Abstract: A device for use in laparoscopic surgery includes an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end opposite thereto, and a pair of grasper components mounted to the shaft at the distal end thereof for grasping and holding organic tissues of a patient. The shaft is provided with a longitudinally extending channel having a distal end opening located essentially between the grasper components. A first actuator is operatively connected to the grasper components and mounted to the shaft at the proximal end thereof for actuating the grasper components to grasp and hold the tissues. An elongate rod member is slidably inserted through the channel in the instrument shaft, the rod having an operative tip at a distal end which is insertable between the grasper components when the grasper components are in an operatively closed, grasping configuration.

Abstract: In an endotracheal intubation method, during and after insertion of an endotracheal tube into a trachea of a patient, an image is transmitted along the endotracheal tube from a distal end to a proximal end thereof, thereby enabling an operator to determine proper placement of the endotracheal tube. The image transmitted from the distal end of the endotracheal tube may be automatically monitored by a computer. Upon determination that an incoming image is different from a stored reference image, an alert signal is automatically issued to an operator, thereby indicating that the distal end of the endotracheal tube has moved from a predetermined position within the patient's trachea. A desired image is selected upon insertion of a distal end portion of the endotracheal tube into a patient's trachea.