Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a swiveling end effector at a distal portion of the surgical instrument, the swiveling end effector having first and second jaws, the first jaw movable between open and closed positions relative to the second jaw, wherein the first jaw is actuatable by application of a force at a proximal portion of the surgical instrument, and wherein the surgical instrument is configured to deliver a torque at the first jaw when moving between the open and closed positions; and a swiveling actuator coupled to the swiveling end effector and operative to swivel the swiveling end effector; wherein the surgical instrument is operable to deliver a substantially same torque at the first jaw when moving between the open and closed positions, regardless of a swivel position of the swiveling end effector relative to the swivel axis.

Abstract: A tissue removal apparatus (20) is provided that includes a retrieval bag (30) having an opening (32) for receiving a resected tissue specimen (22) within a patient's body (24). An electrosurgical slicing wire (34) includes a slicing segment (36) detachably coupled to a wall (38) of the retrieval bag (30), and a pulling segment (40) free of the wall (38) and extending out of the opening (32). The slicing segment (36) winds around a central longitudinal axis (46) of the retrieval bag (30) at varying locations along the central longitudinal axis (46). Pulling the pulling segment (40), during application of RF electrosurgical power when the resected tissue specimen (22) is within the retrieval bag (30), detaches successive longitudinal portions of the slicing segment (36) from the wall (38) and slices the resected tissue specimen (22) within the retrieval bag (30). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is described including a tool, the tool including a shaft having a distal portion that is sized and shaped to be inserted into a subject during a surgical procedure. The tool includes a tissue-treatment tip, at the distal portion, that defines a beam deflector. An optical fiber is positioned to emit laser energy into the beam deflector. The beam deflector has a deflector surface, a first portion of which is shaped and positioned to reflect the laser energy toward a tissue-treatment tip surface, and a second portion of which is configured to absorb the laser energy and thermally conduct the absorbed energy to the tissue-treatment tip surface. The tissue-treatment tip surface is configured to thermally conduct the absorbed energy to the tissue by contacting the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A tool has a handle and an elongate shaft that extends distally from the handle. A distal portion of the shaft is inserted into a subject during a surgical procedure. An optical fiber delivers laser energy to a tip at the distal portion of the shaft. The tip includes a mechanical cutting mechanism including a moving part that absorbs the laser energy, thermally conducts the absorbed energy to tissue that is disposed between the moving part and another part, and moves with respect to the other part in order to cut tissue that is disposed between the parts using a mechanical force that is lower than a mechanical force that would be required to cut the tissue in the absence of the laser energy. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A tool has a handle and an elongate shaft that extends distally from the handle. A distal portion of the shaft is inserted into a subject during a surgical procedure. An optical fiber delivers laser energy to a tip at the distal portion of the shaft. The tip includes a mechanical cutting mechanism including a moving part that absorbs the laser energy, thermally conducts the absorbed energy to tissue that is disposed between the moving part and another part, and moves with respect to the other part in order to cut tissue that is disposed between the parts using a mechanical force that is lower than a mechanical force that would be required to cut the tissue in the absence of the laser energy. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A tool has a handle and an elongate shaft that extends distally from the handle. A distal portion of the shaft is inserted into a subject during a surgical procedure. An optical fiber delivers laser energy to a tip at the distal portion of the shaft. The tip includes a mechanical cutting mechanism including a moving part that absorbs the laser energy, thermally conducts the absorbed energy to tissue that is disposed between the moving part and another part, and moves with respect to the other part in order to cut tissue that is disposed between the parts using a mechanical force that is lower than a mechanical force that would be required to cut the tissue in the absence of the laser energy. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A tool has a handle and an elongate shaft that extends distally from the handle. A distal portion of the shaft is inserted into a subject during a surgical procedure. An optical fiber delivers laser energy to a tip at the distal portion of the shaft. The tip includes a mechanical cutting mechanism including a moving part that absorbs the laser energy, thermally conducts the absorbed energy to tissue that is disposed between the moving part and another part, and moves with respect to the other part in order to cut tissue that is disposed between the parts using a mechanical force that is lower than a mechanical force that would be required to cut the tissue in the absence of the laser energy. Other embodiments are also described.