Abstract: An improved wrench for use in a surgical setting in which a surgical fastener, such as a pin, is supported at a mid-section as well as its base end. The invention uses a tool which has a handle and a mating portion for the surgical pin. This mating portion may be a pong to engage a slot at the pin's base, a hexagonal head to surround the pin's hexagonal shaped base, a semi-circle, or many other such mechanisms well known to those in the art. A sleeve member extends from around the mating portion to extend to a mid-section of the surgical pin to provide sliding support for the surgical pin.

Abstract: An endoscope and tool therefore which provides a shroud for the protection of the viewing end of an endoscope. The shroud is curved and extends forward of and around the viewing end of an endoscope. This configuration vastly reducing tissue traumatization as tissue is "guided" about the smooth curved outer edges of the shroud. Therefore, the surgeon may use the shroud to separate tissue to improve the view through the endoscope without fear of injuring the patient. Further, even though the shroud extends around the viewing end of the endoscope, viewing remains unobscured as there is a cut-away section in the shroud through which the endoscope receives its image. Additionally, the shroud is capable of being equipped with surgical tools to assist in slicing, cauterizing, and biopsy removal, thereby permitting the surgeon to perform more activities and reducing the need for an assisting surgeon.

Abstract: A balloon dissector for use in surgery in which the balloon is constructed of a substantially non-elastic material (such as polyester film) so that its volume and shape are predetermined at the time of manufacture. With the ability to control the shape during manufacture, the dissector is manufactured for specific applications within the patient so as to follow naturally occurring lines within the body. As such, the dissector is especially useful for such applications as the forehead (for brow-lifts) and the breasts (for breast augmentation). Dissection by the balloon is either through a blunt dissection or a sharp dissection through selective manufacture of the balloons edges. Edges, usually formed at the intersection of two sheets of material, can be either blunt (folded inward) or sharp (folded outward and hardened). In this manner, the balloon dissector is specifically designed for certain applications.

Abstract: Improved exploratory, pre- and post- surgical techniques are now available due to an improved endoscope which uses a housing with a window member thereon. Due to the window's angle and the air-pocket between the viewing tip of the endoscope and the window, exceptional vision is provided without the need to create artificial chambers within the body. Should the window become occluded with debris, the surgeon can easily clean the window by wiping it against a nearby organ or muscle to dislodge the debris. Since no inflating gas is used, techniques employing the endoscope create minimal trauma and are ideally suited for exploratory surgery, pre-surgical inspection of the operation site, and post-surgical inspection to assure the operation obtained the desired results.

Abstract: A surgical technique in which a tumescent solution of local anaesthetic and a vasoconstrictor in injected into the site via a cannula. Using the same cannula, the surgeon aspirates fat and tissue from the site, depositing the aspirated fat and tissue into the reservoir/bottle from which the tumescent solution was first withdrawn. Preferably, both the injection and the aspiration is accomplished with the assist of a single peristaltic pump. By reversing the headstock of the peristaltic pump, and modulating the speed of rotation, the peristaltic pump both injects and aspirates the site. The aspirated fat and tissue is kept in a closed cycle so that contamination is minimized and exposure to the air by the fat is prevented; thereby permitting the aspirated fat to be used elsewhere for body contouring.

Abstract: An improved endoscope assembly for exploratory and general surgery which permits exceptional vision while eliminating the requirement of both washing of the lense and expansion of the body cavity. Using a standard endoscope, a housing is placed over the end of the endoscope. The housing is equipped with a window for viewing through by the endoscope's viewing tip. The window is arranged at an angle different from the angle of the viewing tip so that light is reflected back into the housing, and not into the viewing tip. The interior of the housing is coated with a light absorbing material to eliminate back-scattering of light into the viewing tip of the endoscope which degrades the endoscope's vision. An air-chamber between the viewing tip of the endoscope and the window assures the crispest vision possible. Further, fogging of the window is eliminated through the use of heating wires, dry gases, or the like so that the endoscope is also useful for cadaver lessons.

Abstract: An improved medical tool which combines tumescent anesthetic solution with lipoplastic. Using a peristaltic pump and a cannula, the surgeon directs the tumescent solution into the area of concern. The tumescent solution provides both a local anesthetic as well as a vasoconstrictor. The solution eliminates the need for a general anesthetic, thus eliminating problems associated therewith, and the solution causes the blood vessels to constrict, reducing the amount of blood loss during the procedure. Once the solution has had an opportunity to perform its function, the surgeon reverses the direction of the peristaltic pump and removes the fat and tissue through the same cannula used for the tumescent portion of the operation. Since the suction process is performed by the peristaltic pump (as opposed to manually by the surgeon), the cannula is reduced in size to a highly versatile and tactile instrument providing highly improved results.