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.

A suture construct that is elongate along a longitudinal direction and configured to change in size from a first configuration to a second configuration includes an outer layer of material that extends along the longitudinal direction and has a plurality of intertwined fibers that comprise a first sub-set of fibers crossed by a second sub-set of fibers at respective intersections, such that the first subset of fibers and the second subset of fibers are configured to reorient relative to each other in a manner causing the outer layer of material to change in one or more of surface texture and visual appearance as the suture construct changes between the first and second configurations.

Nonwoven resorbable pouches that at least partially enclose implantable medical devices and improved methods for producing the implantable medical device pouches are described. The nonwoven pouches may comprise one or more drugs. Implantable medical devices that are placed in the pouches prior to implantation are prevented from migrating from the site of implantation by tissue ingrowth into the pouch. Antibiotics may be incorporated into the pouches to prevent post-operative infections. The pouches may be formed in fewer steps than conventional pouches, and without polymer coatings. Nonwoven pouches can be formed in one step by dry spinning instead of using multiple processing steps. In embodiments, the nonwoven pouches are smoother on the inside than the outside to tightly fit the implantable medical devices internally while encouraging external tissue ingrowth. In embodiments, the nonwoven pouches eliminate the use of knitted or woven multifilament fibers that can trap bacteria and result in post-operative infection.

System and methods for inserting and securing an intrauterine device.

Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the stapling assembly includes a cartridge having a plurality of staples disposed therein and a non-fibrous adjunct formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. Adjunct systems for use with a surgical stapler are also provided. Surgical end effectors using the stapling assemblies are also provided. Methods for manufacturing stapling assemblies and using the same are also provided.

Embodiments of the invention include a tissue repair system and related components and associated methods that provide for suturing of tissue using three or more suture anchoring implants, including multiple pairs of connected implants in some embodiments, all of which may be deployed from a single device. Some embodiments achieve this by employing a push mechanism capable of being activated to advance the push mechanism incrementally to discrete positions within the device and deploy implants one at a time from the device.

An implantable tissue marker device is provided to be placed in a soft tissue site through a surgical incision. The device can include a bioabsorbable body in the form of a spiral and defining a spheroid shape for the device, the spiral having a longitudinal axis, and turns of the spiral being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of markers can be disposed on the body, the markers being visualizable by a radiographic imaging device. The turns of the spiral are sufficiently spaced apart to form gaps that allow soft tissue to infiltrate between the turns and to allow flexibility in the device along the longitudinal axis in the manner of a spring.

Apparatus and methods are provided for occluding blood vessels and other anatomical structures. Occlusion devices are delivered percutaneously and extraluminally through a small gauge needle and include expandable elements that are deployable on opposite sides of a target vessel to be occluded. When positioned about the vessel the elements are expanded and brought together to compress and occlude the vessel. Embodiments include those adapted for temporary as well as permanent use.

The present invention aims to provide a staple reinforcement for a surgical stapler that can be used in surgical staplers of various sizes, is easily passed through ports, and is less likely to shift during operation of the surgical stapler. Provided is a staple reinforcement for a surgical stapler, including a fabric layer containing a bioabsorbable material and a sponge layer containing a water-soluble polymer, the fabric layer and the sponge layer being integrally laminated.

A medical device for approximating and securing tissue without requiring knots includes a lock-head, a strap section, distal protuberance, and a leader section. The device also includes a transition section between the leader and the strap section and a stiffening section proximal to the protuberance. The leader section is used to draw the strap section into the body through small apertures in tissue and the transition section provides a gradual transition in stiffness and size between the leader and the strap section.