A suture retainer is provided for supplying a surgical needle and an associated length of relatively stiff suture material to a surgical suturing apparatus. The suture retainer generally includes a body portion defining a suture tray and a loading unit positioned on the body portion. The loading unit is provided to retain a surgical needle in a position to be grasped by a surgical suturing apparatus. The suture tray retains the length of relatively stiff suture in a manner which prevents the relatively stiff suture from bending or otherwise being deformed.

The invention relates to an insert holding device (100) comprising a holding structure (110) configured to releasably hold an insert (300) for insertion into a bone, at least one first recess (120) for receiving a first suture (400), and at least one second recess (130) for receiving a looped second suture (500) and a suture holding device (200) comprising a first recess (210) and a holding structure (220) configured such that the first suture (400) can be laid around the second suture (500) and the insert (300), thereby connecting the second suture (500) to the insert (300) when the insert (300) is held by the holding structure (110). The invention further relates to a kit of parts and a method for connecting a suture (500) to an insert (300) for insertion into a bone.

A surgical clip applier is disclosed which is configured to automatically feed a clip from a clip cartridge once the surgical clip applier is positioned in the patient.

A suture package includes a suture housing having a tray with a suture channel, and at least one suture disposed on the suture housing, whereby the suture includes a suture thread disposed within the suture channel of the tray. The package includes a suture straightening assembly provided on the suture housing. The suture straightening assembly defines a suture dispensing path for removing the suture thread from the suture housing. The suture straightening assembly includes a first suture thread straightening section that is configured to apply a first flexing force within a first plane upon an exterior surface of the suture thread as the suture thread is drawn along the suture dispensing path, and a second suture thread straightening section that is configured to apply a second flexing force within a second plane upon the exterior surface of the suture thread as the suture thread is drawn along the suture dispensing path. The first and second planes extend along axes that define an angle relative to one another.

A surgical clip applier comprising an electric motor system is disclosed. The electric motor system is configured to drive one or more drive systems of the surgical clip applier. The surgical clip applier comprises a control system configured to control the electric motor system. The control system is configured to monitor a parameter of the electric motor system to assess the operation of the one or more drive systems. In at least one instance, the control system monitors the electric current drawn by an electric motor and adapts the operation of the electric motor based on the electric current being drawn by the motor. The control system slows the electric motor down when the electric current drawn by the electric motor exceeds a threshold. The control system modulates the width, or duration, of voltage pulses applied to the electric motor to control the speed of the electric motor.

A surgical fixation device and driver for fixing soft tissue in a desired position relative to bone. The fixation device includes a pronged upper portion having two arms extending proximally therefrom to a top surface of the upper portion. Each of the two arms has a side and the sides are opposing sides. The fixation device also includes a flange extending outwardly around each of the opposing sides. The fixation device additionally has a pronged lower portion having two legs extending distally therefrom with a space between the two legs. The upper portion of the fixation device is configured to attach to a surgical driver. The surgical driver has a handle with a body and a shaft extending distally therefrom. A driver interface at a distal end of the shaft is configured for attachment to the fixation device. The driver additionally includes a rotatable adjustment mechanism within the body.

A surgical instrument system is disclosed comprising a plurality of outputs driven by an input. The input is selectively engaged with the outputs by a shifting system.

Surgical clip appliers are disclosed comprising a plurality of clips which are stored in a compressed state. When a stored clip is moved into the crimping chamber of the surgical clip applier, the clip can assume a configuration which is different than its stored configuration before it is crimped.

Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle.

A machine for winding suture into a suture tray package includes a base platform with package nests, each nest including upwardly-extending locating pins. A workstation places an empty tray onto one nest. Another workstation feeds a needle with attached suture in the tray and parks the needle in the tray. A winding station for winding the suture into a tray winding channel includes a rotatable winding head with configurable suture guiding pins, a stripper plate pushing the wound suture off the guiding pins, a suture control arm with proximal and distal ends and top and bottom sides, the distal end having a front standoff and a rear standoff incorporating a suture guiding channel, and a base member mounting the arm to base platform. A lid placement station places a lid onto a nest, a lid attachment station attaches lid to tray and an offloading station removes trays from nests.