Abstract: An electro-surgical instrument includes an elongated electrode probe for delivering electrical energy to tissue through an exposed, conductive distal tip and a handpiece that provides the electrical energy to the probe through a coupling to the proximal end of the probe. The coupling, which defines a longitudinal axis, is structured to provide a rigid yet removable connection between the probe and handpiece, and to allow the surgeon to connect the probe to the handpiece at a selected one of several discrete rotational index angles relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method of positioning a catheter, for example a balloon or treatment catheter. The catheter is inserted in a passage and sensed through the luminal wall to correctly determine its position. As applied to prevent hemorrhage during surgery the method involves inserting the catheter in a deflated configuration along a passage such as a blood vessel near to the operative site in a position determined by direct or video-assisted sensing from outside the passage. In the event a blood vessel is cut during surgery, the already-positioned catheter inflates a balloon to occlude the passage and stop blood flow into the injured site. In one aspect, a flow-directed catheter includes an inflatable balloon attached at its distal end and an optical fiber connected to one or more light emitting regions positioned at the tip or in the vicinity of the balloon.

Abstract: A catheter, for example a balloon or treatment catheter, is positioned to prevent hemorrhage during surgery by inserting the catheter in a deflated configuration along a passage such as a blood vessel near to the operative site in a position determined by direct or video-assisted viewing from outside the passage. In the event a blood vessel is cut during surgery, the previously positioned catheter inflates a balloon to occlude the passage and stop blood flow into the injured site. A flow-directed catheter includes an inflatable balloon attached at its distal end and an optical fiber connected to one or more light emitting regions positioned in the vicinity of the balloon. The light is emitted transversely, and preferably omnidirectionally at one or more points with a sufficient brightness to provide beacons that are readily detected through the walls of a blood vessel and permit a direct determination of the exact location of the balloon within the vessel.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a body configured for insertion into a bore of a surgical handpiece and a latch that includes a resilient member connected to the body. The resilient member has a latching structure configured to latchingly engage a surface of the surgical handpiece within the bore.

Abstract: A tissue retrieval bag has a wide mouth and folds for insertion through an incision to a body cavity to form a flat tray and receive excised tissue. The tissue is dropped onto the floor of the bag and the mouth of the bag is then drawn back through the incision, where it drapes the opening to provide a protected tunnel to the resected tissue still lying within the cavity. The bag is preferably transparent, and the enclosed tissue may be viewed endoscopically while a morcellizer is inserted through the tunnel and operated to aspirate the tissue, so that the bag is then readily withdrawn through the incision. Alternatively, an endoscope may be inserted through the tunnel directly into the bag to monitor and control morcellation. In a preferred embodiment the tissue is resected lung tissue and, a morcellizer blade is used to selectively morcellate only the parenchyma, leaving lymphatic tissue and the bronchial tree in the bag for histologic analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a surgical device includes a housing and a magnetic switching element mounted on the housing. The magnetic switching element includes a magnet, a magnetic sensor configured to produce a control signal for controlling the surgical device, and an actuator mounted on the housing for movement between a first position in which a magnetic field of the magnet is decoupled from the magnetic sensor and a second position in which the magnetic field is coupled to the magnetic sensor so as to change a value of the control signal produced by the magnetic sensor. The magnetic switching element may also include magnetically soft material positioned so that movement of the actuator causes relative movement between the magnet and the magnetically soft material.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes a rigid outer member within which is disposed a hollow inner member having rigid proximal and distal ends and a region disposed between the rigid proximal and distal ends that is relieved to render such region relatively flexible. The flexible region is integral with a portion of the proximal end disposed adjacent to the flexible region. The inner member transmits force (such as torsion) applied to its proximal end to move a cutting implement disposed at its distal end and cause it to cut tissue admitted through an opening in the distal region of the outer member. In another aspect, a region of the inner member is weakened (e.g., by relieving an integral region of the member) with respect to the remainder of the inner member to cause this region to break if the force (e.g., torque) applied to the inner member exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A surgical system, adapted to operate with at least one surgical device, has a handpiece containing a motor which is adapted to receive the surgical device. The surgical device is driven through a continuum of positions by the motor output shaft. A controller microprocessor controls the operation of the system. The motor has sensors for generating electrical position signals and the controller is responsive to input signals for defining both a stop position and a reversal position for the surgical device. As a result, the controller initiates operation of the surgical device at the so called stop position and stops operation of the surgical device so that it comes to rest substantially at the stop position. In an oscillatory mode of operation, the controller also forces reversals to occur at a reversal position dictated by the system, under the control of the user, unless a stall condition is sensed, in which case the reversal takes place as soon as possible.

Abstract: A soft tissue anchor implantation device having a bore along its longitudinal axis through which a guiding K-wire or other guiding devices may be freely drawn, and into which an anchor expanding pin may be wedged to expand the anchor body and lodge it securely in a hole in a bone. In one embodiment the anchor has an elongated body with proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is supplied with an enlarged head having an underside equipped with downwardly extending spikes for gripping soft tissue.

Abstract: A surgical system, adapted to operate with at least one surgical device, has a handpiece containing a motor which is adapted to receive the surgical device. The surgical device is driven through a continuum of positions by the motor output shaft. A controller microprocessor controls the operation of the system. The motor has sensors for generating electrical position signals and the controller is responsive to input signals for defining both a stop position and a reversal position for the surgical device. As a result, the controller initiates operation of the surgical device at the so called stop position and stops operation of the surgical device so that it comes to rest substantially at the stop position. In an oscillatory mode of operation, the controller also forces reversals to occur solely at a reversal position dictated by the system, under the control of the user.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a support member that extends distally from a base, carrying at a distal region a window defining an opening. A surgical tool at least partially disposed in the distal region is movable with respect to the window to cut tissue extending through the opening. A shield also at least partially disposed in the distal region is movable with respect to the window to at least partially cover the opening.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a focusing mechanism having a focus control element at a proximal end of the endoscope and a mechanical coupling connecting the focus control element to an image transmitting device (e.g., an electro-optical sensor or one or more optical fibres) mounted at a distal end of an elongated insertion section of the endoscope. Rotation of the focus control element moves the image transmitting device with respect to a lens assembly of the endoscope to focus the image received by the lens assembly. The focus control element may be disengaged from the mechanical coupling by pulling it axially along the length of the insertion section whereby the focusing mechanism may be easily disassembled.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument for cutting body tissue has an axially elongated support shaft which supports, at a distal end thereof, a back biting assembly. The back biting assembly has a ring-shaped jaw member pivotally supported by the support shaft at a distal end thereof for rearward pivotal movement toward and away from a closed cutting position. A fixed cutting block member, supported by the support shaft at a position proximally of the pivot axis of the ring-shaped member is aligned with and cuttingly engages the ring-shaped member to cut or punch any tissue within the opening of the pivotal jaw member. The fixed cutter member can have a serrated, parallel rib surface facing the moveable jaw member, with at least one serration being taller than the others for blocking the entry of tissue or other foreign objects into the space wherein the pivotable member rotates thereby to prevent blocking of that rotation by such foreign objects.

Abstract: A wholly digital motor-control system for surgical instruments is disclosed. The signal processor and drive-controller communicate digitally through optical fibers. The system provides fail-safe shutdown in the event that communication ceases for longer than a predetermined time, torque limitation and control of complex movement patterns.