Abstract:
The apparatus includes a ureter occlusion apparatus, which comprises, in combination: at least one longitudinally extending plug body (26) of flexible, physiologically acceptable material which obstructs the passage of all particulate matter great than 5 microns in diameter, is laterally compressible to a compressed diameter of not more that 2 millimetres and is laterally expandable in the presence of liquid to an external diameter of at least 1.0 centimetre, a physiologically acceptable flexible guide sheath (21) dimensioned for removable insertion into the ureter, the guide sheath having an internal diameter for receiving the plug body in compressed dry form and being retractable around the plug body so as to leave the plug body in position in the ureter; and a removable physiologically acceptable stylet (22) and guide wire (20) which together allow positioning of the guide sheath within the ureter with both the guide wire and stylet being subsequently removable from the guide sheath to allow the plug body to be installed in the ureter via the guide sheath.
Abstract:
A travel clip is provided for use with a surgical staple cartridge. The travel clip includes a cover having first and second side edges which varying in distance from a centerline of the cover and a longitudinally extending rib projecting perpendicularly along the centerline of the cover. The first and second side edges include areas of maximum distance from the centerline of the cover and areas of minimum distance from the centerline of the cover. The space between adjacent areas of maximum distance from the centerline of the cover provide cutouts or openings for viewing, inspection and verification of structure retained within the surgical staple cartridge.
Abstract:
Surgical sutures are provided. In general, the surgical sutures can include a plurality of directional indicators that each visually indicate a same direction, e.g., a direction toward one free end of the suture. The directional indicators can be configured to indicate a position of the suture relative to a patient and/or other medical device(s). The directional indicators can be a function of the suture itself so as to be an integral part thereof. In other words, threads, also referred to as “strands,” that form the suture can define the directional indictors. The suture can be braided using threads of two different colors so as to form the directional arrows as an integral part of the suture when the suture is braided in manufacturing of the suture.
Abstract:
A device for drilling a hole in bone and for inserting bone screws into the drilled hole is provided. The device comprises a trocar, drill sleeve and protection sleeve in a telescopically nested configuration. The drill sleeve and protection sleeve may have an axial locking feature that allows the two pieces to be handled together as a unit by preventing inadvertent separation. The axial locking feature may comprise an integral annular ridge provided on one sleeve that cooperates with an annular groove provided on the other sleeve. One sleeve may also have at least one slot allowing the locking feature to be disengaged prior to separation of the sleeves. The sleeves may be easily separated with one hand by the user by the application of an axial separation force between a pair of flanges provided with the sleeves, and by a radial compression force applied to at least a portion of the drill sleeve.
Abstract:
A surgical stapling instrument can comprise, one, a handle comprising an actuator and, two, an end effector comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The end effector can further comprise a first jaw configured to support staples comprising staple legs and, in addition, a second jaw supporting a matrix element opposite the staples, wherein one of the jaws is movable toward the other in order to engage the matrix element with the staple legs. The stapling instrument can further comprise a cam operably coupled with the actuator, wherein the cam is movable along the longitudinal axis to deform the staple legs.
Abstract:
A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.
Abstract:
A system for detecting a position of an object such as a surgical tool in an image guidance system includes a camera system with a detection array for detecting visible light a processor arranged to analyze the output from the array. Each object to be detected carries a single marker with a pattern of contrasted areas of light and dark intersecting at a specific single feature point thereon. The pattern includes components arranged in an array around the specific location arranged such that the processor is able to detect an angle of rotation of the pattern around the location and which are different from other markers of the system such that the processor is able to distinguish each marker from the other markers.
Abstract:
A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.
Abstract:
The subject invention provides a surgical instrument support assembly which includes an enclosure defining an opening; a light transmissive pane located at least partially across the opening and defining a support surface; and, a light source located inside the enclosure for generating light to be transmitted through the light transmissive pane. A sterilizable light transmissive surgical instrument support may be also provided to be disposed over at least a portion of the light transmissive pane. Advantageously, with the subject invention, an assembly is provided which includes a sterilized surface for supporting surgical instruments which is backlit. With this arrangement, surgical instruments may be supported and illuminated from beneath to aid a medical practitioner in identifying the surgical instruments.
Abstract:
A fastener cartridge can comprise a compressible, collapsible, and/or crushable cartridge body and fasteners embedded within the cartridge body which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein the first jaw can be positioned opposite a second jaw, or anvil. The anvil can be engaged with the fastener cartridge to compress, collapse, and/or crush the cartridge body and deform, or otherwise deploy, the fasteners contained therein. As the fasteners are deformed or deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the cartridge body therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened. In various embodiments, the cartridge body can comprise a plurality of layers comprised of different materials which can apply pressure to the tissue. These different materials can have different stiffnesses and/or spring rates.