A stapling device includes a handle assembly, an elongate body, and an end effector. The elongate body includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The end effector is operably disposed on the distal portion of the elongate body. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member pivotally secured relative to the first jaw member. The second jaw member is movable between an open position and a closed position. The first jaw member includes at least one pusher bag. The at least one pusher bag is transformable between a deflated condition and an expanded condition. The stapling device further includes at least one staple member releasably supported within the first jaw member. Transformation of the at least one pusher bag from the deflated condition to the expanded condition ejects the at least one staple from the first jaw member.

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.

In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise one or more capsules and/or pockets comprising at least one medicament therein. In at least one embodiment, staples can be fired through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules. In certain embodiments, a firing member, or knife, can be advanced through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules.

The present invention provides a tissue anchor and a system and method employing same, the anchors including a body having a first section and a second section reversibly engagable with one another, each section including a plurality of barbs in the form of microneedles projecting from the underside therefore, the barbs on one section being inclined towards barbs on the other section, such that tissue may be captured and deformed between the barbs through displacement of the first section relative to the second section in order to achieve robust retention of the tissue anchor at a deployment site.

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.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are described for closing the base of a left atrial appendage or other tissue structure. A tissue closure device comprises a pair of legs having compliant surfaces for engaging against opposite sides of the tissue structure. A plurality of axially spaced-apart tissue-penetrating fasteners are delivered from one leg to the other to pierce the intervening tissue and hold the closure device in place on the tissue structure.

A mechanical tissue coupling system that includes a first side tissue grasping assembly, a second side tissue grasping assembly and a joining assembly. The joining assembly is structurally configured to join the first side tissue grasping assembly to the second side tissue grasping assembly. An applicator is likewise disclosed as is a method of using the system and the applicator.

Abdominal closure reinforcement methods and tissue anchoring devices for reducing the rate of abdominal wall closure dehiscence are described. The tissue anchors avoid a permanent footprint of foreign material and precluding materials spanning the interior layer of the abdominal closure where risk to visceral structures exists.

A device for positioning in the body of an animal, the device comprising a first portion and a second portion that may be positioned in contact with one other, the first portion and the second portion each comprising a biocompatible conductive thermoplastic material, such that when the device is positioned in the body of an animal and electric current flows from the first portion to the second portion, heat is generated by electrical resistance at the point of contact between the first portion and the second portion so as to melt regions of the first portion and the second portion, and when the electric current is thereafter terminated, the melted regions of the first portion and the second portion re-solidify so that a weld is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

Devices, systems and/or methods for repairing soft tissue adjacent a repair site. In one embodiment, a repair device is delivered with a delivery device system configured to move a cartridge with the repair device disposed therein toward an anvil with soft tissue positioned thereon. The delivery device linearly moves the cartridge toward the anvil with a worm drive positioned within a housing by rotating a thumb wheel disposed around the worm drive. Such linear movement is provided with a finger element extending from the worm drive that is configured to cooperate with an internal surface of the thumb wheel. With this arrangement, upon rotating the thumb wheel, the worm drive rotates with the finger element engaged with the internal surface of the thumb wheel to linearly move the cartridge toward the anvil.