Abstract: A port assembly adapted for insertion into the tissue of a patient during laparoscopic or endoscopic surgery wherein the port assembly includes an access port having a plurality of openings therein to allow for the insertion of multiple surgical instruments therethrough while maintaining a barrier to the flow of gas from the body cavity of the patient to the atmosphere. The access port is positioned in the housing of the port assembly and preferably includes two or more circular or semi-circularly shaped openings therein and a sealing member associated therewith to allow for the independent movement of the instruments therethrough.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical instrument with an improved handle, the instrument being of the type generally comprised of a handle and a tool with a body member having at least one articulated member thereon, is provided. The handle has an elongated base, an elongated lever with a downwardly projecting actuator arm and structure for connecting the lever and base at a rearward pivot point, which mimics the natural pivot point of the surgeon's hand. The surgical tool may be activated by moving an actuator rod distally by closing the handle lever. The lever may be biased by a spring longitudinally positioned around the actuator rod within the base, in an open position. The instrument includes structure for securing the handle at selected points throughout a range of motion or, alternatively, allowing motion that is not locked at any position. Also provided is a collar for allowing rotation of the tool to a desired radial orientation and adjustably securing the tool in that orientation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hand-held surgical instrument with an improved handle, the instrument being of the type generally comprised of a handle and a tool with a body member having at least one articulated member thereon. The handle of the present invention has an elongated base, an elongated lever, means for connecting the lever and base at a rearward pivot point, means for actuating the surgical tool, utilizing movement of the handle lever between an open and a closed position, means for biasing the lever in an open position, and a means for securing the lever at a plurality of preselected points between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument having a surgical tool with at least one articulated member, a handle, a hollow elongated shaft connecting the tool and handle and having a hole in the shaft for flushing the shaft, and an actuating rod slidably disposed within the lumen of the shaft connecting the handle and the articulated member such that the handle can also be used to actuate the articulated member. Specifically, an endoscopic surgical instrument and an apparatus for attaching to endoscopic surgical instruments having a removable flush port which is in fluid communication with the lumen of the shaft and a removable collar which is removably affixed on the shaft of the instrument by the flush port such that the flush port simultaneously functions as a flush port and as a means for affixing the collar on the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hand-held surgical instrument with an improved handle, the instrument being of the type generally comprised of a handle and a tool with a body member having at least one articulated member thereon. The handle of the present invention has an elongated base, an elongated lever with an actuator arm projecting into the base and a means for connecting the lever and base at a predetermined point on the base, which mimics a natural pivot point of the surgeon's hand. A means for actuating the surgical tool by moving an actuator rod distally by closing the handle lever, means for biasing the lever in an open position, and support feet providing a stand for the instrument are also provided.

Abstract: Insufflation gas is introduced into a body cavity to be inflated. The gas flow is stopped, and the pressure in the body cavity is measured at plural, discrete intervals of time. Pressure reading values are stored in memory for a predetermined number n of the most recent pressure reading values. These stored pressure reading values are compared to one another to determine the pressure differential between the highest and lowest pressure values. New pressure readings are continually made at the time intervals, and the new pressure reading values replace the oldest pressure readings such that the most recent pressure reading values are stored in memory. Pressure measurements are continued if the maximum pressure differential in the predetermined number n of the most recent stored pressure reading values is less than the predetermined pressure differential.

Abstract: This invention relates to endoscopic surgical instruments. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for sealing the opening of an endoscopic suction/irrigation valve assembly and probe through which auxiliary endoscopic surgical instruments are inserted. The apparatus provides at least one shaft sealing surface which slidably yet also frictionally grips the shaft of an instrument inserted therethrough to hold the instrument tool at a desired position relative to the tip of the suction/irrigation probe. The invention also provides a means for attaching the sealing member to the valve assembly and a flexible seal radially extending within the lumen of the flexible sealing member for receiving of the instrument therethrough. The flexible seal can be comprised of a plurality of valve leaflets, each of which is independently secured to the luminal surface of the body portion of the sealing member.

Abstract: A surgical rasp for scraping and reshaping bones, particularly useful in cosmetic surgery, comprises a handle and a rasp surfaced insert made from a tungsten carbide attached thereto. The tooth pattern of the rasped surface is created by cutting a plurality of substantially parallel grooves into the insert and subsequently cross cutting a plurality of substantially parallel grooves thereto. Further cross-cuts can be made depending on the particular tooth pattern desired. In a preferred embodiment, the teeth so formed have a trapezoidal-shaped face and a trapezoidal-shaped back which are coextensively integral to create a cutting edge. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the teeth so formed are shaped as three-sided truncated pyramids.