Abstract: A tissue core biopsy cannula of the present invention includes a distal end which is ground in two planes which intersect each other at a first angle along a line which intersects the longitudinal axis of the cannula at a second angle. This produces a cardioid shaped opening in the distal end of the cannula. The entire edge of the sidewall is thereby inclined inward toward the distal opening and two distal cutting edges are provided. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the first angle at which the two planes intersect is approximately 60.degree. and the second angle at which the intersection of the two planes intersects the longitudinal axis of the cannula is approximately 20.degree.. In order to aid in removal of the biopsy sample from the target tissue site, the cannula according to the invention is provided with side fenestration holes and/or a split end which aids in grasping the tissue so that it can be pulled away from the target tissue site.

Abstract: Endoscopic biopsy forceps jaws having an outer edge which may be generally U-shaped, circular, or oblate circular are disclosed with teeth which extend completely around the outer edge. The teeth may take any of several arrangements. In a first arrangement, the teeth and valleys are formed with two substantially rectangular surfaces which meet at substantially horizontal vertex and nadir lines. In a second arrangement, each tooth has a vertex or peak located upward and inward from the outer edge, and is defined by a substantially triangular inner surface, a substantially quadrilateral base, and a surface which extends outward and downward from the vertex of the triangular surface to the outer edge of the jaw. Valleys between the teeth have two inclined surfaces which intersect along a line which extends inward and downward from the outer edge of the jaw.

Abstract: A hollow lumen coil for a surgical instrument is made from a continuous helically wound filament which is wound with different preload tension at different portions of the coil. When a relatively high preload tension is applied to the filament as the coil is wound, the coil will be relatively stiff. When a relatively low preload tension is applied to the filament as the coil is wound, the coil will be relatively flexible. By varying the preload tension applied to the filament while winding the coil, the coil is provided with areas of different stiffness and flexibility. The preload tension may be varied gradually or abruptly and may be varied several times along the length of the coil. Surgical instruments incorporating the coil are also disclosed. The coil is preferably made from stainless steel Type 304 wire having a diameter of approximately 0.021 inches and is wound with tensions ranging from nil to several pounds.

Abstract: A low friction sheath for endoscopic instruments is made from an extrusion grade of high density polyethylene (HDPE). The sheath is formed as an extruded polyethylene tube having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the instrument it will cover. In order to place the sheath over the instrument, a containment sleeve is placed over the sheath and a source of pressurized gas is coupled to one end of the sheath. The endoscopic instrument tube is sealed and inserted into the other end of the sheath. The polyethylene sheath is filled with gas so that it expands against the containment sleeve and the endoscopic instrument tube is pushed into the expanded polyethylene sheath. The gas is released from the polyethylene sheath and it contracts against the outer surface of the endoscopic instrument tube. The sheath is preferably made from a HDPE having a microfractured surface with 10-20 micron fractures.

Abstract: An endosurgical cutting instrument includes a hollow tube having a distal end with a radial slot and an interior deflection surface, a push rod extending through the tube and having a proximally directed sickle blade coupled to its distal end, and a manual actuator coupled to the proximal ends of the tube and the push rod for imparting relative axial movement to the tube and push rod. The sickle blade is a curved member having a sharp concave edge and a dull convex edge and is coupled to the distal end of the push rod with its sharp concave edge facing the push rod. The blade is dimensioned such that it may be substantially completely contained within the tube. The push rod is oriented so that its distal end is free to move in a radial direction as it moves axially. Movement of the push rod against the deflection surface urges the push rod in a radial direction thereby causing the sickle blade to exit the tube through the radial slot.

Abstract: An endoscopic urological biopsy forceps includes a hollow tube member with a control member extending therethrough, an actuator coupled to the proximal ends of the tube member and the control member and a jaw assembly coupled to the distal ends of the tube and control member. The jaw assembly includes a stationary jaw with an axle pin, and a movable jaw with an arcuate slot through which the axle pin extends such that the movable jaw is coupled to the stationary jaw and is movable both translationally and rotationally relative to the stationary jaw. The stationary jaw has a basket-like opening and part of the movable jaw fits inside the opening. The movable jaw has a pair of sidewalls each of which define a row of cutting teeth and a distal buck tooth which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the side walls and is angled toward the proximal end of the movable jaw.

Abstract: A double acting bipolar endoscopic scissors includes a hollow tube with an integral clevis and a bipolar push rod extending therethrough. The tube is rotatably mounted in a handle member which is provided with a manual actuation lever. The bipolar push rod includes a pair of spaced apart rods which are insulated along substantially their entire lengths by polypropylene sheaths, and which are insert molded in a distal insulating collar near their distal ends, in a proximal insulating collar near their proximal ends, and in a plurality of non-conductive cylinders therebetween. The distal collar includes a flattened distal portion and the distal ends of the rods are bent approximately 90 degrees and exit the flattened portion. A pair of scissor blades are mounted in the clevis with an axle screw and a nut and are insulated from the clevis and the axle screw. One of the scissor blades has a ceramic coating on its face to insulate it from the other scissor blade.

Abstract: An electrocautery probe includes a distal loop electrode mounted between a pair of arms which are joined at their proximal ends to an electrode lead, and a mounting sleeve for slideably coupling the probe to the guide tube of a resectoscope. The loop electrode is formed with a relatively broad lower surface defining a sharp distal edge and a sharp proximal edge. The electrode may have a triangular cross section or a cross section which is defined by an upper convex surface and a lower flat surface. A presently preferred embodiment of the electrode has a triangular cross section with a lower base surface approximately 0.039-0.043 inches wide, a distal upper surface extending approximately 0.018-0.022 inches from the base, and a proximal upper surface which extends approximately 0.063-0.067 inches from the distal upper surface to the lower base surface. The electrode thereby defines a sharp distal edge having an angle of approximately 95.degree., and a sharp proximal edge having an angle of approximately 30.

Abstract: A relay lens system for an endoscope is provided and includes three axially aligned cylindrical lens pairs, each lens pair having two substantially rod-like lenses. Each rod-like lens includes a convexo-concave polymeric aspheric lens and a concavo-convex polymeric aspheric lens which are symmetrically placed and affixed about a glass rod with flat ends by means of plano-convex optical cement lens elements. The optical cement lens elements form lens-like elements which contribute to both the color and geometric aberration correction of the lens system. When inserted as a component of an endoscope or laparoscope, the distal end of the relay lens system is axially aligned with an objective lens and the proximal end is axially aligned with a viewing eyepiece. The image formed at the distal end of the endoscope by the objective lens is transmitted by the relay lens system, which inverts once and refocuses twice before forming a final upright image in front of the eyepiece for viewing or recording.

Abstract: A vacuum powered pump includes a spring biased piston or diaphragm in a vacuum chamber coupled to a source of vacuum. When vacuum is applied to the vacuum chamber, the piston or diaphragm is moved in a first direction against the spring. A delayed action valve is coupled to the vacuum chamber to allow ambient air to enter the chamber only after the piston or diaphragm has been moved a substantial distance in the first direction. When the delayed action valve opens, air enters the vacuum chamber and the force of the entering air together with the bias of the spring propels the piston or diaphragm in a second direction opposite the first direction. The delayed action valve automatically closes and the process repeats so long as a vacuum source is coupled to the vacuum chamber. The reciprocal movement of the piston or diaphragm effects a pulsatile pumping of fluid through a fluid chamber having at least one check valve.

Abstract: An objective lens system is provided and includes a spherical sapphire lens element, an aspheric first polymeric material lens element, and an aspheric second polymeric material lens element, all of which are axially aligned. The sapphire lens element is coupled to the first polymeric material lens element to form a meniscus shaped air lens element. When inserted as a component of an endoscope, the planar surface of the sapphire lens forms a robust outer distal window at the distal end of the endoscope and the flat surface of the second polymeric material lens element is attached to the relay lens system of the endoscope. The initial image of the observed area formed at the proximal end of the objective lens system is "buried" in a higher index medium than air thus allowing for easier coupling to a relay lens system leading to lower overall f/numbers.

Abstract: Endoscopic biopsy forceps jaws having an outer edge which may be generally U-shaped, circular, or oblate circular are disclosed with a number of teeth which extend along at least a portion of the outer edge where the peaks of the teeth are located upward and inward from the outer edge. In one embodiment, each tooth is defined by a substantially triangular inner surface, a substantially quadrilateral base, and a surface which extends outward and downward from the vertex of the triangular surface to the outer edge of the jaw. Valleys between the teeth have two inclined surfaces which intersect along a line which extends inward and downward from the outer edge of the jaw. In a second embodiment, the peak of each tooth is defined by the vertex of a pyramid having four faces and valleys between these teeth have three substantially flat surfaces which intersect at a vertex which lies downward and inward from the outer edge of the jaw.

Abstract: A surgical trocar assembly includes a disposable valve assembly, a cannula assembly, and a trocar with a handle. The cannula assembly includes a cannula base having a valve assembly coupling device at its proximal end, and a cannula extending from its distal end. The disposable valve assembly has a coupling device for removably coupling it with the cannula base. The valve assembly also includes a valve body with a fluid passage communicating with the hollow cannula when it is coupled to the cannula base. A slit or flapper valve and a universal washer are mounted within the valve body and allow the insertion of the trocar or other endoscopic instruments therethrough while providing a fluid sealing of the fluid passage. The valve assembly may be provided with a side port which optionally contains an automatic valve actuated by a luer coupling. Several different valve assembly-cannula base couplings are disclosed as well as several different types of trocars.

Abstract: An endoscopic irrigation instrument includes a fluid chamber, a cannula coupled to a distal end of the fluid chamber, a tapered irrigation tube which couples at its proximal end to a fluid source and which couples at its distal end to an irrigation port of the fluid chamber, and a pinch valve which controls the flow of fluid from the irrigation source to the fluid chamber and hence through the cannula to the surgical site. The tapered irrigation tube is arranged so that it has a first relatively larger constant inner diameter and relatively larger wall thickness on its proximal end until it tapers down in both inner diameter and wall thickness at a location slightly proximal the pinch valve. By the time the tapered irrigation tube passes the pinch valve in the endoscopic instrument, the tapered irrigation tube is at a second relatively smaller constant inner diameter and a relatively smaller wall thickness.

Abstract: An electrocautery probe includes a pair of arms between which a roller electrode is mounted. The arms are joined at their proximal ends to an electrode lead and a mounting sleeve is provided intermediate of the arms and the lead for slideably coupling the probe to a resectoscope. According to the invention, the roller electrode is provided with a plurality of longitudinal surface grooves which increase surface area of the electrode and also enhance traction of the electrode. Other embodiments of the invention have eccentric convex or concave surfaces to further increase the surface area of the electrode. The electrodes according to the invention are preferably made of copper, chromium cobalt, or carbonless stainless steel. They preferably have an overall diameter of from about 0.115 to about 0.187 inches and an overall length of from about 0.110 to about 0.120 inches.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar electrocautery instrument includes a proximal actuator coupled by a tube and push rod to a pair of distal graspers. The tube is covered with an insulating shrink wrap from its distal end up to an uncovered proximal portion. A stationary jaw with an integral clevis is mounted inside the distal end of the tube and electrically contacts the inner surface thereof. The clevis holds a pair of ceramic insulators between which a movable jaw is mounted on an insulated bushing with an axle pin. The movable jaw is electrically and mechanically coupled to the push rod which is covered with an insulating shrink wrap from a point just proximal of its connection with the movable jaw to a point near its proximal end. The uninsulated proximal end of the tube is mounted in a conductive bushing which rotates within a nonconductive handle. The proximal end of the push rod extends beyond the conductive bushing and a rubber insulator is fitted between the bushing and the push rod.

Abstract: An endoscopic multiple sample bioptome includes a hollow outer member and an axially displaceable inner member extending therethrough. The proximal ends of the outer and inner members are coupled to an actuator for axially displacing one relative to the other. The distal end of the outer member is coupled to one of a cylinder having a sharp distal edge and a jaw assembly, while the distal end of the inner member is coupled to the other. The jaw assembly includes a pair of opposed, preferably toothed jaw cups each of which is coupled by a resilient arm to a base member. The arms are bent to urge the jaws away from each other. The base member is mounted inside the cylinder and axial movement of the jaw assembly and cylinder relative to each other draws the arms into the cylinder and brings the jaw cups together in a biting action.

Abstract: End effector scissor elements for laparoscopic surgical instruments are provided in the form of investment case cobalt base alloy elements. The cobalt base alloy scissor elements are homogeneous in composition. Each element has in its as-cast form an elongate portion having an integral cutting edge. At least one of the scissor elements also has a through-hole transverse to the elongate portion. The scissor elements are arranged as scissor cutting instruments by opposing their cutting edges, and by engaging the through-hole of each pivoting element with apparatus coupled to an actuating push-rod of the laparoscopic surgical instrument. The preferred cobalt base alloy is a cobalt base superalloy with at least 38% cobalt, and preferably 50% or more cobalt. The cobalt base alloy should be sufficiently hard to scratch stainless steel.

Abstract: A biological forceps device for the taking of tissue samples from a body, comprising a flexible main coil attached at its distal end to a pair of homologous cast jaws. The jaws have radially arranged teeth on their distalmost end. The jaws are opened and closed by attachment to a pair of pull wires which extend through the main coil, into a handle at its proximal end. The handle has a spool which slides about a central shaft attached to the main coil. The spool is attached to the pull wires, so that movement of the spool with respect to the central shaft, effectuates a force on the proximal ends of the levered jaws, to open and close them, appropriately.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument has a distal assembly removable from a proximal handle. The distal assembly includes a tube carrying an end effector and a push rod coupled to the end effector and slidable through the tube. The proximal handle includes a tube sleeve for receiving the tube, an actuator and a latch for coupling the push rod to the actuator. The tube sleeve is provided with a tube lock for holding the tube securely in place and the tube is provided with a circumferential groove for engaging the lock. The latch is spring loaded, hinged, and has an inclined surface for quick coupling with the push rod. The latch also has a mechanism for uncoupling the latch from the push rod. The push rod is provided with a mating tip which engages the latch so that the actuator causes reciprocal movement of the push rod within the tube to operate the end effector. An axially movable collar on the tube sleeve is used in unlatching, and in one arrangement is also used for rotating the distal assembly.