Abstract: Surgical instruments of the invention are provided with distal ends having a clevis and two discrete investment cast end effectors. One end effector is stationary relative to the clevis, and the other moves or rotates about a transverse pin of the clevis. The rotating end effector includes a first hole through which the transverse pin extends, and the surgical instrument includes an actuation mechanism for causing the rotating end effector to rotate about the transverse pin. The actuation mechanism preferably includes a push rod which is either directly coupled to the proximal end of the rotating end effector or coupled by a staple element. On the other hand, the stationary second end effector, while including a first hole through which the transverse pin extends, has a boss which preferably engages a hole in the clevis and is not coupled to the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A Jacobs type curved clamping or dissector element for a disposable laparoscopic instrument is provided. The Jacobs' type end effectors generally comprises first and second pivotally mounted elongate, opposed clamp members each of which has a straight base portion, an intermediate portion extending away from the axis of the base portion and a curved distal portion which angles 70 to 90 degrees relative to the intermediate portion and which extends back toward and slightly beyond the longitudinal projection of the base portion. The clamp members mate when pivotally rotated to a closed-clamp position.

Abstract: Hook scissors end effectors are provided for a laparoscopic instrument. The hook scissors end effectors generally comprise first and second blades, with at least one of the blades pivotally engaging the laparoscopic instrument. Each blade comprises an elongate straight blade member with an integral transverse hook element at the distal end of the blade member. The hook elements each extend towards the other blade member and each hook element is offset from its blade member so that a narrow recess is provided between opposing first and second hook members upon closing of the first and second blade members. The elongate straight blade members provide a straight scissors cutting action therebetween so that the contiguously adjacent portions of the blade members gradually come together in a continuous bearing contact to effect a cutting action.

Abstract: Disposable laparoscopic surgical instruments for insertion through trocar tubes are disclosed. The instruments broadly include: a hollow aluminum tube; an aluminum clevis which is formed separately from the aluminum tube with the distal end of the hollow aluminum tube crimped around the proximal end of the clevis, and with the clevis including a pivot pin; at least one end effector element having a pivot hole through which the pivot pin of the clevis is pivotally engaged, and another through-hole; an aluminum push rod extending at least partially through the hollow aluminum tube and mechanically coupled to the end effector element; and a plastic actuator engaging the proximal end of the push rod and for imparting reciprocal motion to the push rod relative to the aluminum tube, where the reciprocal motion is translated at the clevis into pivotal motion of the end effector element.

Abstract: Releasable ratchet mechanism for medical instruments such as endoscopic instruments are disclosed. The ratchet mechanism includes: a leaf spring with a locking barb which is located on a handle of the medical instrument; a ratchet on a lever arm of the medical instrument which lever arm is pivotally engaged to the handle; and a latch on the handle of the medical instrument. The latch on the handle engages and resiliently deforms the leaf spring to cause engagement of the locking barb in a groove of the ratchet when the latch is in a first position. When in a second position, the latch releases the locking barb from the ratchet groove. Preferably, the locking barb has an extending edge surface on an axis which is substantially parallel to the pivoting axis of the handle and lever arm, and the teeth of the ratchet have extending edge surfaces on axes substantially parallel to the extending edge surface of the locking barb.

Abstract: Medical instruments are provided having end effectors and end effector actuator apparatus which are rotatable relative to the end effectors. The instruments generally include a tube which is typically coupled to the end effectors via a clevis around which the end effectors pivot, a push rod extending through the tube and coupled to the end effectors, an actuator apparatus engaging the tube and the push rod and imparting reciprocal axial motion to the push rod relative to the tube, and end effectors. The actuator apparatus includes a sleeve, spring, handle, and lever arm. The sleeve is movable along the longitudinal axis of the tube against a biasing force of the spring, but is restrained from rotating about the tube. The sleeve has a locking element on its proximal end. The handle surrounds and rotatably engages the proximal end of the tube and has a locking element on its distal end which mates with the locking element of the sleeve and disengages therewith when the sleeve is advanced along the tube.

Abstract: A disposable laparoscopic single acting scissors is provided, and generally includes a hollow aluminum tube, a clevis coupled to a first end of the aluminum tube and including a pivot rod, a first scissors blade element having a pivot hole for pivotally engaging the pivot rod of the clevis, and having a through-hole in a base section of said first scissors blade element, a second scissors blade element fixedly engaging the clevis, a thin wire rod extending at least partially through the aluminum tube with a first end of the rod having a longitudinally offset terminal portion for engaging the through-hole of the base section of the first scissors blade element, and a plastic actuator engaged to the other end of the rod for imparting reciprocal motion to the rod relative to the aluminum tube which is translated at the clevis into pivotal motion of the first scissors blade element. The first scissors blade element is preferably formed from investment cast bronze.

Abstract: End effectors for an endoscopic surgical instrument are provided and comprise a pair of identical elongate longitudinally extending arms having tooth-like terminal projections which closely mesh in a closed position. A preferred embodiment of the end effectors are hermaphroditic claw extractors which grasp and pierce tissue without endangering nearby tissue.

Abstract: A Verress-type needle which has a sharpened outer needle and allows passage of a blunt inner needle within the outer needle. The Verress needle also contains a position indicator to indicate the position of the inner needle within the outer needle, so that the user knows whether the inner needle is in a protective or non-protective position. Further, a liquid level indicator demonstrates the path of liquid flow within the Verress-type needle. Finally, there is an acoustical enhancement mechanism, which allows the user to know whether the blunt inner needle has sprung forward within the abdominal cavity, to its most forward, protective position.

Abstract: An investment cast bronze end effector blade for a disposable laparoscopic surgical instrument having a push rod is disclosed. The end effector blade has an aperture for engaging either the push rod or a connecting staple which couples the push rod of the instrument to the end effector blade. The end effector blade has a body member having a sharp edge element and a base element integral with integral first and second masses of bronze. The base element is an extended portion substantially parallel to and in an offset configuration with the sharp edge portion, and includes an aperture to which the push rod or connecting staple couples. The first mass of bronze integral with the investment cast end effector blade bridges the offset configuration between the sharp edge element and the base element. The second mass of bronze integral with the investment cast blade partially surrounds the aperture of the base element and extends to the end of the base element remote from the sharp edge portion.

Abstract: A biological forceps device for the taking of tissue samples from a body, comprising a flexible main coil attached at its distal end to a pair of homologous cast jaws. The jaws have radially arranged teeth on their distalmost end. The jaws are opened and closed by attachment to a pair of pull wires which extend through the main coil, into a handle at its proximal end. The handle has a spool which slides about a central shaft attached to the main coil. The spool is attached to the pull wires, so that movement of the spool with respect to the central shaft, effectuates a force on the proximal ends of the levered jaws, to open and close them, appropriately.

Abstract: An actuator for a laparoscopic surgical instrument imparts reciprocal motion to a push rod surrounded by a hollow tube. The actuator includes a plastic housing which fixedly engages the hollow tube, and a lever which fixedly engages the push rod and pivotally engages the housing. The housing also preferably includes an integral handle. When the handle and lever are manipulated by the user such as by pivotal movement of the lever, reciprocal motion is imparted to the push rod relative to the hollow tube. The lever also includes an external unevenly surfaced portion which when frictionally engaged by a digit of a human hand will impart pivotal motion to the lever, and hence reciprocal motion to the push rod.

Abstract: A hand-held manually operable-pneumatic power assisted syringe serves for injection of fluids. The syringe includes a barrel-shaped housing having a piston slidably mounted therein between the distal and proximal ends of the housing and dividing the housing into a fluid chamber at the distal end and a gas chamber at the proximal end. A nozzle is mounted on the distal end of the housing and is provided with a discharge passageway for discharging fluid from the fluid chamber as the piston is displaced toward the distal end. A piston push rod extends from the piston and is slidable through an end cap mounted on the proximal end of the housing with the push rod serving to displace the piston in the distal direction. The push rod is hollow and has a first passageway at a location adjacent the piston for communication with the gas chamber and a second passageway at a location exterior of the housing for communication with a source of pressurized gas to thereby fill the gas chamber with pressurized gas.