| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080210738 | STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR FORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS - A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable in an axial direction and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions is disclosed. Various embodiments of the present invention include a cartridge body that movably supports first and second staple drivers. The staple drivers each support a staple thereon and serve to drive the staples into forming contact with the anvil upon actuation by the actuator. The various embodiments of the present invention enable the final formed heights of the staples to be varied so as to apply various clamping forces and pressures to soft tissue captured within the staples. In at least one embodiment, the staples can include crowns formed thereon which can be utilized to adjust or control the clamping force and/or pressure applied by the staples. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080255460 | NANOPARTICLE TISSUE BASED IDENTIFICATION AND ILLUMINATION - Various compositions, methods, and devices are provided that use fluorescent nanoparticles to function as markers, indicators, and/or light sources. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluorescent nanoparticles are biocompatible, and more preferably they can be formed from a fluorophore core surrounded by a biocompatible shell, such as a silica shell. In one aspect, the fluorescent nanoparticles can be delivered to tissue to mark the tissue, enable identification and location of the tissue, and/or illuminate an area surrounding the tissue. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080275297 | ENDOSCOPIC GUIDE DEVICE - Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for manipulating and/or anchoring devices and body parts during surgical procedures. In one embodiment, an anchor member is provided for anchoring a device or body part to tissue, such as an internal wall of a body cavity. The device can be, for example, an endoscopic device, an accessory channel coupled to an endoscopic device, or a support member adapted to support or manipulate an organ. The anchor member can include or form an opening through which the device can be inserted. The anchor member or device can thus be manipulated relative to the tissue to control movement of and/or provide support to the device, tools inserted through the device, and/or organs grasped by the device or tools. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20090001121 | Surgical staple having an expandable portion - A surgical staple including features which can reduce bleeding from soft tissue. In various embodiments, the surgical staple can include at least one deformable member which can puncture a hole in soft tissue as it is inserted therethrough. The deformable member can include a material thereon, or can be comprised of a material, which can expand and substantially fill the puncture hole in the soft tissue. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the deformable member can be coated with a hydrophilic material which can expand when exposed to water, or other bodily fluids, and apply a compression force to the perimeter of the puncture hole. Such a compression force can reduce bleeding from the puncture hole and thereby reduce any potential complications resulting therefrom. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090001123 | Re-loadable surgical stapling instrument - A surgical stapler including an elongate shaft having a first end and a second end. In one various embodiment, an anvil is situated at the second end of the elongate shaft. In one embodiment, a staple cartridge, configured to removably store at least one staple, is movable relative to the anvil. In various embodiments, an actuating mechanism is operably engaged with the staple cartridge through an actuating shaft. In one embodiment, the actuating mechanism is configured to move the staple cartridge relative to the anvil. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090001124 | Staple cartridge cavity configurations - A staple cartridge including first and second staple cavities therein where the first cavity can define a first axis and the second cavity can define a second axis. In various embodiments, the first axis can be transverse to the second axis. In one embodiment, the first and second cavities can extend in directions which are not parallel to each other. In various embodiments, staples deployed from such first and second staple cavities can produce a staple pattern which can better constrict blood vessels in soft tissue and reduce blood flow therethrough. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090001125 | Surgical stapling instrument having a releasable buttress material - A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090001126 | Surgical staples with improved tissue compression features - A surgical staple having at least one projection formed thereon. In various embodiments, the projection is formed on a crown of the surgical staple. In one various embodiment, the projection surrounds, or is positioned adjacent to, at least one deformable member of the surgical staple. In one embodiment, the projection can apply an increased compressive force or pressure to soft tissue surrounding the deformable member prior to the deformable members puncturing a hole in the soft tissue. As a result of the increased compressive force or pressure on the tissue, after staple deployment, blood flow proximate deformable member puncture holes can be reduced. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090001128 | Washer for use with a surgical stapling instrument - A surgical stapler including a “breakaway” washer that is inserted into an anvil. In various embodiments, the washer can include a circular inner portion and a circular outer portion. In one various embodiment, the outer portion may include a number of staple guide sections that define openings through which staple ends of surgical staples are driven when the surgical stapler is fired and are thereafter bent, or turned, by the anvil. In various embodiments, the staple ends may then contact and be retained by the staple guide sections so that the staple ends do not re-penetrate or otherwise re-puncture stapled tissue. In one various embodiment, the washer can be dissolvable or bioabsorbable. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090001130 | Surgical procedure using a cutting and stapling instrument having releasable staple-forming pockets - A surgical procedure including the steps of performing a plurality of cutting strokes to cut a patient's stomach into a first part and a second part. For one cutting stroke an endocutter is used that is loaded with a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of staples to staple the first and second parts of the stomach. One or more staples in the staple cartridge have an integrated crown and staple driver. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090005807 | Surgical staple having a slidable crown - A surgical staple including a deformable member and a crown, where the deformable member can slide relative to the crown. In at least one embodiment, a staple cartridge can include a cavity and a deck, where the cavity can be configured to receive at least a portion of the deformable member and the crown can be positioned within an opening in the deck. In various embodiments, when soft tissue is captured between an anvil and the staple cartridge, the crown can apply a compressive force or pressure to the soft tissue even before the deformable member is deployed toward the anvil. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090005808 | Staple cartridge cavity configuration with cooperative surgical staple - Surgical staples including features which can cooperate with staple cavities in a staple cartridge in order to reduce, or even prevent, the surgical staples from rocking, rotating or tilting, within the staple cavities while the staples are deployed by a staple driver, especially when the staples are oriented at different directions. In various embodiments, the surgical staples can include crowns having arcuate and/or cylindrical features which can cooperate with arcuate and/or cylindrical features of the staple cavities in order to reduce unwanted relative movement, or rotation, between the staples and the staple cavities. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090005809 | Surgical staple having a slidable crown - A surgical staple including a deformable member and a crown, where the deformable member can slide relative to the crown. In various embodiments, a staple cartridge can include a cavity and a deck, where the cavity can be configured to receive at least a portion of the deformable member and the crown can be positioned within an opening in the deck. In one various embodiment, the crowns of two or more adjacent surgical staples can be connected. In various embodiments, the connected crowns can apply a uniform pressure to soft tissue and increase the stiffness of the soft tissue after the surgical staples have been deployed therein. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090118587 | Manifold for laparoscopic seal assembly - A laparoscopic seal assembly includes a seal cap having a seal with an access opening. The seal cap also includes a manifold connection for attachment of a functional apparatus. The seal assembly further includes a retractor. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090192344 | SURGICAL DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING TISSUE - A surgical kit can be used to manipulate tissue within the body of a patient to create a working space within the body to allow a surgeon to easily access and work within the body using various surgical instruments. A surgical kit can include an implant comprised of a magnetic material which can be engaged with tissue within the body. The kit can further include a surgical instrument having a magnet which can be used to manipulate the implant and tissue engaged therewith. A surgical kit can include an anchor and a hanger configured to engage tissue at different locations within the body and a connection member engaged with the anchor and the hanger such that the connection member can be pulled to move the anchor toward the hanger. A surgical instrument which utilizes a vacuum provided to one or more movable members can also be used to manipulate tissue. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100010310 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MAINTAINING VISIBILITY AND PROVIDING IRRIGATION AND/OR SUCTION DURING SURGICAL PROCEDURES - Methods and devices are provided for providing irrigation and/or suction to a surgical site and maintaining clear visibility through a lens of a scoping device during a surgical procedure. In general, the methods and devices can allow for a surgical instrument to maintain visibility during a surgical procedure using a fluid conduit coupled to the surgical instrument. A surgical device can include a sheath having at least one lumen extending therethrough configured to allow a surgical viewing instrument to be disposed therein. The sheath can also have a passageway extending therethrough configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough. The fluid conduit can be configured to be movable between positions that can allow alternative directions of fluid toward and/or away from a viewing element on the surgical instrument and fluid away from the viewing element and toward a surgical field in a body cavity. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100030032 | ACCESS DEVICE - A surgical access device includes a base having two or more ports or apertures that provide for the insertion of surgical instruments. The multi-port insert may be used with a laparoscopic access device. The multi-port insert may also include one or more instrument supports that are attached to the base to fix the position of one or more surgical instruments inserted through the multi-port insert. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100032470 | SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR DEPLOYING SURGICAL STAPLES WITH TISSUE COMPRESSION FEATURES - A surgical staple having at least one projection formed thereon. In various embodiments, the projection is formed on a crown of the surgical staple. In one various embodiment, the projection surrounds, or is positioned adjacent to, at least one deformable member of the surgical staple. In one embodiment, the projection can apply an increased compressive force or pressure to soft tissue surrounding the deformable member prior to the deformable members puncturing a hole in the soft tissue. As a result of the increased compressive force or pressure on the tissue, after staple deployment, blood flow proximate deformable member puncture holes can be reduced. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100081863 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PERFORMING GASTRECTOMIES AND GASTROPLASTIES - Methods and devices are provided for performing gastrectomies and gastroplasties. In one embodiment, a method includes gaining access to a stomach of a patient through an opening formed in the patient's abdominal wall and an opening formed in the patient's vaginal wall. Tissue attached to the stomach can be tensioned using a surgical instrument inserted through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings and can be separated from the stomach to free the stomach fundus using a dissecting surgical instrument inserted through another opening, e.g., through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings. The fundus can be at least partially transected using a surgical stapler inserted through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings, thereby forming a stomach “sleeve.” In another embodiment, the method is modified to form another opening in the patient's abdominal wall instead of forming an opening in the vaginal wall. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100081864 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PERFORMING GASTRECTOMIES AND GASTROPLASTIES - Methods and devices are provided for performing gastrectomies and gastroplasties. In one embodiment, a method includes gaining access to a stomach of a patient through an opening formed in the patient's abdominal wall and an opening formed in the patient's vaginal wall. Tissue attached to the stomach can be tensioned using a surgical instrument inserted through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings and can be separated from the stomach to free the stomach fundus using a dissecting surgical instrument inserted through another opening, e.g., through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings. The fundus can be at least partially transected using a surgical stapler inserted through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings, thereby forming a stomach “sleeve.” In another embodiment, the method is modified to form another opening in the patient's abdominal wall instead of forming an opening in the vaginal wall. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100081880 | Surgical Access Device - Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100081881 | Surgical Access Device with Protective Element - Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100081882 | Multiple Port Surgical Access Device - Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100081883 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PERFORMING GASTROPLASTIES USING A MULTIPLE PORT ACCESS DEVICE - Methods and devices are provided for performing gastroplasties. In one embodiment, a method of performing a gastroplasty includes gaining access to a stomach of a patient through an opening formed in the patient's abdominal wall. A multiple port access device having two or more sealing ports through which surgical instruments can be inserted can be positioned in the abdominal opening. Various instruments can be inserted through the various sealing ports to perform certain steps, such as tensioning and cutting tissue, sizing and transecting the stomach, viewing the surgical site, etc. The methods and devices can be used to perform a Magenstrasse and Mill procedure in which only a portion of the stomach is transected. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100081995 | Variable Surgical Access Device - Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100174311 | Actuation Apparatus and Method - An endoscopic accessory medical device is provided. The device can include a handle, a flexible shaft, and an end effector. The handle can include an actuator for operating the end effector through a wire or cable pulling member that extends through the flexible shaft. The handle and actuator can be operable with a single hand, such that the operation of the end effector can be accomplished with the same hand that is used to hold the handle and advance the end effector through an endoscope. The handle can include an actuation mechanism that is decoupled from operation of the end effector when the actuator is in a first open position, which becomes operatively coupled to the end effector when the actuator is moved to a second position, such as by squeezing the actuator, and which operates the end effector when the actuator is moved further to a third position. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100228090 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PROVIDING ACCESS INTO A BODY CAVITY - Methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access into a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided that includes a housing coupled to a retractor. The housing can be have one or more sealing ports for receiving surgical instruments. Each sealing port can include one or more sealing elements therein for sealing the port and/or forming a seal around a surgical instrument disposed therethrough. Each sealing port can be in a fixed position relative to the housing and can be rotatable with the housing relative to the retractor. A plurality of safety shields can extend from the housing into the retractor to protect the retractor from instruments inserted through the sealing ports and into the retractor. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100228096 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PROVIDING ACCESS INTO A BODY CAVITY - Methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access into a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided that includes a housing coupled to a retractor. The housing can be have one or more sealing ports for receiving surgical instruments. Each sealing port can include one or more sealing elements therein for sealing the port and/or forming a seal around a surgical instrument disposed therethrough. Each sealing port can be in a fixed position relative to the housing and can be rotatable with the housing relative to the retractor. A plurality of safety shields can extend from the housing into the retractor to protect the retractor from instruments inserted through the sealing ports and into the retractor. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100243709 | SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A RELEASABLE BUTTRESS MATERIAL - A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100280326 | SURGICAL DEVICES FOR INTERNAL ACCESS THROUGH TISSUE - Methods and devices are provided for providing access through tissue to a surgical site. In one embodiment, a surgical access device can be configured to move between a first, expanded configuration, and a second, compressed configuration. As the device moves from the first configuration to the second configuration, a longitudinal length of the device can decrease, thereby allowing the device to be securely positioned in tissue and reducing a distance that the device extends into a body cavity. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100292540 | SURGICAL RETRACTOR AND METHOD - A retractor instrument for use in surgery having a body section and attachment tabs for securing the retractor to tissue. The retractor may have multiple body sections joined by hinges or ribs and may be rigid or flexible or some combination thereof. The retractor may comprise bioabsorbable material as well as hemostatic material. The retractor is suitable for use with clips, staples, sutures and tacks. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100312061 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PROVIDING ACCESS THROUGH TISSUE TO A SURGICAL SITE - Methods and devices are provided for providing access through tissue to a surgical site. A surgical access device can be configured to be positioned in tissue to provide access through a working channel of the access device to a body cavity underlying the tissue. The access device can include a sealing element positioned at least partially within the working channel. The sealing element can be formed of a puncturable self-sealing material such as a gel and/or a foam configured to provide a channel seal that seals the working channel when no instrument is inserted through the sealing element and configured to provide an instrument seal that provides a seal around one or more surgical instruments inserted through the sealing element. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100312063 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ACCESSING A BODY CAVITY USING A SURGICAL ACCESS DEVICE WITH MODULAR SEAL COMPONENTS - Methods and devices are provided for providing access through tissue to a surgical site. In one embodiment, a surgical access device can include a hollow tubular member and a modular seal member. The modular seal member can be configured to radially span a lumen of the tubular member and can be removably and replaceably matable to a portion of the tubular member. The access device can also include a plurality of access ports, each of which can be configured to mate with the modular seal member at a respective desired location. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100312064 | RETRACTOR WITH INTEGRATED WOUND CLOSURE - Methods and devices are provided to allow the same component used to access a surgical site to assist in closing the surgical opening in which it was disposed. In one exemplary embodiment a flexible retractor is provided that includes proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough. A wound closure component is associated with the flexible retractor and is configured to engage tissue adjacent to a surgical incision in which the retractor is disposed and move tissue from one side of the surgical incision toward a second side of the surgical incision to assist in closing the surgical incision. In one embodiment the wound closure component includes strands of suture having hooks disposed on a distal end. In another embodiment the wound closure component includes a ring having hooks disposed around a circumference of the ring. Exemplary methods for closing a surgical opening are also provided. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100312066 | INFLATABLE RETRACTOR WITH INSUFFLATION - Various methods and devices are provided for accessing a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided and includes an elongate member having a proximal support member configured to rest against an external tissue surface, a flexible elongate central portion extending distally from the proximal support member and configured to extend through tissue, and an inflatable distal portion coupled to a distal end of the central portion. The distal portion is movable between an initial configuration, in which the distal portion is configured to be passed through an incision in tissue, and an inflated configuration in which the distal portion is expanded such that the central portion forms a working channel through the tissue for access to a body cavity. The distal portion can include an opening such that gas delivered to the distal portion can flow through the opening to insufflate a body cavity. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110040309 | IMPLANTABLE RESTRICTION DEVICE WITH SPACER - An implantable restriction device includes a belt and a balloon secured to the belt for engagement with tissue when the implantable restriction device is positioned about the stomach. A spacer is associated with the belt for maintaining the restriction device in a spaced relation with a staple line employed during gastric reduction surgery. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110060308 | METHODS AND IMPLANTS FOR INDUCING SATIETY IN THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY - A method for inducing satiety using the steps of inserting an elongated device into a patient through a natural orifice and into a stomach of the patient, placing a distal end of the elongated device adjacent a treatment site within the stomach, and delivering at least one space occupying member through the elongated device adjacent the treatment site and implanting the at least one space occupying member between the submucosal and muscularis layers at the target site. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110060358 | METHODS AND IMPLANTS FOR INDUCING SATIETY IN THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY - A device for inducing satiety including an elongated device for insertion through a natural orifice and into a stomach of the patient. The distal end of the device includes a means for occupying space between the submucosal and muscularis layers adjacent a pyloric sphincter. The means has a collapsed state for delivery to a target site and an expanded state for implantation thereof. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110060363 | SURGICAL STAPLES HAVING COMPRESSIBLE OR CRUSHABLE MEMBERS FOR SECURING TISSUE THEREIN AND STAPLING INSTRUMENTS FOR DEPLOYING THE SAME - A staple having a crown, a deformable leg extending from the crown, and a spring extending from the crown configured to compress tissue between the spring and the deformable member. Owing to the flexibility of the spring, the staple can accommodate a wide range of tissue thicknesses while still compressing the tissue captured therein. As a result, a single staple design can be used in a wide variety of surgical procedures thereby reducing the amount of staple designs that must be provided to the surgeon. In at least one embodiment, the staple includes a crushable member. This crushable member can include a plastically deformable first portion and an elastically deformable second portion. The present invention can also include, in various embodiments, a crown, a first deformable member extending from the crown, and means for compressing the tissue against the first deformable member. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110087236 | LAPAROSCOPIC DEVICE WITH COMPOUND ANGULATION - Methods and devices are provided for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided that includes an elongate shaft having a distal portion configured to be movable between a first configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is substantially straight or linear and a second configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is bent at a compound angle. The shaft's distal portion can be configured to be articulated in a wide range of compound angles and can be configured to be selectively locked in a fixed position anywhere within that range. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110087265 | LAPAROSCOPIC INSTRUMENT WITH ATTACHABLE END EFFECTOR - A laparoscopic surgical device comprises an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis, the shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end. A plurality of arms project distally from the distal end of the elongate shaft, the arms each comprising a lateral notch. The arms are axially slideable relative the elongate shaft and are medially deflectable. An elongate pin is positioned medially relative the arms. The elongate pin is axially slideable relative the arms between a locked position preventing medial deflection of the arms and an unlocked position allowing medial deflection of the arms. A surgical end effector is selectively attachable in vivo and detachable in vivo to the mating feature of the arms, the surgical end effector comprising jaws that open and close in response to the axial movement of the two arms when attached to the surgical end effector. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110087269 | ARTICULABLE LAPAROSCOPIC INSTRUMENT - A medical device comprises a handle comprises an actuator. A shaft extends distally from the handle. A first shaft segment extends proximally from the handle and has a proximal end and a distal end. A second shaft segment has a proximal end and a distal end and is pivotably supported with respect to the distal end of the first shaft segment at a position offset from a longitudinal axis of the shaft in a first offset direction. A third shaft segment has a proximal end and a distal end and is pivotably supported with respect to the distal end of the second shaft segment at a position offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft in a second offset direction different from the first offset direction. A first member extends through at least a portion of the first shaft segment and is operatively associated with the actuator. A second member extends through at least a portion of the second shaft segment. The second member has a proximal end pivotably supported with respect to the distal end of the first member and a distal end pivotably supported with respect to the third shaft segment. The actuator is operative to provide substantially simultaneous compound articulation of the second and third shaft segments. | 04-14-2011 |
