Abstract: An adjustable length cannula which may be longitudinally extended or retracted in order to accommodate a range of body cavity wall thicknesses. The cannula includes an annular flange which abuts the skin surface to provide lateral stability to the inserted cannula and to prevent the associated trocar from being inserted too far into the body cavity. A low external profile of the cannula further contributes to its lateral stability. An adjustable length trocar for use with one embodiment of the adjustable length cannula is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable length cannula which may be longitudinally extended or retracted in order to accommodate a range of body cavity wall thicknesses. A method for inserting the cannula is disclosed, in which a guiding cannula is placed into the peritoneal cavity using the insufflation needle as a guidewire, and a screw dilator and cannula are then placed into the peritoneal cavity using the guiding cannula as a guidewire. The guiding cannula also allows visual inspection of the peritoneal cavity with an endoscope prior to insertion of the dilator/cannula in order to verify proper clearance.

Abstract: A surgical cannula having selectable gaskets which assure a fluid-tight seal around medical devices of a variety of sizes. The cannula includes a tubular member insertable into a medical patient, a two-piece housing mounted to the proximal end of the tubular member, and a movable member mounted to the housing and selectively movable between a first position and a second position across the passage. The movable member has at least two apertures through which surgical instruments may be passed.A first gasket is included in the two-piece housing to seal around the largest instruments passed through the cannula. A second gasket is included in the movable member to provide a fluid-tight seal when smaller instruments are used. When the movable member is in its first position a gasketless aperture in the movable member is aligned with the lumen of the tubular member to accommodate large medical instruments.

Abstract: An instrument for use in laparoscopy in which the handles are swept back and angled downwardly to provide an ergonomically improved device. The improved handle assembly includes two handle portions. The proximal end of each handle diverges away from the longitudinal axis of the instrument so that from a top plan view the first and second handles lie substantially on opposite sides of that longitudinal axis. The proximal ends of the handles are angled downwardly so that the plane defined by the proximal ends of the handles is non-parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis. The proximal ends of the first and second handle portions optionally are adjustably angled downwardly between about 5.degree. and about 60.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis when viewed from a side elevational view. An interchangeable sheath holder having tapered sides, and an index finger guide/rest are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical cannula with selectable seals which assure a fluid-tight fit around medical devices of a variety of sizes. The cannula includes a tubular member insertable into a medical patient and having a side wall defining a lumen through which a medical device may be inserted. The cannula also includes a housing mounted to a proximal end of the tubular member wherein the housing has a passage allowing insertion of a medical device therethrough and into the lumen. A movable member is mounted to the housing and is selectively movable between a first position and a second position across the passage. When the movable member is in its first position the passage accommodates insertion of a first medical device having a first outer cross-sectional dimension. A first valve body is mounted in the movable member and has a first opening therein corresponding in size to the outer cross-sectional dimension of a smaller second medical device, wherein the first opening is smaller than the passage.