A method of creating an anastomosis is provided using a stapling assembly including a body extending distally along a longitudinal axis and a deck member defining a deck surface. The deck surface includes a first array of staple openings comprising a herringbone pattern, and each staple opening of the first array of staple openings has a same size. The method includes positioning an anvil within a first lumen of a patient and positioning the stapling assembly within a second lumen of the patient. The method also includes releasably coupling the anvil with the stapling assembly and compressing tissue of the first and second lumens between the anvil and the deck member. The method further includes actuating a plurality of staple drivers to drive a first plurality of staples distally and parallel to the longitudinal axis from the first array of staple openings into the tissue to define the anastomosis.

An anastomotic coupler is provided. A ring can include a receiving portion. A fixation device includes a cartridge. The cartridge includes a plurality of fasteners. Upon actuation of the fixation device, the fasteners puncture the tubular structure. The fasteners are received by the receiving portions such that the tubular structure is coupled with the ring.

Thoracic/lumbar and cervical spinous process staples which staple/fuse adjacent spinous processes are disclosed. Thoracic/lumbar transverse process staples which staple/fuse adjacent transverse processes are also disclosed. Each embodiment has upper and lower claws connected by a ratchet spring mechanism, along with a multiplicity of bone fastener prongs attached to the upper and lower claws. Two sets of prongs on each staple claw are spaced by a distance approximately equal to the distance separating adjacent spinous or transverse processes so as to facilitate stapling/fusion of two adjacent processes. Also disclosed are staple prongs with multiple perforations which enable incorporation of bone fusion material thereby facilitating stapling/fusion of spinal elements.

The present disclosure relates to a fastener applicator including a handle, a first trigger coupled rotatably with respect to the handle, and a second trigger coupled rotatably with respect to the handle. An interlock is disposed with the second trigger and comprises a cam follower engaged in a cam channel that selectively prevents rotation of the second trigger relative to the first trigger depending on a location of the cam follower within the cam channel. The location of the cam follower in the cam channel is set by a position of the first trigger. Methods of operating the various embodiments disclosed are also provided.

Abdominal closure method and device variations for closing ventral hernias and reducing recurrence are described. The tissue anchoring assembly may generally include a first prong defining a lumen at least partially therethrough. The first prong may further define one or more openings or channels at least partially along the first prong and an opening near or at a base of the first prong such that the one or more openings or channels and the opening are in communication via the lumen. A first member may extend from the base of the first prong for contact against a first tissue surface and a second member may be configured to move relative to the first prong for contact against a second tissue surface such that the first member and the second member are secured relative to one another.

Devices, systems and/or methods for repairing soft tissue adjacent a soft tissue repair site. In one embodiment, the repair device includes an anchor member having a base with at least four legs extending from the base. The base extends with a generally flat circular profile defining an upper surface and an underside surface with a central opening extending therethrough. Further, the at least four legs extend from the base with an elongated angled portion, the elongated angled portion being oriented at an angle less than seventy-five degrees relative to the underside surface of the base. With this arrangement, the anchor member may be fixated to soft tissue by rotating the base with a delivery tool so that the elongated angled portion of the at least four legs facilitates the anchor member sinking into the soft tissue and fixating thereto.

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 invention relates in general to the field of heart surgery. In the surgical field, instruments are used in order to examine the interior of living organisms and/or to use for operative interventions. These also include implants for the production of the functionality of a heart. The invention relates to such an implantable device and a method for eliminating regurgitation in the area of the heart. The implantable device is an annuloplasty ring with a large number of tissue anchors. An unfolded annuloplasty ring is positioned in the cavity of a body element in order to constrict a bodily opening. Using the minimally-invasive technique, each tissue anchor of the annuloplasty ring is intravascularly inserted in advance into a precise position on the edge of the mitral valve annulus. The annuloplasty ring that is configured in the shape of an arc or circle is mounted and fastened to the thus anchored fastening means in order to influence in size and shape the septal and lateral annulus of the mitral valve and to close the gap between the anterior and posterior cusps in the valve.

A surgical fastening device includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion, a shell assembly, a screw drive, and a firing mechanism. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The shell assembly is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, and includes a cartridge assembly and an end effector. The screw drive defines a longitudinal axis. A distal portion of the screw drive is engaged with the end effector. Rotation of the screw drive about the longitudinal axis relative to the elongated portion causes longitudinal translation of the end effector relative to the cartridge assembly. The firing mechanism is disposed at least partially within the end effector. A predetermined amount of proximal movement of the end effector relative to the cartridge assembly is configured to at least partially form fasteners disposed in the cartridge assembly.

A medical device for joining materials is provided. The device comprises a piercing element configured to penetrate materials to be joined. The piercing element is sufficiently sharp to penetrate materials to be joined and comprises a hollow interior along at least a portion of its length configured to distal advancement of a fastener therethrough; and an open tip through which the fastener can be pushed. The device can be used for fastening materials including tissue, synthetic mesh, and biologic mesh (e.g., ADM).