Abstract: A laparoscopic hook knife for use in surgical procedures includes an elongate shaft having a pistol grip handle at its proximal end and a blade support with a hook-shaped member at the distal end. The hook-shaped member has a blunt distal tip which is formed in the shape of a spade contained in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane containing the attached blade. An outlet is provided at the proximal end of the instrument for attaching a source of unipolar electric current for the purposes of creating hemostasis along the cutting path in the tissue. The shaft and blade support, except for the spade tip and at least one contact point between the blade and the blade support, are coated with an electrically insulating material to prevent any undesirable conduction of electricity. A second embodiment includes a blade member having an outer, straight cutting edge and an inner, curved cutting edge.

Abstract: A surgical needle holder particularly adapted for use in laparoscopic procedures include a first and a second jaw element which have parallel engaging jaw faces. The first jaw element is stationary relative to the needle holder and the second jaw element is moveable. A rod extends from the moveable jaw element through the body of the needle holder and is spring biased forcing the moveable jaw element into engagement with the stationary jaw element. The jaw elements are opened by the handle which includes a generally V-shaped linkage between two handle members. When the handle members are squeezed together, the linkage is compressed and forced against the spring elements forcing it into compression and opening the jaw elements. Preferably the faces of the jaw elements are at a 30.degree. angle relative to the axis. This allows a needle to be held in the jaws and inserted through the cannula in a laparoscopic procedure.

Abstract: A laparoscopic hook knife for use in surgical procedures includes an elongate shaft having a pistol grip handle at its proximal end and a blade support with a hook-shaped member at the distal end. The hook-shaped member has a blunt distal tip which is formed in the shape of a spade contained in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane containing the attached blade. An outlet is provided at the proximal end of the instrument for attaching a source of unipolar electric current for the purposes of creating hemostasis along the cutting path in the tissue. The shaft and blade support, except for the spade tip and at least one contact point between the blade and the blade support, are coated with an electrically insulating material to prevent any undesirable conduction of electricity. A second embodiment includes a blade member having an outer, straight cutting edge and an inner, curved cutting edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting a talc pleurodesis includes a thoracic tube which includes a talc chamber. At one end of said tube is a rubber bulb. In the opposite end of the tube is a tip that includes a constriction or valve. Talc is placed into the talc chamber and the tip is inserted into the chest cavity between the lung and the chest cavity. The bulb is then pressed forcing air through the tube and forcing talc into the chest cavity. The constriction prevents the talc from free flowing through the end of the tube. However, the constriction is such that under pressurized air, the talc can flow from the tip. This permits pleurodesis to be conducted with dry talc very easily and evenly under direct vision with the aid of a thorascope.

Abstract: A multiple purpose medical forceps allows for simultaneous grasping of tissue while lasing, irrigating, suctioning and cauterizing. The forceps includes a laser fiber and irrigation and suction catheters contained within a tubular housing and exiting adjacent a pair of jaws. The forceps is insertable through a cannula into a patient's abdomen for use during a laparascopy, or into any other bodily cavity where scopic surgery may be performed.

Abstract: A scopic probe adapted to dissect various tissue includes a shaft and a wire tip. The wire tip includes an arcuate portion that is at a 90.degree. angle relative to the shaft. The arcuate or loop portion then extends to a linear tip that is parallel to the shaft. The tip is used to separate tissue which in turn is hooked by the loop allowing the surgeon to visualize depth and divide the hooked tissue. This permits a surgeon to perform tasks generally requiring several instruments with only one instrument.

Abstract: An improved surgical stapler is disclosed which is particularly suitable for use in laparoscopic procedures. The stapler includes a handle and an elongated shaft and nontraumatic jaws at its distal end which are adapted to close staples. This improved stapler further includes a cutter which is adapted to cut items grasped by the jaws. The jaws are actuated independently of the stapling mechanism. This substantially improves the versatility of this device. A suctioning tube suitable for hydro dissection is also provided at the tip of the apparatus. This device permits surgeons to dissect, hydro dissect, staple and subsequently selectively cut without removing the instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus to force powdered agent, such as a thrombic agent, into the operative site of a laparoscopic procedure includes an elongated tube, a powder chamber and a mechanism to force the powder through the tube. Generally, this mechanism will be a source of pressurized air such as an air bulb, a syringe or a tank or cartridge of gas. In an alternate embodiment, the chamber can receive a tubular capsule full of the powder which is open at both ends so that air forced through the tube will force powder in the capsule through the tube and into the operative site.

Abstract: A combination laparoscopic T-tube, drain and balloon instrument comprises T-tube means, drain means, and balloon means and is insertable into a common bile duct and operable to evacuate fluids therefrom. The drain means is adjacent the T-tube means and is operable to evacuate fluids from the abdominal cavity and the balloon means is adjacent the T-tube means and drain means and is operable to fixate the T-tube within the common bile duct. To insert the instrument through a cannula and into a common bile duct, a V-tip stylet is provided which is a slender rigid rod with a V-tip on a distal end of the rod. A method is provided whereby the V-tip stylet is utilized to introduce the instrument through a cannula and into a common bile duct.

Abstract: A multiple purpose medical forceps allows for simultaneous grasping of tissue while lasing, irrigating, suctioning and cauterizing. The forceps includes a laser fiber and irrigation and suction catheters contained within a tubular housing and exiting adjacent a pair of jaws. The forceps is insertable through a cannula into a patient's abdomen for use during a laparascopy, or into any other bodily cavity where scopic surgery may be performed.

Abstract: An adjustable angle medical forceps is disclosed which has a rotatable arm to which is attached a jaw element and which provides increased surgical dexterity for suturing with curved or straight needles, for dissecting bodily organs, and for isolating nerves, arteries, and the like. The forceps includes a laser fiber and irrigation and suction catheters for lasing, irrigating, and suctioning.

Abstract: A hand-held instrument for performing a cholangiogram during a laparoscopic surgical procedure is disclosed. The instrument includes a pistol-shaped housing having a cannula mounted at a forward end. Centrally located within the cannula and extending into the housing is a hollow catheter. Mounted within the housing are an advancing mechanism, a locking mechanism, and an injection system. The advancing mechanism incrementally extends the catheter from one end of the cannula and the locking mechanism holds the catheter at the extended position. The injection system expels contrast media from a reservoir within the handle of the housing into the catheter for injection into a cystic duct. Each of the systems within the housing can be independently operated by the hand holding the instrument. The end of the cannula distal from the housing includes a threaded bulge which is rotated by a wheel extending through the housing.

Abstract: An improved surgical stapler is disclosed which is particularly suitable for use in laparoscopic procedures. The stapler includes a handle and an elongated shaft and jaws at its distal end which are adapted to close staples. This improved stapler further includes a cutter which is adapted to cut items grasped by the jaws. The jaws are actuated independently of the stapling mechanism. This substantially improves the versatility of this device. A suctioning tube is also provided at the tip of the apparatus. This device permits surgeons to staple and subsequently selectively cut without removing the instrument.