Abstract: Medical device having a counter for recording usage. A medical tool is provided having a proximal extremity. The tool having a collar fixed thereto and a cap. The cap includes a part which requires replacement and/or cleaning for each use of the tool. A detent assembly is carried by the cap and the collar and includes a rotatable counter wheel and a mechanism for causing advancement of the counter wheel from one number to the next number when the cap is separated from the collar so that the counter wheel is advanced by one increment each time the cap is removed and/or replaced on the collar to give an indication of the number of times that the device has been used.

Abstract: An autoclavable electrical switch assembly for use with a medical device having electrical functions comprising a flexible substrate formed of an insulating material and having a first and second surfaces, and having outer margins, first conductive means adherent to the first surface and forming a pattern surrounding an area of the surface and a contact disposed within the area, second conductive means adherent to the second surface and forming a ground plane and at least one, feedthrough means forming a connection between the contact on the first surface and the ground plane on the second surface, a snap dome of a conductive material overlies the contact and engages the pattern surrounding the area, flexible cover means disposed over the first and second surfaces and means for forming a hermetic seal between the outer margins so that the dome is hermetically sealed, said cover means and said hermetic seal being capable of withstanding repeated autoclaving.

Abstract: Medical device having a counter for recording usage. A medical tool is provided having a proximal extremity. The tool having a collar fixed thereto and a cap. The cap includes a part which requires replacement and/or cleaning for each use of the tool. A detent assembly is carried by the cap and the collar and includes a rotatable counter wheel and a mechanism for causing advancement of the counter wheel from one number to the next number when the cap is separated from the collar so that the counter wheel is advanced by one increment each time the cap is removed and/or replaced on the collar to give an indication of the number of times that the device has been used.

Abstract: Hand-held endoscopy assembly for use in performing a medical procedure comprising a hand-held endoscopy device having a bore extending therethrough. A surgical tool is removably mounted in the bore and is retained in a fixed longitudinal position within the device while permitting rotation of the tool in the device. A valve in the bore establishes a substantially fluid-tight seal between the bore and the tool.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical grasper for use by the human hand comprising a handle adapted to fit into the human hand. A rigid tubular member having proximal and distal extremities is provided and has the proximal extremity secured to the handle in a predetermined position longitudinal of the handle. A push rod having proximal and distal extremities is slidably mounted in the tubular member. A stop is carried by the handle. A knob assembly is slidably mounted on said tubular member and is movable from a first position in engagement with the stop and a second position away from the stop longitudinal of the tubular member. The knob assembly includes a plunger slidably mounted on said tubular member. A pin and slot mechanism couples the plunger to the proximal extremity of the push rod and permits limited movement of said push rod longitudinally of the tubular member while preventing rotational movement of the plunger relative to the tubular member.

Abstract: A clip applier tool comprising an elongate tubular member having a bore extending therethrough and having proximal and distal extremities. A push rod is slidably mounted in the bore and has proximal and distal extremities. An actuator is mounted in said bore in said tubular member. The actuator means is connected to the distal extremity of the push-pull rod. First and second clip applier jaw members are mounted in the bore in said tubular member and have proximal and distal extremities. A pivotal connection connects the proximal extremities of the jaw members to the distal extremity of the actuator.

Abstract: A retaining ring comprising a body of elastomeric material. The body has a wall with a generally cylindrical configuration and a longitudinal axis. The body also has an outer cylindrical surface and first and second end surfaces. The body has a bore extending therethrough along the longitudinal axis and through the first and second end surfaces with the wall of the body defining the bore. A plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart indentations are formed in the wall of the body and extend outwardly through the outer surface between the first and second ends.

Abstract: Introducer assembly for use on the skin of a patient overlying a cavity to be formed in the patient permitting the introduction of an introducer tube having a distal extremity and having a trocar therein having a distal extremity which extends beyond the distal extremity of the introducer tube. The assembly comprises a sleeve having proximal and distal extremities and having a flow passage extending therethrough from the proximal to the distal extremities. A flange having inner and outer margins is provided. The outer margin has a bottom side. An adhesive is secured to the bottom side and is adapted to make a sealing engagement with the skin of the patient. A fluid-tight seal is formed between the inner margin of the flange and the sleeve. A membrane extends across the sleeve and forms a fluid-tight seal with respect to said sleeve. The membrane is formed of a material and a thickness which can be readily punctured by the trocar.

Abstract: Surgical scissors having first and second blades with cutting edges. A housing is provided. The first and second blades are pivotally mounted in the housing to permit movement between open and closed positions. First and second linkage arms are provided and are pivotally connected to the first blade and to the second blade. A push-pull rod is slidably mounted in the housing and has a distal extremity. The distal extremity of the push-pull rod is pivotally connected to the first and second linkage arms for moving the blades between open and closed positions as the push-pull rod is moved rectilinearly.

Abstract: Needle holder having an elongate tubular member serving as a shaft and having a bore extending therethrough and having proximal and distal extremities. A push-pull rod is slidably mounted in the bore in the tubular member and has proximal and distal extremities. First and second jaws are carried by the distal extremity of the elongate tubular member. The first jaw is secured to the distal extremity of the tubular member in a fixed position. The second jaw is connected to the push-pull rod to cause the second jaw carried thereby to be moved between a closed needle-clamping position and an open position upon relative movement between said push-pull rod and said tubular member. One of said first and second jaws consists of first and second jaw portions having a slot extending therebetween. The other of said first and second jaws overlies and is disposed in the slot.

Abstract: Valve construction for use with an introducer assembly having a tubular member with a valve housing at one end thereof for receiving the valve construction to permit a medical instrument to be introduced therethrough. The valve construction is comprised of a body formed of an elastic material. The body has a cylindrical wall with an axially-extending bore. The body is provided with a first planar wall formed integral with the cylindrical wall and extending across the first end of the bore. The first wall has a centrally-disposed opening therein aligned with the bore. The body is also provided with a second wall formed integral with the cylindrical wall and extending across the second end of the bore. The second wall has a slit therein extending diametrically of the bore to provide first and second leaflets.

Abstract: Atraumatic grasping device for use in surgery, having an elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities. An insert is carried by the distal extremity of the tubular member and forms a slot opening into the tubular member. First and second elongate substantially parallel spring members having proximal and distal extremities. The first and second spring members extend through the tubular member and through the slot so that the distal extremities of the first and second spring members extend beyond said slot. The distal extremities of the first and second spring members are bowed apart from each other. First and second jaws formed on the distal extremities of the first and second spring members.

Abstract: A device for the collection and removal of body tissue and/or parts in laparoscopic surgery having an elongated tubular member with proximal and distal extremities and a bore extending therethrough. A sack formed of a flexible material with an opening therein is secured by a rod inside the tubular member to the distal extremity of the elongated tubular member. A drawstring is secured to the sack and circumscribes the opening of the sack and controls the opening and closing of the sack. The drawstring extends into the bore and is connected to a slide mounted around the tubular member. A handle is secured to the proximal extremity of the tubular member and finger rings are secured to the proximal extremity of the slide. Movement of the slide towards the distal extremity of the tubular member opens the sack once inside the patient for receiving the tissue or body part, while movement of the slide in a distal direction causes the sack to close to capture the tissue or body part.

Abstract: In an introducer assembly for introduction into a cavity of a patient having skin overlying the cavity and permitting the introduction of an instrument therethrough, and elongate tubular member having a flow passage extending therethrough and having proximal and distal extremities, a flange having top and bottom sides and having an inner margin with an opening therein through which the tubular member extends with the proximal extremity of the tubular member being disposed on the bottom side of the flange, releasable retaining means engaging the inner margin of the flange and the tubular member for forming a fluid-tight seal between the inner margin of the flange and the tubular member and permitting adjustment of the tubular member longitudinally in said opening, said valve means carried by the proximal extremity of the tubular member for inhibiting the flow of fluid through said flow passage from the distal extremity to the proximal extremity and permitting instruments to be inserted through the same while m