adjacent layers of body tissue to each other and being configured and composed of a material so as to emerge from the body tissue after a limited period of time. The fastener includes a backspan and at least two prongs extending from the backspan. Each prong has a tapered tip culminating in a sharp point. The prongs each include a shaft having a cylindrical portion of uniform diameter. In one embodiment the prong includes a serrated portion having a plurality of notches spaced apart so as to define ridge portions therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical stapler which closes a staple during the downstroke of the former and strips the closed staple during the upstroke of the anvil by pressing the crossarm of the closed staple against a bevelled cam surface.

Abstract: A surgical skin fastener with inwardly biased prongs. The fastener comprises a backspan, horizontal arms, and at least two prongs, each prong having at least one inwardly pointing barb. The prongs are resiliently biased inward for holding adjacent edges of body tissue in close contact.

Abstract: A deformable surgical repair device is manufactured from a block or graft copolymer. The copolymer comprises a plurality of first linkages selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid ester and lactic acid ester linkages, and mixtures thereof, and a plurality of second linkages selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dioxan-2-one; 1,4-dioxan-2-one and .epsilon.-caprolactone linkages. The plurality of first linkages comprises at least about 50 up to about 90 mole percent of the copolymer. In an alternative claim, the deformable surgical repair device is manufactured from a blend of a first and a second absorbable polymer. The first absorbable polymer comprises a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid ester and lactic acid ester linkages, and mixtures thereof. The second absorbable polymer comprises a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dioxan-2-one; 1,4-dioxan-2-one and .epsilon.-caprolactone linkages.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed for ablation of organs or parts of organs or for generally cutting and applying surgical clips to the organ or body tissue. The instrument includes an elongated body having a pair of pincer jaws connected to the distal end, one jaw being fixed, and the other jaw being pivotally mounted at its proximal end for movement toward and away from the fixed jaw for gripping body tissue therebetween. A camming tube is provided for retaining the jaws in the closed position to firmly grip tissue. The instrument includes a knife for cutting the organ, and a tool which carries a cam for propelling suture clips into the tissue. The jaws, the knife and the suture clip application tool are all controllable from the proximal end by the surgeon to facilitate remote control when the instrument is inserted into a trocar or other guide tube.

Abstract: In producing the surgical staple, a cutting edge is moved toward each of the leg portions of the wire from which the staple is formed in inclined relation to the axis of the leg portion to shear the leg portion, the leg portion being set on a receiving surface. A smooth sheared surface and a coarse ruptured surface are formed in order on the distal end portion of the leg portion toward the distal end of the leg portion. A shearing member having the cutting edge above serves to bend and shear the leg portions of the surgical staple.

Abstract: The storage stability of a polymeric article susceptible to hydrolytic degradation, e.g., an absorbable suture, is improved by applying a storage stabilizing amount of a mixture comprising at least one water soluble hygroscopic polyhydroxy compound and/or ester thereof, e.g., glycerol, monoacetin, diacetin, and the like, and at least one compound having the general formula ##STR1## and hydreates thereof to the article as storage stabilizing agent, said agent being retained by the article prior to sealing of the enclosure in which the suture is packaged.

Abstract: A tool for storing dispensing, and applying hemostatic clips includes a shell-like housing, and a pair of ring-handle actuating levers extending therefrom. An elongated dispensing and applying portion extends longitudinally from the housing, and includes a jaw strut extending fixedly from the housing with a pair of laterally opposed jaw members pivotally supported on a distal portion thereof. A channel-like jaw housing extends from the housing in longitudinally translatable fashion, and is received about the jaw strut and jaw members. A magazine member secured to the jaw strut stores a plurality of hemostatic clips in serial, end to end fashion, and is disposed to deliver the distal-most clip between the open jaw members. A feeder slide adjacent to the jaw strut is resiliently biased to urge the clip toward the distal end of the jaw members. Within the housing a shuttle block is disposed for longitudinal translation by squeezing of the levers.

Abstract: The process, described herein comprise stapling a patient's mesentery and omentum with two, three or four rows of staples, the rows being substantially parallel to each other, the staples in all the rows having the same crown size with alternate rows staggered one-fourth of the length of each crown with respect to the adjacent crown in the adjacent row or rows of staples. Advantageously the prong lengths in at least one row differ from the prong lengths in the other row or rows. Advantageously the longer prongs are 30-100 percent larger, preferably about 33-75 percent larger than the smaller prongs. This arrangement is capable of satisfactorily sealing off the variety of sizes of blood vessels and holding firmly the fatty tissue found in the mesentery and in the omentum.

Abstract: A tissue suturing method involves C-shaped suturing staples (16) embedded in a cartridge (14) formed of a carrier (18) and opposite cartridge jaws (20 and 22). The opposite cartridge jaws are moved linearly along a track in the carrier to bend the C-shaped staples into spiraling overlapping loops by a separate elongated pliers-like clamping tool (12). The cartridge jaws selectively engage the pliers-like tool jaws (90) so that a loaded cartridge can be mounted on the pliers-like tool, the suturing staples mounted therein can be rolled up from their ends to theregy pass through tissues positioned in mouths of the staples, the cartridge can be removed from the pliers-like tool jaws, and a new loaded cartridge can be mounted on the pliers-like tool jaws to repeat this process. An equalizer mechanism (84) is included on the pliers-like tool to cause opposite jaws of the pliers-like tool to move correspondingly uniformed distances.

Abstract: A surgical staple has a base portion and a pair of leg portions respectively extending angularly from the opposite ends of the base portion. Each leg portion has at its distal end portion a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface extending from the first inclined surface to the distal end of said leg portion. The first and second inclined surfaces are inclined with respect to the axis of the leg portion. The angle between the first inclined surface and the axis of the leg portion is smaller than the angle between the second inclined surface and the axis of the leg portion. The second inclined surface terminates in a sharp edge at its distal end. For producing the surgical staple, a blade is moved toward each of the leg portions in inclined relation to the axis thereof to shear the leg portion, so that a smooth sheared surface and a coarse ruptured surface are formed on the distal end portion of the leg portion and arranged in this order toward the distal end of the leg portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for suturing a hernial opening in internal body tissues of a patient comprises an elongate staple cartridge rotatably mounted to an elongate frame at a distal end thereof and an elongate staple forming plate movably mounted to the frame for ejecting a staple from the cartridge into the body tissues of the patient and deforming the staple from an open position to a closed position in which the staple holds together two pieces of body tissue on opposite sides of the hernial opening. The instrument further includes a rotator assembly operatively connected to the cartridge for rotatating the cartridge from an orientation aligned with the frame means to a staple ejection orientation transverse to the frame. A tissue positioning assembly separate from the staple forming plate is provided for gripping, approximating and temporarily holding together in a stapling position the two pieces of body tissue prior to and during a stapling operation.

Abstract: The process, stapler and stapler cartridge described herein comprise those suitable for stapling a patient's mesentery and omentum with two, three or four rows of staples, the rows being substantially parallel to each other, the staples in all the rows having the same crown size with alternate rows staggered one-fourth of the length of each crown with respect to the adjacent crown in the adjacent row or rows of staples. Advantageously the prong lengths in at least one row differ from the pront lengths in the other row or rows. Advantageously the longer prongs are 30-100 percent larger, preferably about 33-75 percent larger than the smaller prongs. This arrangement is capable of satisfactorily sealing off the variety of sizes of blood vessels and holding firmly the fatty tissue found in the mesentery and in the omentum.

Abstract: An adjustable surgical staple for use in joining together two pieces of human or animal tissue. The staple has a spine and two legs, with the spine being slotted along its length so as to divide the spine into two separate cross members. Bending the cross members towards or away from one another alters the distance between the leg portions of the staple, thereby allowing precise adjustment of the tension of the joinder between the tissues being joined.