Abstract: A surgical access device comprises a seal assembly (51) having a plurality of part circular sealing members (55) each attached to a common ring (53) which is held within the device about its longitudinal axis. In use, the sealing members are located radially inwards of the ring in a stacked relationship. When not within the device, the sealing members are movable from a position radially outwards of the ring to a position radially inwards of the ring. A seal core comprises the seal assembly and a protective member which, in use, is located on the proximal side of the seal assembly. A method of assembling the surgical access device is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for dispensing a fluid includes a housing and a dispensing shaft, which is elongate and which has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the dispensing shaft is received in the housing and the distal end defines a dispensing opening for dispensing the fluid. The dispensing shaft includes a through bore which extends along the dispensing shaft from the proximal end to the dispensing opening at the distal end. The instrument further includes a dispensing assembly and a priming assembly connected to the housing which is operable to move an amount of the fluid into the through bore of the dispensing shaft to prime the through bore with the fluid before the dispensing assembly is operated.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for minimally-invasive arthroscopic use in a constrained joint space, including a handle assembly, a shaft assembly including a shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis and a lumen therethrough and connected to handle assembly at proximal end of shaft and an operative portion including a working tip with a tool mounted thereon at distal end of shaft. Operative portion is selectively moveable between a first configuration substantially aligned with longitudinal shaft axis, and a second, deployed, configuration in which at least part of operative portion has a selectable working direction defined by the angle between tool and longitudinal shaft axis and a selectable lateral displacement defined by the linear distance between working tip and longitudinal shaft axis, measured at a central location point at which tool is mounted and perpendicular to longitudinal shaft axis, the working direction and lateral displacement being selectable independently of one another.

Abstract: An obturator includes an elongate shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate shaft having an opening at the proximal end and defining an elongate cavity which is sized and shaped to receive an optical instrument. The obturator is provided with an axially extending finger for radial movement inwardly to engage the outer surface of the optical instrument located within the elongate cavity. The finger may be a latch member with a latch element and able to be moved between a first position, in which the latch element is located relatively radially inward, and a second position in which the latch element is located relatively radially outward. With the obturator located within a cannula body, an instrument inserted into the obturator causes the latch element of the latch member to engage with the cannula to prevent relative axial movement therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for dispensing a fluid includes a housing and a dispensing shaft. The surgical instrument further includes a dispensing assembly connected to the housing, which includes a dispensing chamber for holding the fluid before it is dispensed. A container is included in which the fluid is stored before the surgical instrument is used. A transfer assembly is included and is connected to the housing which is operable to open the container and transfer the fluid from the opened container to the dispensing chamber before the dispensing assembly is operated.

Abstract: A surgical access device comprises a seal assembly (51) having a plurality of part circular sealing members (55) each attached to a common ring (53) which is held within the device about its longitudinal axis. In use, the sealing members are located radially inwards of the ring in a stacked relationship. When not within the device, the sealing members are movable from a position radially outwards of the ring to a position radially inwards of the ring. A seal core comprises the seal assembly and a protective member which, in use, is located on the proximal side of the seal assembly. A method of assembling the surgical access device is also provided.

Abstract: A retractor having an elongate portion with first and second parts each with adjacent pivotally connected segments pivotable from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein in the second configurations the adjacent segments abut each other to inhibit further movement, at least one of the parts including a control whereby a force required to move the first part from the first configuration towards the second configuration is less than the force required to move the second part from the first configuration towards the second configuration, and an actuator arranged to urge the first and second parts from the first to the second configurations at the same time.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including an elongate portion arranged, in use, to be inserted through a restricted opening into a body, the elongate portion being movable from a first configuration to a second, different configuration in which two parts of the instrument that are spaced from each other in the first configuration at least partially cross each other in the second configuration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for dispensing a fluid includes a housing and a dispensing shaft. The surgical instrument further includes a dispensing assembly connected to the housing, which includes a dispensing chamber for holding the fluid before it is dispensed. A container is included in which the fluid is stored before the surgical instrument is used. A transfer assembly is included and is connected to the housing which is operable to open the container and transfer the fluid from the opened container to the dispensing chamber before the dispensing assembly is operated.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for dispensing a fluid includes a housing and a dispensing shaft, which is elongate and which has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the dispensing shaft is received in the housing and the distal end defines a dispensing opening for dispensing the fluid. The dispensing shaft includes a through bore which extends along the dispensing shaft from the proximal end to the dispensing opening at the distal end. The instrument further includes a dispensing assembly and a priming assembly connected to the housing which is operable to move an amount of the fluid into the through bore of the dispensing shaft to prime the through bore with the fluid before the dispensing assembly is operated.

Abstract: A retaining member for a surgical instrument insert is described. The instrument insert includes a retaining member which is free to move along the shaft before the insert is attached to the handle. The retaining member comprises a resilient member integrally formed with the retaining member. The resilient member can engage the surgical instrument insert shaft and act to prevent the retaining member falling off before the insert is attached to the handle. Because the resilient member is integrally formed the cost of manufacture is reduced. In another embodiment, a surgical instrument insert is provided wherein a proximal portion of the outer shaft is manufactured from an insulating material. The insulating material can be cheaper than the aluminum conventionally used. As a further advantage this also reduces the risk of electric shock and bums when used in an electrically live environment.

Abstract: A handle for a surgical instrument used in keyhole, endoscopic, and laparoscopic surgery, having a pivoting or articulated end portion and a mechanism for indexing the pivoting movement of the end portion. The indexing mechanism allows adjustment of the angle of the end portion for improved control and tactile feedback to the user. The handle also has a mechanism for locking and unlocking movement of the end portion whereby the end portion can be pivoted or articulated to a desired angle and the locking mechanism moved to a position to prevent movement of the end portion, thus holding it at the desired angle to achieve the improved control and tactile feedback to the user.

Abstract: A retractor having an elongate portion with first and second parts each with adjacent pivotally connected segments pivotable from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein in the second configurations the adjacent segments abut each other to inhibit further movement, at least one of the parts including a control whereby a force required to move the first part from the first configuration towards the second configuration is less than the force required to move the second part from the first configuration towards the second configuration, and an actuator arranged to urge the first and second parts from the first to the second configurations at the same time.

Abstract: A cover for a laparoscope having a substantially gas-impermeable, flexible membrane defining an interior space adapted to receive at least a distal-most portion of the laparoscope; and at least one valve for allowing gas to flow into and/or out of the interior space. By providing a substantially gas-impermeable, flexible membrane, the membrane can conform to the camera in use, ensuring that the cover can be used with both rigid and flexible laparoscopes and in particular those with cameras at their distal end. The valve allows gas to flow into or out of the interior space. This may be used to remove gas from the interior space so that the cover conforms more closely to the profile of the endoscopic camera. It may also be used to check that there has been no damage to the cover during the operation, and thus no breach of the sterile barrier.

Abstract: A rod (7) is initially straight. However, the segments (3,32,34,36,38,40 and 42) are able to be moved such that there is a cross over at two locations. Segments (14) can start off with an initial straight shape and can be brought into a curved configuration. The segments are hollow and a camera (54) can be manipulated to extend out through opposed elongate openings (48) in each segment.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including an elongate portion arranged, in use, to be inserted through a restricted opening into a body, the elongate portion being movable from a first configuration to a second, different configuration in which two parts of the instrument that are spaced from each other in the first configuration at least partially cross each other in the second configuration.

Abstract: A cannula sealing apparatus includes a housing having a central axially facing aperture. A surgical instrument of 10.5 mm may seal with that aperture. Alternatively, a sealing member having an aperture that will seal with a 12 mm surgical instrument can be swung up to be aligned with the aperture. If a 10.5 mm instrument is required then a seal member can be swung up to have its seal aperture located over the central aperture. Each seal member is pivotal about a common axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing simultaneous use of at least two surgical instruments through a single incision. The apparatus includes a first part having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface engages an incision and holds the incision in an open position. The inner surface defines a passageway through the first part from the proximal to the distal ends. The apparatus also includes a second part attached to the proximal end of the first part for sealing the proximal end of the first part and having at least two ports for receiving a surgical instrument. At least one of the ports includes a ball joint to allow articulation of the port relative to the second part. The ball joint allows the orientation of the port and the surgical instrument within it to be moved easily relative to the apparatus.

Abstract: A series of integrally formed segments 24 are allowed to move relative to each other by flexure of hinges 26 that are also integrally formed with the sections.