Abstract: An automated surgical instrument provides a housing having a linear drive for moving a cannula toward and away from the housing. The housing may be supported stationarily while the cannula is driven to a predetermined location in the body through an incision. The end of the cannula includes a surgical tool or laparoscope to be positioned within an area undergoing an operation. Surgical tools can be actuated automatically by means of an actuator positioned in the housing and having a linkage extending through a lumen of the cannula to the tool. Both the actuator and the linear drive motor can be controlled by means of switches located on the housing or at another remote location.

Abstract: An automated surgical instrument for performing minimally-invasive surgery comprises a rigid cannula having a lumen for receiving a surgical tool at the distal end thereof. The tool can comprise a variety of linkage-operated tools, such as a grasper, clamp or scissor. The tool can also comprise an optical or gas channel. The cannula is supported on a ball-and-socket-type swivel assembly that pivots freely along orthogonal axes. The swivel is mounted on a movable arm assembly that extends and retracts. The arm assembly is mounted to a base that moves the arm assembly from side to side. Pivoting of the cannula occurs in response to movement of the arm assembly along the base and through extension and retraction of the arm.

Abstract: An automated surgical instrument provides a housing having a linear drive for moving a cannula toward and away from the housing. The housing may be supported stationarily while the cannula is driven to a predetermined location in the body through an incision. The end of the cannula includes a surgical tool or laparoscope to be positioned within an area undergoing an operation. Surgical tools can be actuated automatically by an actuator positioned in the housing and having a linkage extending through a lumen of the cannula to the tool. Both the actuator and the linear drive motor can be controlled by means of switches located on the housing or at another remote location.