Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument is provided that includes a handle portion, an elongated middle portion, an articulating portion and a tool portion. The tool portion is steerable by control mechanisms disposed on the handle portion which are accessible to a single hand of a user of the endoscopic surgical instrument. The endoscopic surgical instrument is advantageously employed in a variety of endoscopic surgical techniques, including transgastric or transluminal surgery.

Abstract: A method of transluminal surgery is provided, which utilizes an endoscopic surgery apparatus having pivotable arms attached by hinges on its distal end. The arms are interchangeable with arms of various configurations. The method includes the steps of inserting an endoscopic surgery apparatus into a body cavity of a patient, making an incision in the body cavity wall to allow access to the patient's abdominal cavity, and further inserting the apparatus through the incision. Surgery is performed at the desired surgical site and the apparatus is withdrawn into the body cavity where the incision is closed. Finally, the apparatus is withdrawn from the patient's body.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgery apparatus is provided, including a tubular member, a handle located on a proximal end of the tubular member, and one or more pivotable arms detachably connected to a distal end of the tubular member. The tubular member has channels along its longitudinal axis, wherein at least one of the channels is an optical channel and at least one other channel is an illumination channel. The arms have guiding channels adapted to receive surgical tools, which direct the surgical tools. The arms are interchangeable with other arms of different configurations. Also, said arms have an open and a closed position, such that when the arms are in the closed position an opening is defined allowing viewing of a surgical site via the optical channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endosurgical extraction bag for collecting body tissue or body fluid, with a bag main part formed from a flexible envelope, and with a first admission opening for introducing tissue or fluid into the bag main part of the bag. Arranged in the bag main part, there is an inner envelope which is connected to the main part (bag) and opens toward the first admission opening, but adjoins the bag main part sealingly in respect of the first admission opening, and which has a second admission opening at its second end remote from the first admission opening and spaced apart from an end of the bag main part remote from the first admission opening, through which second admission opening the tissue or fluid can be introduced into the bag main part.

Abstract: A rectoscope has a tube and a handle protruding therefrom. A number of light-emitting elements are arranged circumferentially distributed at the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: A prosthesis to obturate a hernial canal includes a first part made of surgical material and configured in such a way as to deform under the effect of intra-abdominal pressure, to oppose such pressure elastically and to spread the force at the hernial canal over a portion of the inside face of the wall of a hernial cavity; and a second part for positioning in contact with the inside face of the wall of the hernial cavity and positioned annularly about the first part, whereby force exerted at the hernial canal is spread over a portion of the inside wall of the hernial cavity via the second part.

Abstract: A ligature and/or suture system for endoscopic surgery, comprising, in combination: a tie for ligature or for suture, slidably mounted in the longitudinal channel of a separate tubular endpiece; and a rigid support including a handle secured to an elongate rod which is provided at its proximal end remote from the handle with a reception cradle suitable for removably receiving the tubular endpiece, and with a through lateral window whereby said cradle opens out to the outside of the support to enable the tie to pass therethrough such that traction exerted on the distal end of the tie relative to the support serves to tighten the ligature or the suture.