Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting saline into an open cavity of a patient's body, and, alternatively, vacuuming fluids from said cavity, during laparoscopic surgery that provides constant feed and amplified pressure to provide a steady fluid output, in a disposable, single use handheld surgical device. The apparatus has a pump portion that includes a vacuum powered pump motor with a spring-biased valve.

Abstract: A medical apparatus which comprises a sharpened outer needle and a blunt inner needle slidingly disposed within the outer needle is provided. The apparatus 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 a non-protective position. The position indicator may be a mechanical visual indicator, an electronic visual indicator, a tactile indicator, an audible indicator or any combination of the above.

Abstract: A medical apparatus which comprises a sharpened outer needle and a blunt inner needle slidingly disposed within the outer needle is provided. The apparatus 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 a non-protective position. The position indicator may be a mechanical visual indicator, an electronic visual indicator, a tactile indicator, an audible indicator or any combination of the above.

Abstract: A coating is provided for use in lubricating an electro-cautery probe of a cauterization device to resist sticking of tissue on the electro-cautery probe. The coating is also provided to lubricate other medical instruments as well as to facilitate sliding of one instrument against another. The coating includes an amphiphilic lipid. The coating also includes an amphiphilic phospholipid, a glycerol-based lipid, a glycerol-based phospholipid, and/or a lecithin.

Abstract: A lavage for suction and removal of body tissues in a patient comprises a shield formed to include an opening, a cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is insertable and positionable in a patient's body. The cannula defines a cannula opening to permit access to the cannula interior for the capture of body tissue in the cannula interior. The cannula is positioned to lie in the opening formed in the shield. An instrument is coupled to the cannula. A shield actuator is adapted to be engaged by a user, the shield actuator being coupled to the shield to move the shield relative to the cannula between a first position covering the instrument and a second position exposing the instrument. A valve is connected to the cannula for independent actuation to control irrigation and vacuum within the cannula.

Abstract: A handheld electrocautery cutter is provided for suction, removal of body tissues and electrocauterization of tissue in a patient. The electrocautery cutter includes a distal end, a rigid cannula, a movable cutter, a cutter, a valve, a valve actuator, an electrical switch, and an electrical actuator. The rigid cannula defines a cannula interior and the cannula includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the cannula is insertible and positionable in a patient's body and the cannula defines a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior. The movable cutter cuts tissue entering the cannula opening and the cutter actuator moves the cutter. The valve is connected to the cannula to control suction flow from the cannula interior and the valve actuator actuates the valve.

Abstract: A surgical cutter is provided for removing body tissue during surgery. The surgical cutter includes a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and a side wall defining an interior region. The distal end of the cannula is positioned inside a patient's body during surgery with the proximal end situated outside of the patient's body. The side wall of the cannula is formed to include an orifice for receiving body tissue. The surgical cutter further includes a first annular wall fixed to the distal end of the cannula and an annular intermediate wall. The first annular wall is arranged to define an annular gap disposed between the first annular wall and the cannula side wall. The annular intermediate wall includes an annular distal edge sized to be received by the gap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an irrigation and suction lavage assembly for irrigation, suction, and removal of body tissue. The assembly includes a rigid conduit piece, an inner cannula, a movable outer cannula with a cutter, and an independently movable actuated valve to control irrigation and suction.

Abstract: A suction and irrigation lavage with a cannula having a distal end insertible into a patient's body, with a cutting edge for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior and a hollow cutter moveable relative to the cannula for cutting body tissue captured by the cutting edge. A conduit piece is rigidly attached to the cannula and supports the cutter for movement, and has a channel defined in communication with the hollow interior of the cutter. A source of suction is connected to: the conduit piece channel by a dual purpose valve for withdrawing body tissue cut by the cutter through the cannula and conduit piece; and a source of irrigation fluid for passing fluid into the patient. The conduit has a hand grip portion for positioning the distal end of the cannula to a desired location in a patient while at the same time allowing for a digit of the hand to actuate the valve to control passage of irrigation fluid or suction to the cannula if desired.

Abstract: A surgical device has a first cannula formed to define a first interior channel and a second cannula positioned substantially within the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second cannula is formed to define a second interior channel. Both the first cannula and the second cannula are attached to a conduit piece that defines a first passageway in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula and a second passageway in fluid communication with the second interior channel of the second cannula. A third passageway defined by the conduit piece is in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second passageway is covered by a breachable seal that permits insertion of instruments therethrough while limiting undesired fluid flow.

Abstract: A surgical device has a first cannula formed to define a first interior channel and a second cannula positioned substantially within the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second cannula is formed to define a second interior cannula. Both the first cannula and the second cannula are attached to a conduit piece that defines a first passageway in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula and a second passageway in fluid communication with the second interior channel of the second cannula. A third passageway defined by the conduit piece is in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second passageway is covered by a breachable seal that permits insertion of instruments therethrough while limiting undesired fluid flow. A knife blade can be attached to said first cannula and said second cannula can be positioned around the knife blade to shield the knife blade.

Abstract: A surgical assembly for removal of body tissue in a patient, comprising: a cutting mechanism utilizing a moveable cutter cooperating with a cutting surface on a cannula insertable and positionable at a desired location in a patient by a rigidly coupled conduit piece rigidly attached to the cannula. The conduit piece connected to a vacuum source through a valve rigidly coupled to the conduit piece for removing cut body tissue. The rigidly connected valve, conduit piece, and cannula positioned by a hand of the user to direct and locate the cutter at the desired location in the patient while at the same time permitting a digit of the hand to control the valve or to control the cutter.

Abstract: A surgical device has a first cannula formed to define a first interior channel and a second cannula positioned substantially within the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second cannula is formed to define a second interior channel. Both the first cannula and the second cannula are attached to a conduit piece that defines a first passageway in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula and a second passageway in fluid communication with the second interior channel of the second cannula. A third passageway defined by the conduit piece is in fluid communication with the first interior channel of the first cannula. The second passageway is covered by a breachable seal that permits insertion of instruments therethrough while limiting undesired fluid flow.

Abstract: A sealing mechanism for sealing a trocar used in medical procedures is provided. The cannula is configured to allow passage therethrough of medical devices. The cannula is attached to a conduit piece formed to define at least one channel. A compressible annular seal is positioned in the at least one channel to allow passage through its central aperture of a medical device. An adjustable mechanism is provided for compressing the compressible annular seal to provide an airtight seal across the least one channel. A duckbill flap valve is also positioned in the at least one channel adjacent to the compressible annular seal to receive the medical device after its insertion through the central aperture of the compressible annular seal. Included on the external surface of the cannula is structure for engaging the body wall of a patient for retaining the trocar in place.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing a cannula used in medical procedures is provided. The cannula is configured to allow passage therethrough of medical devices. The cannula is attached to a conduit piece formed to define at least one channel. A compressible annular seal is positioned in the at least one channel to allow passage through its central aperture of a medical device. A mechanism is provided for compressing the compressible annular seal to provide an airtight seal across the at least one channel. A duckbill flap valve is also positioned in the at least one channel adjacent to the compressible annular seal to receive the medical device after its insertion through the central aperture of the compressible annular seal.

Abstract: A disposable sample trap system having a cylindrical hollow sample trap body formed with a bottom end wall and an upper open end and with multiple dividers extending across the hollow of the body to divide the hollow of the body into a plurality of chambers, a cap rotatably attached to and sealing said open end of the trap body, and inlet and outlet conduit attached to an opening in the cap to allow for passage of fluid and samples through the cap opening into one of the plurality of chambers which is aligned with the opening and subsequently out of the trap, wherein there are narrow slots in the dividers to fluidly connect the inlet conduit to the outlet conduit through the plurality of chambers so that when the outlet conduit is connected to a vacuum source, the vacuum causes fluid and samples to be drawn into the one of the plurality of chambers through the inlet passage while allowing the fluid entering into the one of the plurality of chambers to pass through at least one of the narrow slots to the outle

Abstract: A surgical device has a longitudinally extending cannula formed to define an interior channel. The cannula is attached to a conduit piece that defines first, second, and third passageways in fluid communication with the interior channel of the cannula. A surgical knife is positioned within the interior channel of the cannula so that its cutting edge extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

Abstract: A tissue retrieval apparatus for laparoscopic procedures includes a longitudinally extending tube having a tip end insertible into a patient. The tip end is formed to be radially expandable in response to withdrawal of tissue into the tip end of the tube. Tissue can be withdrawn into the tip end of the tube by using graspers or other devices that can be extended to engage and hold tissue. To reduce the possibility of contamination of healthy tissue, an elastic sheath is attached to cover the tip end of the tube. The elastic sheath is formed to radially expand in response to radial expansion of the tip end of the tube during withdrawal of tissue into the tip end of the tube.

Abstract: A medical device valving mechanism comprising an elongated valve body molded to have a longitudinally extending body shaped to be gripped and securely held in either hand leaving the hand's thumb free for valve operational movement. The body has at least one fluid passageway extending longitudinally therethrough and a cylindrical opening extending transversely therethrough to intercept the at least one passageway. A cylindrical molded plastic, one-piece rotor for snug slidable and rotational insertion into the cylindrical opening to block the at least one passageway is provided. The rotor has at least one transaxial passageway which opens the at least one fluid passageway through the valve body when the rotor is in its valve opening position and which closes the at least one fluid passageway when the rotor is in its valve closing position. A thumb-actuated means is provided for rotating the rotor, the actuated means is disposed above the valve body and the rotor for convenient thumb movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for retrieval, dissection and removal of small organs and tissue from a patient's body. The instrument includes a collapsible basket defining a basket cavity. An anvil is attached to the distal end of the basket to form an impacting surface. A cutting cannula defining a cutting cavity is positioned to be reciprocatingly movable to pass through the basket cavity and impact the anvil. The cutting cannula is manually and reciprocatingly driven to pass into and through the basket cavity, cutting any tissue contained in the basket cavity. The cut tissue is then suctioned from the body for analysis.