Abstract: A trocar comprising a trocar housing, a drive unit designed and configured to move the surgical instrument, a coupling unit designed and configured to couple and uncouple the drive unit to and from an external drive source, the coupling unit comprising an input shaft being supported by the trocar housing, the input shaft being designed and configured to be driven by the drive source, and a transmission/gearbox designed and configured to convert a rotational movement of the input shaft about the longitudinal input shaft axis into a translational movement of the surgical instrument within to the trocar along a longitudinal trocar direction. Also provided is a minimally invasive surgical device equipped with this trocar.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with a handle, a shaft extending from the handle into a distal direction, and an effector, preferably a (medical/surgical) forceps or a scissor, at a distal end of the shaft. The handle comprises a plurality of manual actuating members being adapted to manipulate the effector for rotating, tilting and open-closing movements. The plurality of manual actuating members comprise a first actuating member being rotatable around a rotational axis, which is a longitudinal axis of the shaft or that is parallel offset to the longitudinal axis, and a second actuating member being rotatable around a rotational axis, which is identical to the rotational axis of the first actuating member or is parallel offset thereto and being movable (axially) along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical method for operating a trocar defining an access port for a surgical instrument, using a holding arm and a number of drives. The method includes: inserting the trocar through an abdominal wall of the patient body; operating at least one drive to move the surgical instrument in the patient body; operating at least one drives to actuate an effector; and moving the holding arm to generate a pivoting movement of the trocar and surgical instrument about a pivot point defined by the abdominal wall of the patient body. The trocar is freely pivotable relative to the holding device, and the pivoting movement is caused by contact between the trocar and the abdominal wall of the patient body or an elastic membrane located on the abdominal wall of the patient body.

Abstract: A surgical electrode application instrument of the minimally invasive type, having an effector which forms a rotatable and pivotable instrument head on which are mounted two opposing branches which can be moved towards each other in the manner of tongs, at least one branch of which is formed with a part-circle-shaped notch at the end for holding an electrode wire, and which each have a sickle-shaped cross-section at least in one section. The mutually facing clamping sides in the sickle-shaped section of each branch each have a number of grooves or undercuts which are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the branch and preferably run in parallel in the transverse direction of the branch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle, an instrument shaft shaft having a distal end and a proximal end at which the instrument handle is linked, an instrument head, pivotally linked to the distal end of the instrument shaft via a hinge shaft or pins and comprising an effector rotatably supported in said instrument head around its longitudinal axis as well as a surgical tool held by said effector, and a mechanical transmission system at least partially arranged within said instrument shaft transmitting mechanical operation signals from said instrument handle to said instrument head at least for pivoting and/or rotating motions. A bending flexible as well as rotating rigid, hollow spindle is arranged bypassing said hinge shaft or pins and directly connecting said effector with the mechanical transmission system for transmitting at least rotating signals via said spindle to said effector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle, an instrument shaft shaft having a distal end and a proximal end at which the instrument handle is linked, an instrument head, pivotally linked to the distal end of the instrument shaft via a hinge shaft or pins and comprising an effector rotatably supported in said instrument head arround its longitudinal axis as well as a surgical tool held by said effector, and a mechanical transmission system at least partially arranged within said instrument shaft transmitting mechanical operation signals from said instrument handle to said instrument head at least for pivoting and/or rotating motions. A bending flexible as well as rotating rigid, hollow spindle is arranged bypassing said hinge shaft or pins and directly connecting said effector with the mechanical transmission system for transmitting at least rotating signals via said spindle to said effector.