Abstract: A surgical retractor for endoscopic surgery is provided which includes an elastic skin enclosing a variable volume cavity which is movable through a narrow tube into a body cavity when it is deflated and may be inflated within the body cavity. The elastic skin has projections for fastening the skin to body tissues and other similar retractors. A method and system using such retractors is also provided.

Abstract: Wound drainage system having a wound drainage catheter with an apertured distal end and a closed reservoir system. A plug in the lumen of the distal end substantially engages the lumen. A thread connects the plug to a pulling mechanism external the closed reservoir system for pulling the thread to move the plug toward the suction end of the catheter to sterilely clear the lumen. The plug may have an aperture so that multiple plugs may be positioned in the lumen, with each plug thread passing through the aperture of each upstream plug. Each plug may be separately pulled through the lumen to clear catheter of occluded material.

Abstract: Device for inserting a cannula into a duct. The device includes a housing having a handle and a distal end, the distal end being insertable through a laparoscopic trocar. Attached to the distal end is a duct alignment mechanism and a pivotable endoscope. The endoscope has a visualization capability and a cannula introduction channel and is pivotable between a retracted position in which the terminal end is generally parallel to the distal end of the housing and an extended position in which the terminal end is positioned such that a cannula extended from the cannula introduction channel is generally coaxial with a duct aligned by the duct alignment mechanism.

Abstract: Surgical method and instrument such as a snare or forceps clamps, which can be moved to a position to firmly grasp a polyp. A tissue marking agent is disposed on the surface of the instrument that contacts a polyp, and the marking agent is crushed against the polyp. The marking agent is absorbed by the polyp and stains the tissue from which the polyp projects, the assist in visualizing the polyp site if conventional surgery is later required. The method and device may optionally provide for cutting and removing of the polyp and for application of a hemostatic agent to the polyp base to minimize bleeding.