A single-use handle is configured to attach to a working shaft that can support a sounder for measuring the medullary canal of a proximal radius, and a planarizer that is configured to planarize a proximal edge of the proximal radius after the proximal radius has been resected. The handle can further include a plurality of sizing cavities that are configured to receive the resected bone so as to determine the size of the resected bone. The handle can further include an ejector that is configured to decouple the planarizer from the working shaft.

A circular stapling device for performing anastomosis procedures includes an end effector that includes or is adapted to deliver probiotics to an anastomotic site during formation of the anastomosis.

A wicking component is integrated into an arthroscopically deployable bone anchor, and is intended to improve soft tissue-to-bone repair. Once deployed, the fibrous wick component extends from within the bone tunnel, out of the hole, and to the bone-tendon interface on the bone surface. The tissue is approximated against the bone, sandwiching the wick material between the bone and tissue. The wick component is ideally a polymeric fibrous or tissue-based scaffold that provides a pathway for cells (autologous bone marrow constituents and blood) to travel from within the bone to the soft tissue-bone interface, accelerating and promoting the healing response. The system provides a biomimetic structure that stimulates the extracellular matrix to encourage cell attachment and potentially improve the healing response. The wick component does not need to be integrated into a suture anchor and installed when the suture anchor is deployed. For example, the wick component could be placed above or near a traditional suture anchor after it has been deployed.

A clip device for gripping biological tissue of a patient includes a clip having a first arm and second arm closeable by operation of a wire that is reciprocally moveable in a longitudinal channel of a sheath; and a bendable member at a distal end region of the sheath. The bendable member can be an integral portion of the sheath or a separate structure. The bendable member is configured to allow a distal end of a clip to rotate or swing toward a proximal end region of the sheath of the device, which orients the clip relative to the sheath to facilitate grasping of tissue even when the approach of the clip is tangential to the tissue, e.g., at an angle (θ) less than 90. The bendable member can be configured to allow a distal end of a clip to rotate or swing toward a proximal end region of a sheath and form an angle of up to at least about 45 degrees, such up to about 60 degrees or up to about 90 degrees, or higher.

A bone implant for at least partial insertion into a bone and/or cartilage. The bone implant is at least partially formed of a metal alloy of at least about 90 wt % of a solid solution or a rhenium and molybdenum alloy.

This application describes a braided cord containing a braided sheath and optionally a core surrounded by the braided sheath. The braided cord has changing cross-sectional area ranging from 0.0004 mm.sup.2 to 30 mm.sup.2 and contains one or more sections having a tapering angle ranging from 1° to 60° when observed in one direction along the cord axis. The change in the cross-sectional area of the cord can be achieved by changing the thickness of the braided sheath and/or changing the cross-sectional area of the core when the core is present. The thickness of the braided sheath can be adjusted by changing the size and/or twist level of one or more sheath strands, changing the pick count of the braided sheath, and/or using one or more shaped sheath strands. This application also describes a process of producing the braided cord with changing cross-sectional area.

A tissue displacement/separation device includes a seamless bladder constructed of a biodegradable polymer. The bladder is expandable from a collapsed or rolled state for insertion into a body between a first and second tissue to an expanded state for separating the first and second tissue.

A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling apparatus includes a cartridge body including a tissue contacting surface defining a plurality of staple retaining slots, a staple disposed within each staple retaining slot of the cartridge body, and a substantially circular buttress. The buttress includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a middle portion extending between the inner portion and the outer portion. At least one stiffened region joins the buttress to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge body. The inner portion, the middle portion, the outer portion, and the at least one stiffened region are all formed from a common material.

A surgical saw blade includes a cutting edge, a proximal portion, and a body portion. The cutting edge has teeth and is substantially formed of a first material having a first thermal conductivity. The proximal portion includes a blade hub. The body portion connects the cutting edge and the proximal portion and includes a thermal transit core formed of a second material having a second thermal conductivity at least twice the first thermal conductivity. The core has a at least two longitudinally extending, core surfaces. The body portion includes at least two longitudinally extending flanking members disposed over the longitu dinally extending core suffaces.

A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a strip of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The strip of staples comprises a plurality of staples, a base strip, and a plurality of connector portions joining the staples to the base strip.