Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical apparatus includes a laparoscopic instrument having a distal end portion insertable through a laparoscopic trocar sleeve into an abdominal cavity of a patient, the distal end portion including a plurality of at least partially opposable articulated manipulating fingers. A glove is provided having a plurality of hollow finger parts, while a position sensing system is operatively connected to the glove for detecting positions and configurations of the hollow finger parts upon insertion of a surgeon's hand into the glove and upon movement the finger parts by the surgeon during a laparoscopic procedure. An actuator assembly is operatively connected to the position sensing system and to the laparoscopic instrument for moving the manipulating fingers thereof to essentially duplicate positions and configurations of the glove finger parts in response to signals from the sensing system.

Abstract: A method for removing a polyp from inside a patient, comprises the steps of inserting an endoscopic insertion member into a patient, ejecting a cauterization loop from the insertion member, and maneuvering the insertion member and the cauterization loop from outside the patient to place the cauterization loop over a polyp inside the patient. A web member is ejected also from the endoscopic insertion member and is opened from a collapsed configuration to a substantially cup shaped opened configuration having a concave inner surface. The endoscope insertion member and the opened web member are maniipulated from outside the patient to juxtapose the concave inner surface of the web with the polyp, whereupon suction is applied to the web member to form a negative pressure zone between the web member and the polyp, thereby attaching the web member to the polyp in a vacuum seal. Then electrical current is conducted to the cauterization loop to sever the polyp from the patient.

Abstract: A procedure for endoscopically removing a polyp utilizes an elongate tubular member having a cup-shaped web member at a distal end portion and an electrically conductive cauterization loop inserted through the tubular member. Upon insertion of an endoscope assembly into a patient, the distal end portion of the tubular member and the cauterization loop are ejected from the distal end of the biopsy channel of the endoscope assembly. Upon a subsequent opening of the cauterization loop, the cauterization loop is placed over a polyp to be removed, the web member is then opened and suction is applied through the tubular member to entrain the polyp to the web member. Electrical current is conducted to the cauterization loop to sever the polyp from the patient, and the loop is closed. The severed polyp is held in the web member by suction and is subsequently removed from the patient.

Abstract: In an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument assembly, an elongate tubular instrument guide is inserted into a biopsy channel of an endoscope or laparoscope. The tubular instrument guide is provided with a distal end portion having a spring bias tending to form the distal end portion into an arcuate configuration. The tubular instrument guide is longitudinally slidable in the biopsy channel, whereby the distal end portion may be alternately maintained in a relatively straightened configuration in a distal end of the biopsy channel and moved outside of the biopsy channel to assume the arcuate configuration. An elongate flexible endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument is slidably inserted into the tubular instrument guide so that an operative tip at a distal end of the instrument may project outwardly from the distal end portion upon an ejection of at least a part of the distal end portion of the tubular instrument guide from the biopsy channel.