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: An endoscopic tissue manipulator (2) has jaw surfaces (20, 22) with peaks (24) and troughs (26) which engage when the jaws (10, 12) are closed. The jaw surfaces have no sharp edges and have a gap (75) therebetween when the jaws are closed to minimize damage to tissue (76, 78). A pursestring suture can be quickly made by passing a suture-material-carrying needle (86) along axial grooves (100, 102) formed in the jaw surfaces while the jaws are closed and holding tissue therebetween. The needle is then removed leaving the suture material in the tissue. The suture material is then tied off creating the pursestring-type suture. The jaws manipulate the compliant tissue in a single movement to create multiple folds of the tissue which can be pierced by the suture-material carrying needle in a single stroke.

Abstract: A surgical knife and a method for enhancing incisions in radial keratotomy enhancement surgery on an eye having a cornea and a central optical zone, where a generally radial incision previously made in the cornea has a wall adjacent the optical zone and is to be extended centripetally toward the optical zone. The knife comprises a knife blade with an end, and the blade has a sharpened cutting edge facing in a leading direction, a recess extending inwardly from the cutting edge and from the end of the blade, and a stopping edge and a measuring edge at the recess. The stopping edge faces in the leading direction. The measuring edge has a predetermined length and extends from the cutting edge to the stopping edge. The surgical knife is inserted into a previously made incision so that the cutting edge and the stopping edge face centripetally and the end of the blade contacts a bottom portion of the incision.

Abstract: A safety trocar is provided in which the cutting tip is withdrawn into the cannula in response to counterforce being removed from the cutting tip, e.g., by the tip entering a body cavity. The cutting tip is maintained in the exposed positioned by a mechanism associated with the obturator shaft, and is automatically withdrawn into the cannula under the force of a spring when the first mechanism is released by a second mechanism associated with the obturator. Penetration force is maintained at a minimum and safe and efficacious trocar entry is facilitated.

Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed for manipulating selected tissue in a body cavity under visual inspection. The preferred instrument includes a probe in which a blade is positioned, wherein the probe includes a lateral aperture near its distal end. The blade can be extended outwardly from the probe along a path which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe. After the blade has been extended it can be used to effectively divide tissue. An optical system can be received in the probe for viewing through the lateral aperture in the probe.

Abstract: A compression forceps with four bar linkage is formed of a stationary handle and jaw connected by a shank area; a moveable jaw; a moveable handle having the approximate shape of a bell crank with major and minor arms; and a connecting link member having first and second opposite ends. The four links are joined at pivots, with a first pivot connecting the major and minor arms of the moveable handle to the rear end of the shank area of the stationary handle and jaw. A second pivot connects the free end of the minor arm to a rear end of the moveable jaw. A third pivot connects a first end of the link to the front end of the shank area of the stationary handle and jaw. A fourth pivot connects the second end of the link to a middle area of the moveable jaw. The compound linkage thus formed operates the jaws with an increase of the relative inside angle between the jaws as the jaws close.

Abstract: A trephine device for removing anterior epithelial cells from a corneal surface, typically prior to laser excimer reshaping of a portion of the corneal surface, comprises a housing having upper and lower end portions, removal means integral to the housing, and means for activating and deactivating the removal means. The removal means may have at least one cutting surface adapted to conform substantially to the shape of the cornea, with the cutting surface contacted with the cornea at a pressure sufficient to remove the anterior epithelial cells without affecting underlying corneal tissue.

Abstract: The incidence of restenosis after angioplasty is reduced by exposing the potentially stenotic site to radiation from a source within the same vascular structure in which the site is located. The radioactive source can be mounted at the distal end of a guidewire, or in a balloon catheter, or on a balloon expansible stent, and is inserted through the vascular structure to the site to be exposed.