Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a body portion, and a tool mechanism in which a pivoting handle pivots about a stationary handle to open and close the tool mechanism. The instrument includes a rotatable body portion, in which a rotation knob is provided on the instrument at the stationary handle so that the user may rotate the body portion, and consequently the tool mechanism, using a single hand. Furthermore, an electrocautery connection is provided which is positioned out of the line of sight of the surgeon, so that the surgeon may have an unobstructed view to the surgical site. The pivoting handle is provided with a rotatable connection point for connecting the slidable rod member to essentially eliminate radial deflection of the rod within the outer tube during opening and closing of the handles. The tool mechanism may include grasping jaws having rounded, interdigitating teeth for grasping and securely holding tissue or organs for removal through a cannula.

Abstract: An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument is disclosed having a handle assembly including a barrel portion, stationary handle and a pivoting handle. A body assembly includes a pair of coaxial members attached at one end to the handle assembly, and an inner rod member slidable within an outer tube member in response to movement of the pivoting handle of the handle assembly. The body assembly terminates at an end remote from the handle assembly in a reciprocatingly movable tool mechanism. A first toothed ratchet mechanism is associated with the pivoting handle, and a second toothed mating ratchet mechanism is operatively associated with the first toothed ratchet mechanism for selectively locking the first toothed ratchet mechanism and the pivoting handle in one of a plurality of selectable positions to thereby position the inner rod member and the movable tool mechanism in predetermined selectable positions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed for use in a wide variety of roles including grasping, dissecting, clamping, or retracting materials or tissue during surgical procedures performed either in open surgery or within the abdominal cavity. The surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a tubular body portion extending from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis, and tool structure associated with a distal portion of the tubular body portion. A rotation assembly is provided for effectuating rotation of the tool structure about the longitudinal axis of the body portion. Rotation locking structure is provided to lock the rotation assembly at a predetermined orientation such that it cannot be rotated with respect to the handle.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument for aspiration and irrigation of a surgical site is disclosed. Connection ports for irrigation fluid and a suction source are provided which communicate with a single lumen cannula which transports both the irrigation fluid and the suction pressure to the surgical site. A valve mechanism having a novel valve stem and valve arrangement is also disclosed for providing higher pressure capabilities for the instrument. In one embodiment, the single lumen cannula is provided with a sliding sleeve to vary the pressure of the irrigation fluid to provide for high pressure application of the irrigation fluid to perform hydrodissection. The aspiration-irrigation instrument may also include electrocautery capabilities and a detachable cannula assembly for interchanging cannulas having different working tool members. In one embodiment, a sliding outer sleeve is also provided for selectively exposing the working tool members.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying surgical clips which includes provisions for applying a partially closed clip to ducts or shunts during a surgical procedure such as cholecystectomy procedures. The apparatus includes means for effecting a partial closing stroke of the handle mechanism to correspond to a partial closure of the jaw members, and permits a partial opening stroke to release the partially closed clip in the jaw mechanism. Other features of the invention include means for preventing over advancement of a clip to the jaw mechanism, means for cradling the clip as it is advanced from the clip supply to the jaw mechanism, means for preventing splaying of the jaws in the event of a clip-over-clip application, and a novel rotation collar. The instrument of the present invention provides the surgeon with visual, audible, and tactile indication of the positioning of the jaw members to effect the application of a partially closed clip.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is disclosed which includes a handle assembly having a barrel portion, a stationary handle depending from the barrel portion, and an actuating handle pivotally associated with the barrel portion. An elongate body assembly having opposed proximal and distal end portions and an interior bore extending therethrough is releasably engaged within the barrel portion of the handle assembly. An actuation assembly is provided and includes an elongate control shaft dimensioned to extend through the interior bore of the body assembly. A jaw housing is attached to a distal end portion of the control shaft, and a pair of jaw members are supported in the housing. The jaw housing is releasably engaged to the body assembly within the interior bore thereof, and a proximal end of the control shaft is releasably engaged to the actuation handle.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a body portion, and a tool mechanism in which a pivoting handle pivots about a stationary handle to open and close the tool mechanism. The instrument includes a rotatable body portion, in which a rotation knob is provided on the instrument at the stationary handle so that the user may rotate the body portion, and consequently the tool mechanism, using a single hand. Furthermore, an electrocautery connection is provided which is positioned out of the line of sight of the surgeon, so that the surgeon may have an unobstructed view to the surgical site. The pivoting handle is provided with a rotatable connection point for connecting the slidable rod member to essentially eliminate radial deflection of the rod within the outer tube during opening and closing of the handles.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for use in endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures. The instrument includes a handle portion, an endoscopic portion extending from the handle portion, an articulating section pivotably connected to a distal end portion of the endoscopic portion, and a retractor assembly operatively associated with the articulating section. Structure is provided for manipulating the articulating section relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic portion within an angular degree of rotation. An injection port may also be provided to deliver fluids through the endoscopic portion to the operative site.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a body portion, and a tool mechanism in which a pivoting handle pivots about a stationary handle to open and close the tool mechanism. The instrument includes a rotatable body portion, in which a rotation knob is provided on the instrument at the stationary handle so that the user may rotate the body portion, and consequently the tool mechanism, using a single hand. Furthermore, an electrocautery connection is provided which is positioned out of the line of sight of the surgeon, so that the surgeon may have an unobstructed view to the surgical site. The pivoting handle is provided with a rotatable connection point for connecting the slidable rod member to essentially eliminate radial deflection of the rod within the outer tube during opening and closing of the handles. The tool mechanism may include grasping jaws having rounded, interdigitating teeth for grasping and securely holding tissue or organs for removal through a cannula.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a body portion, and a tool mechanism in which a pivoting handle pivots about a stationary handle to open and close the tool mechanism. In one embodiment, the tool mechanism including a pair of tissue gripping members having a plurality of rib members extending in a lengthwise direction, and at least one indentation having a longitudinal dimension at least greater than a transverse dimension between the rib members. The instrument includes a rotatable body portion, in which a rotation knob is provided on the instrument at the stationary handle so that the user may rotate the body portion, and consequently the tool mechanism, using a single hand. Furthermore, an electrocautery connection is provided which is positioned out of the line of sight of the surgeon, so that the surgeon may have an unobstructed view to the surgical site.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a body portion, and a tool mechanism in which a pivoting handle pivots about a stationary handle to open and close the tool mechanism. The instrument includes a rotatable body portion, in which a rotation knob is provided on the instrument at the stationary handle so that the user may rotate the body portion, and consequently the tool mechanism, using a single hand. Furthermore, an electrocautery confection is provided which is positioned out of the line of sight of the surgeon, so that the surgeon may have an unobstructed view to the surgical site. The pivoting handle is provided with a rotatable connection point for connecting the slidable rod member to essentially eliminate radial deflection of the rod within the outer tube during opening and closing of the handles.

Abstract: An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument having an internally disposed ratchet mechanism located within a barrel portion of a handle assembly. The instrument includes a handle assembly having a pivoting handle and a stationary handle, a barrel portion to which an elongated body assembly is secured, and a ratchet mechanism for releasably positioning a tool mechanism located at the distal end of the body assembly at various increments. The ratchet mechanism comprises a pawl member and a rack member which are disposed within the handle assembly. A rotational knob and locking member may also be provided to lock the body assembly at various orientations to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a body portion, and a tool mechanism in which a pivoting handle pivots about a stationary handle to open and close the tool mechanism. The instrument includes a rotatable body portion, in which a rotation knob is provided on the instrument at the stationary handle so that the user may rotate the body portion, and consequently the tool mechanism, using a single hand. Furthermore, an electrocautery connection is provided which is positioned out of the line of sight of the surgeon, so that the surgeon may have an unobstructed view to the surgical site. The pivoting handle is provided with a rotatable connection point for connecting the slidable rod member to essentially eliminate radial deflection of the rod within the outer tube during opening and closing of the handles. The instrument also includes crescent-shaped blades which are curved in a plane defined by the pivot axis of the blades and the longitudinal axis of the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for performing a variety of endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures including the electrocauterization of tissue. The instrument includes a handle assembly, a tubular body extending from the handle assembly therein defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly associated with a distal end of the tubular body including a tool base and tool members, an electrical connector electrically associated with the tool members, electrical insulation being provided in association with electrical conducting components, a first mechanism for effectuating remote articulation of the tool assembly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body, and a second mechanism for effectuating remote rotation of the tool assembly about the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

Abstract: An instrument for cutting body tissue and applying a plurality of two part surgical fasteners to the body tissue on each side of the cut. The instrument includes a U-shaped distal portion, and a body having a longitudinal portion for enclosing an axial drive means for pushing fasteners into position in the body tissue. The axial drive means is off-centered from the fastener pushing means in the fastener cartridge at the U-shaped distal portion. A trigger operated diverter is provided with a unique system of force conversion and transmission for converting a single off-centered axial drive force to a uniformly distributed drive force for pushing the fastener pushers, and the knife assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for substantially simultaneously applying a plurality of two-part absorbable surgical fasteners to body tissue which includes biasing means to pivot the fastener holder into a final open position to release the body tissue. The biasing means is operable only after the fasteners have been applied.

Abstract: An instrument for cutting body tissue and applying a plurality of two part surgical fasteners to the body tissue on each side of the cut. The instrument includes a U-shaped distal portion, and a body having a longitudinal portion for enclosing an axial drive means for pushing fasteners into position in the body tissue. The axial drive means is off-centered from the fastener pushing means in the fastener cartridge at the U-shaped distal portion. A trigger operated diverter is provided with a unique system of force conversion and transmission for converting a single off-centered axial drive force to a uniformly distributed drive force for pushing the fastener pushers, and the knife assembly.

Abstract: Surgical fastener applying apparatus having an articulated shaft assembly intermediate a proximal actuator assembly and a distal fastener applying assembly. The rotational axis of the articulation is transverse to the proximal-distal axis of the shaft assembly. The apparatus is fully operational at any rotational position of the articulation. A detent mechanism may be included to releasably hold the articulation in any of its rotational positions. A locking mechanism may also be provided for locking the articulation in any of its rotational positions. The shaft assembly may also include a second articulation whose rotational axis is the proximal-distal axis. The apparatus is fully operational at any rotational position of the second articulation, and detent and locking mechanisms may also be associated with the second articulation.

Abstract: Surgical fastener applying apparatus having an articulated shaft assembly intermediate a proximal actuator assembly and a distal fastener applying assembly. The rotational axis of the articulation is transverse to the proximal-distal axis of the shaft assembly. The apparatus is fully operational at any rotational position of the articulation. A detent mechanism may be included to releasably hold the articulation in any of its rotational positions. A locking mechanism may also be provided for locking the articulation in any of its rotational positions. The shaft assembly may also include a second articulation whose rotational axis is the proximal-distal axis. The apparatus is fully operational at any rotational position of the second articulation, and detent and locking mechanisms may also be associated with the second articulation.

Abstract: In apparatus including a distal surgical fastener applying assembly operatively connected to a proximal actuator assembly by a longitudinal shaft assembly, the shaft assembly includes an articulation for allowing the fastener applying assembly to be placed in any of a wide range of rotational orientations relative to the actuator assembly.