Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Origin Medsystems, Inc.

Esd Medical, L.l.c.

Warren P Williamson Iv

Craig B Berky

David C Yates

Mark S Ortiz

Paul A Spence

Thomas W Huitema

Anil K Nalagatla

James Walden Voegele

Richard P Nuchols

Thomas J Ward

Steven H Mersch

Jesse J Kuhns

George T Christakis

William J Christy

James H Chambers

Martin Madden

Cecil R Robinson

Douglas P Allen

E Dale VanHoose

James R Christy

Marty J Warnecke

Delbert Ted Leimbach

An anastomosis is performed using a flexible mounting structure mounted on the outside of at least one vessel. Fasteners extend through the vessel and are bent towards the incision to attach the flexible mounting structure to the vessel in a manner that controls the edge of the vessel adjacent to the incision. The mounting structures are oriented on each vessel so fasteners on one mounting structure interdigitate with fasteners on the other mounting structure at the location of contact between the vessels when the two vessels are brought together. This creates two complementary sinusoidal-shaped vessel edges with peaks of one edge being accommodated in the valleys of the other edge. The peak-to-valley orientation forms a sinusoidal-shaped joint which is leak free. The fasteners are spaced so proper pressure is applied to the tissue to promote healing without leaking. Furthermore, the fasteners are sized and shaped to properly engage the tissue and bend in a desired manner. Methods and tools for carrying out the anastomosis according to the invention are also disclosed. Methods for forming the fastener and the tines having the proper characteristics are disclosed. An absorbable ring-shaped stent is also disclosed.

Apparatus and method for performing an anastomosis

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.

Surgical loop delivery device

A surgical stapler comprising at least one cam having a cam surface, an arrangement for actuating the cam for a longitudinal firing movement of the cam surface, a cartridge having a plurality of staple drive members driven by the longitudinal movement of the cam surface, and a plurality of surgical staples respectively associated with the staple drive members for being fired by the longitudinal movement of the cam surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the staple drive members include at least a pair of alternating first and second staple drive members, the first staple drive member including a laterally spaced pair of staple driving surfaces, the second staple drive member including a single staple driving surface. The first and second staple drive members are disposed such that the staple driving surfaces thereof are arranged in laterally spaced three rows. Alternate embodiments include drive members each having a pair of longitudinally aligned driving surfaces, and a third laterally offset driving surface, as well as a spine-like flexible drive element operatively positioned between the cam surface of the cam and the drive members.

Surgical stapler and staple cartridge

An improved electro surgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located on one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Electrosurgical hemostatic device

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Loveland, OH, United States of America

Warren P Williamson Iv