The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to enhance the properties of repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site, especially when sealing an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections so as to improve tissue viability, prevent tissue infection, and to prevent leakage. The present invention further relates to an expandable compression device for application to anastomotically joined tubular tissues, comprising: an upper ring-shaped or disk-shaped flange at a distal end of said device connected to a lower ring-shaped inflatable flange at a proximal end of said device via a hollow cylindrical tubular body, with an opening forming an axial passage through said upper flange, lower flange, and tubular body.

An absorbable and unidirectionally compressible intestinal anastomosis device, including a first through pipe portion and a second through pipe portion respectively including large ends and small ends; the large ends are used for fixing an intestinal canal; and the small end of the second through pipe portion is inserted into the small end of the first through pipe portion. The two large ends are drawn close to each other to achieve an intestine-intestine anastomosis. The outer sides of circular rings at the ends of the small ends of the first through pipe portion and the second through pipe portion are provided with gradually-expanded elastic horn-shaped openings. The device can make two stapled intestinal canals rest relatively, thereby avoiding adjustments required in other assembling modes.

Devices and methods can be used to treat long gap esophageal atresia, while obviating much of the delay and complexities associated with current procedures. The devices and methods involve actively stretching the esophagus portions with traction to promote growth of the esophagus portions. Moreover, the devices and methods provided allow for a compression anastomosis to occur between the esophageal ends. This eliminates the need for a second operation to suture the esophageal ends together.

A multi-segment reinforced actuator includes (a) a soft actuator body that defines a chamber and (b) a plurality of distinct reinforcement structures on or in respective segments of the soft actuator body. First and second reinforcement structures are respectively configured to produce a first and second actuation motions, respectively, in first and second segments of the soft actuator body when fluid flows into or out of the chamber. The actuation motions are selected bending, extending, expansion, contraction, twisting, and combinations thereof; and the first actuation motion differs from the second actuation motion. The actuator can be used, e.g., to facilitate bending of the thumb with corresponding bending, extending, expansion, contraction, and twisting actuation motions.

Implantable medical devices for connecting tissue layers or occluding body conduits and tissue structures include apposition portions, a central region, and a covering material. The methods of using the devices include endoscopic deployment, and the devices may include self-expanding frameworks that facilitate a secure connection between the tissue structures. In some embodiments, one or more tethers are used to longitudinally contract the device in situ.

The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and procedures for placement of a medical device between adjacent tissue structures. In particular, the present disclosure relates to endoscopic systems and methods for preventing or minimizing movement between tissue walls to facilitate placement of a stent therebetween.

A fixing device for suturing of blood vessels is provided, which includes a connecting rod, a first clamping member, a second clamping member, a first extension tube and a second extension tube. One end of the first clamping member is disposed on the connecting rod, and the other end of the first clamping member has a first clamping head. One end of the second clamping member is disposed on the connecting rod, and the other end of the second clamping member has a second clamping head. The first extension tube is disposed on an inner side of the first clamping head. The second extension tube is disposed on an inner side of the second clamping head and opposite to the first extension tube, wherein a relative position of the first extension tube and the second extension tube is adjustable.

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.

A surgical clip includes a spring pretensioning two outer double-armed clip parts and a double-armed clip part rotatably mounted. Each outer double-armed clip part includes one operating arm configured to be pressed together into an open clip position by an applying forceps and one clamping arm. The middle clip part has a clamping arm arranged between the clamping arms of the two outer clip parts and an operating arm arranged between the operating arms of the two outer clip parts. The middle clip part's operating arm is configured to be opened in relation to either of the operating arms of the two outer clip parts by the applying forceps engaging a respective side of the middle clip part's operating arm associated with the operating arm of either of the two outer clip parts to open the middle clip part's clamping arm and the respective middle clip part's clamping arm.

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.