The invention relates to a surgical instrument of the punch forceps type, designed to perform trabeculectomy, the instrument including an elongate body (101) on which an elongate lever (102) is hinged, and a punch (110) constituted by a tubular blade (120) and a cutting plunger (130). According to the invention, the tubular blade (120) of the punch (110) is mounted to be forwardly inclined so as to define an obtuse angle (a) with the body (101) lying essentially in the range 95.degree. to 160.degree., and the notch in the cutting plunger (130) of the punch (110) has a cutting edge (134) which is raised so as to be capable of engaging the tissue to be cut when said plunger is withdrawn. The punch (110) is preferably mounted so as to be interchangeable, thereby making it possible to have a cutting plunger that is interchangeable or suitable for single use.

Apparatus and methods for use in performing surgical operations such as anterior or posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions wherein the apparatus has means for positioning a target area at the center of a an arc of a circle so that when the target area is positioned at a location relative to the anatomical center of the original attachment of the cruciate ligaments on the tibia and femur bones, kirschner wires may be pushed through guide means having a longitudinal axis coinciding with a ray emanating from the center of the circle and indicate the proper location for holes in the tibia and femur for the proper attachment of a cruciate ligament graft substitute. The apparatus is also used in the placement of kirschner wires to serve as guide wires in the performance of an osteotomy.

A cerclage wire passer comprises a proximal portion with handle structure and an S-shaped distal portion with an eyelet hole at the outer end thereof. The S-shaped distal portion includes a primary curved segment that fits around the bone to be cerclaged and a secondary reverse curved segment which accommodates the mass of tissue and muscle surrounding the bone when the wire passer is manipulated.

A surgical instrument and a method for treating female urinary incontinence. The instrument comprises a shank having a handle at one end thereof, and two curved needle-like elements which are connected at one end thereof each with one end of a tape intended to be implanted into the body. These elements can be connected one at a time with the shank at the other end thereof to form a curved end portion of the shank and are intended to be passed into the body via the vagina, each element being dimensioned to extend from the inside of the vaginal wall over the back of the pubic bone to the outside of the abdominal wall. When practicing the method the tape is passed into the body via the vagina first at one end and then at the other end at one side and the other, respectively, of the urethra to form a loop around the urethra, located between urethra and the vaginal wall. The tape is extended over the pubis and through the abdominal wall and is tightened. Then, the tape ends are cut at the abdominal wall, and the tape is left implanted in the body.

Apparatus and methods for use in performing surgical operations such as anterior or posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions wherein the apparatus has means for positioning a target area at the center of an arc of a circle so that when the target area is positioned at a location relative to the anatomical center of the original attachment of the cruciate ligaments on the tibia and femur bones, kirschner wires may be pushed through guide means having a longitudinal axis coinciding with a ray emanating from the center of the circle and indicate the proper location for holes in the tibia and femur for the proper attachment of a cruciate ligament graft substitute. The apparatus is also used in the placement of kirschner wires to serve as guide wires in the performance of an osteotomy.