A surgical stapler can comprise an anvil comprising a staple pocket formed in a tissue contacting surface. The staple pocket can comprise a midline or centerline, a first forming cup, and a second forming cup. The first forming cup can comprise a first interior sidewall comprising a first vertical portion which is substantially perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface. The second forming cup can comprise a second interior sidewall comprising a second vertical portion which is substantially perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface. The first vertical portion and the second vertical portion can extend through the centerline, wherein the first interior sidewall and the second interior sidewall can comprise a trap for deforming a first staple leg of a staple to a first side of the centerline and for deforming a second staple leg of the staple to a second side of the centerline.

A scalpel handle includes a receiving member to receive a blade therethrough and a main portion coupled to the receiving member. The main portion has a number of indentations on both a first surface and a second surface thereof. The indentations are evenly spaced between one another and the number of indentations extends from a first end proximate the receiving member along a first length of the main portion across an entire width thereof. The first length is at least two-thirds of a second length of an entirety of the main portion. The width of the main portion is at least five times a maximum width of the receiving member. A thickness of the main portion is at least 2.5 times a maximum thickness of the receiving member. All outer surfaces of the main portion including the first surface and the second surface are convex in shape around edges thereof.

An end effector for a surgical stapling device includes an anvil, a multiple use loading unit, and an ejector assembly. The multiple use loading unit is pivotally secured to the anvil and includes a channel member defining a cavity and a staple cartridge received within the cavity. The staple cartridge has a distal portion having an angled lower surface. The ejector assembly includes an ejector button that is supported on the channel member and engages the angled lower surface of the staple cartridge such that movement of the ejector button from an advanced position to a retracted position in relation to the channel member lifts the distal portion of the staple cartridge from the cavity of the channel member.

A technique for correcting a bone deformity, such as a bunion, may be performed using an instrument. The technique may include preparing an end of a first metatarsal and preparing an end of a medial cuneiform opposing the end of the first metatarsal. The technique may also include moving the first metatarsal relative to the medial cuneiform. The technique can involve inserting the instrument between a first metatarsal and a second metatarsal.

A punch biopsy apparatus to quickly and simply excise a sample of a chosen size and depth while preserving specimen morphology along with an independently operated mechanism to close the excision site. This design includes a body with a cylindrical needle to create a circular incision around the tissue, an independently rotated blade located within the cylindrical needle for excision at the base of the tissue, a plunger to allow release of the specimen, and a compartment for expulsion of skin glue, or another substance, configured to succinctly close the incision site to close the wound. This configuration allows punch biopsies to be performed efficiently with reduced technical skill, number of surgical instruments, and time required for the procedure.

A method of cutting soft tissue in a hand to treat trigger finger involves advancing an introducer shaft into the hand to position a distal end of the introducer shaft beyond a pulley in a finger of the hand, advancing a blade along a guiding channel on an upper surface of the introducer shaft, to position a distal end of the blade at or near the distal end of the introducer shaft, and rotating a cutting surface of the blade to an orientation at or near perpendicular relative to the upper surface of the introducer shaft. The method further involves retracting the blade along the introducer shaft to cut the pulley and removing the introducer shaft and the blade from the hand.

A handheld body cavity access device includes a handle having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and a cavity. A dilator assembly has a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end. A blade assembly is at least partially disposed within the dilator assembly and has a proximal end, a distal end, and a blade hub coupled to the proximal end and disposed in the cavity of the handle. The dilator assembly is movable axially between a retracted position, in which a distal end of the blade assembly extends from the distal end of the dilator assembly, and an extended position, in which the distal end of the blade assembly is covered by the distal end of the dilator assembly. The blade hub includes a body defining a bore aligned with the longitudinal axis and a tab extending away from the longitudinal axis.

A surgical instrument assembly is provided. In some embodiments, an example surgical instrument assembly includes a surgical instrument configured to pass through a guide tube having a proximal end and a distal end. The surgical instrument can include one or more arms configured to extend from the intermediate position, each arm having one or more joints positioned along the arm and an end effector attached at the distal end of each arm. The surgical instrument assembly can include a control assembly positioned at the proximal end and configured to control the movement of the joints and the end effectors.

A set of tools for installation of a stem implant into a bone comprises a stem-shaped priming tool (1) having a distal tip (32) and a plurality of cutting teeth (31) along a length thereof and a plurality of stem-shaped broaches (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) of different size. Each of the broaches have a distal tip and a plurality of cutting teeth along a length thereof. The priming tool (1) is shorter than, has more cutting teeth (31) per unit length, and has a sharper distal tip (32) than the smallest broach.

A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.