United States Surgical

United States Surgical Corporation (USSC) was a major American medical technology company that pioneered the development of surgical stapling and laparoscopic instrumentation. Founded in 1964 by Leon Hirsch, the company transformed surgical practice with its 'Auto Suture' brand, which provided faster and more consistent wound closure compared to traditional hand-sewn sutures. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, USSC was at the forefront of the minimally invasive surgery revolution, providing the tools and training necessary for the global adoption of laparoscopic procedures. The company was acquired by Tyco International in 1998 for approximately $3.3 billion and eventually became part of Covidien, which was subsequently acquired by Medtronic in 2015. Today, USSC's innovations remain foundational to Medtronic's surgical portfolio.