Ethicon, Gmbh

Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Other

Senmed, Inc.

Ronald J Brinkerhoff

Rudolph Henry Nobis

Mark S Zeiner

William J Kraimer

Hal H Katz

Earl J Mills

InBae Yoon

William D Fox

Federico Bilotti

E David Allen

Harry C Parkhurst

Richard C Smith

Richard L Grant

Jerome E Reckelhoff

Bela Vincze

Martin Madden

Philip J Churchill

Leo J Nolan

Helmut Wolf

David K Evans

Jeffrey S Swayze

Bryan Dale Knodel

David Stefanchik

Michael A Murray

Ronald John Kolata

Jack B Stubbs

Richard W Flaker

James A Transue

J David Hughett

Hector Chow

Roger L Hildwein

Todd J Olson

Edward J Biehle, Iv

W Thompson Lawrence

Delbert E Lucas

John A Cartmill

Julia C Putnam

Michael B Miller

Ramesh S Candadai

Kendall L Dobler

Clifton Coles

Donna R Motz

A ring applicator for applying elastic rings to anatomical tissue during surgical procedures includes an inner member with a forceps movably disposed within a middle tubular member having a distal end configured to hold a plurality of elastic rings in an expanded state and a proximal end with a plurality of longitudinally spaced steps. The middle tubular member is movably disposed in an outer tubular member, and an adjustable stop mechanism is mounted on the proximal end of the outer tubular member to limit axial movement of the outer tubular member relative to the middle tubular member to select which rings are to be ejected. A distal handle is connected with the inner member via slots in the outer and middle tubular members, and a proximal handle is pivotally connected to the middle tubular member via a slot in the outer tubular member. A pusher has a distal end movable between a latched or locked position where the distal end of the pusher protrudes into apertures in the outer and middle tubular members to prevent pivotal movement of the proximal handle and an unlatched or unlocked position where the distal end of the pusher is disengaged from the aperture in the middle tubular member to permit pivotal movement of the proximal handle in order to move the outer tubular member axially relative to the middle tubular member to eject an elastic ring. Distal portions of the outer and middle tubular members are preferably transparent with scale markings formed thereon to allow the surgeon to accurately determine the length of the tissue disposed within the middle tubular member prior to ejecting a ring. A prerelease feature is also disclosed for unlocking the pusher to allow ejection of a ring when the forceps has not been completely withdrawn in to the middle tubular member.

Ring applicator and method for applying elastic rings to anatomical tissue structures

An apparatus and method delivers an expandable body member into a uterine cavity of a uterus through a cervical opening and deploys the expandable body member in the uterine cavity. The expandable body member in a compressed state is inserted into the uterine cavity. A fluid is provided to the uterine cavity at a pressure sufficient to inflate the uterine cavity. The expandable body member expands from the compressed state to the expanded state. After expansion of the expandable body member and inflation of the uterine cavity, the fluid pressure is relieved thereby collapsing the uterine cavity about the expandable body member in the expanded state such that an endometrial layer of the uterus and a surface of the expandable body member substantially contact each other in a facially opposing relationship maximizing contact therebetween. The apparatus which performs the method includes an elongated tubular member having the expandable body member connected to a distal portion of the elongated tubular member and a fluid-providing device connected to a proximal portion of the elongated tubular member.

Apparatus and method for delivering and deploying an expandable body member in a uterine cavity

A device useful in minimally-invasive procedures involving the visualization, dissection and/or harvesting of vessels in the body includes a shaft having a handle mounted on one end and a dissecting tip on the other end. The dissecting tip optionally includes a light source for directing light transverse of the tip and structures to retain the tip in position adjacent the vessel as the tip is advanced along the vessel. Also disclosed are associated methods for transilluminating a vessel, dissecting the vessel from surrounding tissue, and transecting the vessel and side branches and removing the vessel from the body.

Methods and devices for visualizing, dissecting and harvesting vessels and the like

A system for establishing an anastomotic passageway between first and second structures within an animal, the first and second structures each having an intima-exposing opening comprises a first plate sized and configured for attachment to the opening of the first structure, the first plate including an attaching portion having means for gripping first structure at its opening, the first plate further including a coupling portion which is positioned exterior of the first structure when the first plate is attached to the first structure; a second plate sized and configured for attachment to the opening of the second structure, the second plate including an attaching portion having means for gripping the second structure at its opening, the second plate further including a coupling portion which is positioned exterior of the second structure when the second plate is attached to the second structure; and means for connecting the coupling portion of said first plate with the coupling portion of said second plate.

Method and apparatus for establishing anastomotic passageways

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for suturing tissue using a needle holder device, The device includes a handle for holding it, the handle has distal and proximal ends. The device also has right and left arms extending distally from the handle. The arms of the device have proximal ends attached to the handle and distal ends having grippers attached thereto for gripping and releasing a needle. The device includes at least one mechanism for moving the distal ends of the arms closely adjacent to one another and for passing the needle from one gripper to the other and thereafter for moving the distal ends of the arms further apart from one another. The right gripper is holding a needle having a suture attached thereto. The method first involves moving the distal ends of the arms apart from one another and manually inserting the needle into the tissue and back out again. Thereafter, the method involves actuating the mechanism so as to move the arms closely adjacent one another so that the left gripper holds the needle, the right gripper releases the needle. Then the method involves moving the distal ends of the arms further apart from one another. Lastly, the method involves removing the needle from the tissue.

Method for using a needle holder to assist in suturing

A bipolar electrosurgical scissors adapted to electrically cauterize and desiccate organic tissue prior to cutting the tissue in order to reduce or prevent bleeding. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors include a pair of scissor members attached through an electrically insulating point. Each scissor member includes, at a distal end, a shearing surface with a plurality of electrode regions interspersed between a plurality of insulating regions. The insulator regions are offset such that upon closure of the shearing members, the insulation region of one shearing member opposes a corresponding electrode on the other shearing member.

Bipolar Scissors

A new method is shown whereby staples are closed to smaller heights so that virtually total hemostasis is possible. Also, the staple legs in alternate rows in the surgical stapler are made to interlock so that during closure, hemostasis is effected by the interlocking of the staple legs.

Surgical staple for insertion into tissue

A transanal inserter is disclosed which facilitates the atraumatic insertion of intra-anal surgical devices through the anus. The inserter has a tubular portion, a prolate distal end and a proximal end having a flange associated therewith. The prolate end is formed from a plurality of petal-shaped segments which deflect outward as an intra-anal surgical device is urged therethrough, into the colon or intestine. The flange formed at the proximal end of the inserter retains the inserter in place and prevents over insertion of the inserter beyond the anus. The inserter can be fabricated in varying lengths to accommodate surgical requirements. The inserter is fabricated from a plastic material with sufficient pliability to provide for deflection of the segments, while maintaining sufficient rigidity to prevent collapse of the inserter during insertion and use.

Method of using a transanal inserter

A sealing device for endoscopic surgical procedures is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device has two inflatable toroidal sections connected by a transition section. The device is partially inserted into an abdominal opening in a deflated state, and then inflated to provide a seal for obstructing the passage of gas from the abdominal cavity during endoscopic surgery. Endoscopic instruments, or alternatively, the surgeon's hand, can penetrate through the lumen of the toroidal sections of the device. The lumen then conforms to the shape of the instrument or hand passed through it to maintain an adequate seal. In another embodiment, a sealing device to seal a trocar is disclosed. The device is an inflatable toroid shaped to fit securely within the housing of the trocar. Means are provided to selectively inflate or deflate the device to perform its intended sealing function, and instruments can be passed through the lumen of the toroid to access the surgical site without destroying the integrity of the seal.

Endoscopic surgical sealing device

An endoscopic surgical instrument is disclosed which is particularly facilitated for grasping the anvil portion of an circular surgical stapling device. The present instrument includes a generally elongated shaft, with a pair of cooperating jaw members disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The jaw members cooperate in a pincer-like action for gripping the anvil portion of the associated surgical stapler therebetween. The jaw members include cooperating jaw portions, each of which defines a semi-cylindrical gripping surface. The jaw portions are angularly disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the associated shaft, and are otherwise configured to facilitate gripping and manipulation of the anvil portion of the surgical stapling device, as well as tissue manipulation.

Endoscopic anvil grasping instrument

A safety trocar is provided which includes a spring-loaded shield that shields the cutting tip of the obturator after the obturator penetrates tissue. The distal end of the shield is hemispheric in profile and contains slides within cutting tip. The rounded distal end enables the shield to spring forward to shield the cutting tip as soon as the tip perforates the tissue. In other embodiments, positive mechanical means effect shielding. Alternately, the obturator tip is retractable into the cannula or shield, by use of mechanical means such as a spring mechanism.

Surgical trocar

A surgical stapling instrument for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is provided. The surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly mounted by a curved shaft to an actuator handle assembly and incorporates an improved actuator mechanism for transmitting the required operating forces and movements from the actuator handle assembly through the curved shaft to an anvil and staple driver of the stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes a longitudinally movable trocar detachably secured by one or more retainer clips on a hollow shaft of the anvil. When the trocar is retracted, the anvil shaft slides into a central support tube which aligns the anvil axially and circumferentially with a staple holder on the stapling head assembly. The retainer clips are locked against the trocar by the support tube and transmit tension from the trocar to the anvil with no tension load on the anvil shaft. The actuator mechanism permits adjustment of the anvil gap to produce a desired staple height and precludes actuation of the staple head assembly if the anvil gap is set outside of a predetermined range. Also, the actuator mechanism is adapted to both advance and retract the staple driver relative to the staple holder in the stapling head assembly. Further, an improved arrangement for attaching the support shaft to the stapling head assembly and to the actuator handle assembly is provided.

Surgical anastomosis stapling instrument

A safety trocar is provided which includes a spring-loaded shield that shields the cutting tip of the obturator after the obturator penetrates tissue. The distal end of the shield is hemispheric in profile and contains slides within cutting tip. The rounded distal end enables the shield to spring forward to shield the cutting tip as soon as the tip perforates the tissue. In other embodiments, positive mechanical means effect shielding.

Trocar

A mechanism which is capable of anastomosis of two lumens by an absorbable fastener. The fastener is made from two washer-like plates. One such plate has holes to receive latching prongs protruding from the other plate. Fastening is done through a single linear motion that causes the prongs to pierce the tissue, latches the prongs into a receiver and causes a knife blade to cut through excess fastener material and tissue. The ease of removal, by pulling the mechanism thorugh the formed anastomosis, is greatly enhanced. The system can be used such that the plates can be placed in any configuration to properly anastomose tissue.

Pull-through circular anastomosic intraluminal stapler with absorbable

Growing community of inventors

New Richmond, OH, United States of America

Ronald J Brinkerhoff