Abstract: An electrocautery cutting instrument includes a shaft having a first handle at one end and an elastic wire loop at the other. An outer tube is longitudinally displaceable over the shaft to collapse and permit expansion of the wire loop. The wire loop is sized for surrounding the uterus during a gynecological procedure. The wire loop has bends that bias the loop into a planar configuration when the wire loop is in an expanded configuration. The distal portion of the wire loop is integrally formed of the same flexible wire as the proximal portion of the wire loop, but has a different cross-sectional shape from the proximal portion.

Abstract: A Veress needle and cannula assembly includes a stainless steel cannula assembly with a cannula having an outer diameter of approximately 4 mm and a Veress needle assembly having a Veress needle with an outer diameter of approximately 3 mm. The cannula assembly includes a proximal valve assembly and the Veress needle is insertable through the valve assembly. Where the cannula and Veress needle are not closely fitted, a molded transition collar on the Veress needle seals the annular space between the interior of the cannula and the exterior of the Veress needle and is provided with sharp distal edges for aiding insertion of the cannula assembly into the body of a patient. The cannula valve assembly preferably includes a female luer lock connector. The Veress needle preferably includes a handle with a rotatable male luer lock coupler which engages the female luer lock connector on the cannula valve assembly when the Veress needle is inserted into the cannula assembly.

Abstract: An endoscopic electrosurgical suction-irrigation instrument with insertable probes and attachments is disclosed. The instrument has a fluid chamber sealed at its proximal end with a slit valve for receiving the probes and connected at its distal end to a cannula through which the inserted probes extend. The fluid chamber is selectively provided with suction and/or irrigation and includes an electrical contact for supplying voltage to an inserted electrosurgical probe. Depending on the probe configuration suction and/or irrigation is provided in an annular space between the probe and the cannula or through the probe. Valves, connectors and switches for use with the instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscopic electrosurgical suction-irrigation instrument with insertable probes and attachments is disclosed. The instrument has a fluid chamber sealed at its proximal end with a slit valve for receiving the probes and connected at its distal end to a cannula through which the inserted probes extend. The fluid chamber is selectively provided with suction and/or irrigation and includes an electrical contact for supplying voltage to an inserted electrosurgical probe. Depending on the probe configuration suction and/or irrigation is provided in an annular space between the probe and the cannula or through the probe. Valves, connectors and switches for use with the instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscopic tool for dispensing units of hemostatic agent broadly comprises a hollow tube which holds a plurality of individual units of the hemostatic agent, a valve at the distal end of the hollow tube which permits the hemostatic agent to pass therethrough but prevents foreign matter from contacting the hemostatic agent while in the tube, a plunger which extends into the hollow tube and contacts a proximal unit of the hemostatic agent, and a mechanism for moving the plunger distally in incremental movements to cause, upon each incremental movement, an individual unit of the hemostatic agent to be pushed through the valve. Typically, the mechanism for moving the plunger and the proximal end of the hollow tube are held in a handle. One mechanism for moving the plunger utilizes a portion of the plunger as a ratchet by forming a plurality of conical elements thereon, and utilizes a switch in the handle which has a V-spring coupled thereto as a pawl for advancing the conical elements.