Abstract: A surgical dilator extractor is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a trocar cannula and expanded, forming a tissue receiving space, at the distal end. The tissue that is to be extracted is then manipulated into the space with a grasper inserted through a lumen in the dilator extractor. The tissue is then removed from the cavity by the surgeon applying a force onto the dilator extractor that insures the elongation of the tissue and temporarily dilates the entry wound to the extent necessary for the tissue to be removed. Alternative embodiments of the surgical dilator extractor and related instrument tool sets and methods for the use thereof also are disclosed.

Abstract: An illumination system for an endoscopic camera has a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to a substrate. The substrate is adapted for attachment at the distal end of the endoscope. Each LED is contained within a reflector cup which directs the angular dispersion of emitted light toward the object to be viewed.

Abstract: The ligation clip applicator and ligation clip design are provided which are particularly applicable to placement of a surgical ligation clip during a laparoscopic surgical procedure. The clip includes a support member and a clamping arm having enlarged portions thereon. The applicator device has a magazine including first and second longitudinally extending partially closed channels within which the enlarged portions of the support member and the clamping arm are received with the clip held in an open position. First and second articulated jaws are attached to the magazine and have first and second channel extensions therein aligned with the first and second channels of the magazine, so that a clip can be received from the magazine in the jaws with the first and second enlarged portions of the support member and the clamping arm being received in the first and second channel extensions of the jaws. The channel extensions include first and second releasing openings.

Abstract: The ligation clip applicator and ligation clip design are provided which are particularly applicable to placement of a surgical ligation clip during a laparoscopic surgical procedure. The clip includes a support member and a clamping arm having enlarged portions thereon. The applicator device has a magazine including first and second longitudinally extending partially closed channels within which the enlarged portions of the support member and the clamping arm are received with the clip held in an open position. First and second articulated jaws are attached to the magazine and have first and second channel extensions therein aligned with the first and second channels of the magazine, so that a clip can be received from the magazine in the jaws with the first and second enlarged portions of the support member and the clamping arm being received in the first and second channel extensions of the jaws. The channel extensions include first and second releasing openings.

Abstract: The ligation clip applicator and ligation clip design are provided which are particularly applicable to placement of a surgical ligation clip during a laparoscopic surgical procedure. The clip includes a support member and a clamping arm having enlarged portions thereon. The applicator device has a magazine including first and second longitudinally extending partially closed channels within which the enlarged portions of the support member and the clamping arm are received with the clip held in an open position. First and second articulated jaws are attached to the magazine and have first and second channel extensions therein aligned with the first and second channels of the magazine, so that a clip can be received from the magazine in the jaws with the first and second enlarged portions of the support member and the clamping arm being received in the first and second channel extensions of the jaws. The channel extensions include first and second releasing openings.

Abstract: A process is provided for surface treatment of surgical operating instruments so as to provide an extremely effective gripping surface of the instrument which very effectively grips a patient's tissue. Particularly the process is applicable to surgical ligation clips and clip appliers, which are used to ligate a blood vessel or the like. Operating instruments such as ligating clips and clip applicators produced with the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes an instrument having an operative zone defined thereon for physical engagement with a patient's body tissue. The instrument has a foraminous outer shell disposed in the operative zone. The foraminous outer shell has a multitude of relatively uniformly dispersed, small perforations defined therein. The instrument has a fluid supply channel communicated with the perforations for diffusing a flushing fluid out of the perforations throughout the operative zone so that adhesion of tissue to the operative zone of the instrument is reduced. The flushing fluid preferably includes a cytotoxic solution and/or an anti-adhesive solution. Additionally, or alternatively, the outer surface of the instrument may be permanently coated with a cytotoxic material and/or an anti-adhesive material.

Abstract: A surgical irrigation apparatus includes a disposable assembly and a reusable assembly. The disposable assembly includes an irrigation fluid pump and a handpiece having a supply passage for delivery of irrigation fluid to the surgical site. The re-usable assembly includes a motor and a power source. The power is transferred from the motor to the pump with a magnetic coupler or other suitable device. The re-usable assembly is isolated from irrigation fluid in the disposable assembly. All of the electrical components of the apparatus are contained in the re-usable assembly. There are no electrical components in the disposable assembly. A sterile disposable assembly may be assembled in the operating room with an unsterilized re-usable assembly.

Abstract: A system for generating electronic and printed medical records provides automatic integration of captured video still images and voice dictated information concerning the image. A voice recognition module allows the system to respond to voice commands and automatically transcribes the dictated text into a word processing document.

Abstract: The clip applier of the current invention solves the problems of prior art tools by incorporating a pre-clamp mechanism, the function of which is to pre-clamp the vessel to be ligated to a dimension such that the center leg of the spring of the ligation clip need be lifted only slightly. In this manner the spring clip can be slid over the smaller pre-clamped dimension. This insures that the clip spring material will remain within its elastic limit while allowing the tool to maintain a low profile for use in endoscopic surgery, even on large diameter vessels.

Abstract: The clip applier of the current invention solves the problems of prior art tools by incorporating a pre-clamp mechanism, the function of which is to pre-clamp the vessel to be ligated to a dimension such that the center leg of the spring of the ligation clip need be lifted only slightly. In this manner the spring clip can be slid over the smaller pre-clamped dimension. This insures that the clip spring material will remain within its elastic limit while allowing the tool to maintain a low profile for use in endoscopic surgery, even on large diameter vessels.

Abstract: A cordless electrocautery unit for use in surgical procedures is described in which the unit is battery operated and therefore cordless. The unit is microprocessor controlled and provides for automatic feedback and control of the output power, in accordance with one of multiple power levels selected by the user.

Abstract: A system for battery identification and interruption of power to a battery powered device includes a battery pack having an encoder in which battery identification data is digitally stored. A decoder incorporated in the battery powered device receives and processes battery identification data and compares it to preprogrammed device identification data.

Abstract: A surgical ligation clip is preformed from a continuous piece of metal wire to assume a shape having a reduced cross-sectional area. A clamping arm of the clip is alternately moveable from a clamped to an unclamped position above a vessel support member. A tension coil joins the vessel support member to the clamping arm and provides the hemostatic clamping force from the clip to the targeted blood vessel.

Abstract: A stereoscopic video camera system uses a single objective lens system mounted at the distal end of a surgical endoscope. An electronic shutter is disposed within the optical path between the lens and a video camera/sensor. The shutter has left and right optical zones which are switched between opaque and light transmissive states in response to a drive signal which is synchronized both with the camera/sensor and with stereoscopic viewing glasses having switchable left and right viewing lenses.

Abstract: A sequential video imaging system uses a video sensor having full frame whereby image data is moved from sensor image elements to a video amplifier. The object being viewed is sequentially illuminated with colored light sources to produce RGB or luminance and chrominance video signals. A digital signal processor includes data buffering and summing circuits.

Abstract: A sequential video imaging system uses a video sensor having interline architecture whereby image data is moved from sensor elements to adjacent interlined storage elements. The object being viewed is sequentially illuminated with colored light sources to produce luminance and chrominance video signals. Binning of image data corresponding to low level color signals is carried out in the sensor. A digital signal processor includes data buffering and averaging circuits whereby the camera head and base unit can be operated asynchronously.

Abstract: A system for recycling and tracking of reusable surgical instruments includes a remotely located instrument sterilization and maintenance facility, electronically linked to a shipping carrier and a hospital facility. Orders for surgical instrument kits needed during a predetermined surgical schedule are placed electronically from the hospital site and transmitted to a host computer at the remote sterilization and maintenance facility. Instrument kits are stored at the sterilization and maintenance facility which also receives used instrument kits from the hospital. Decontamination, inspection, repair, recycling, and sterilization stations at the sterilization and maintenance facility allows for rapid, efficient, and low cost maintenance and repacking of used instruments for reuse at the hospital.

Abstract: A color video processing method in which three primary color signals are obtained sequentially from a single monochrome photo sensor array. RGB signals are obtained by twice delaying the output of the sensor by non-color specific delays equal to a standard field period, and matrix switching the sequential RGB signals to their respective outputs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety trocar which requires less insertion force to penetrate the abdominal wall than the prior art devices. The trocar has a blade with a shaft and body. The body includes a pointed tip which makes the initial incision in the abdominal wall of the patient. The body of the blade has a shoulder which is of a reduced size as compared to the body thereby creating a stepped relationship between the body and the shoulder of the blade. The thickness of the step formed by the relationship of the diameter of the body and shoulder is substantially the same thickness as the wall thickness of the cylindrical cannula that fits over the blade. The inside diameter of substantially the entire length of the cannula is substantially the same as the outside diameter of the body of the blade.