Abstract: A surgical system includes a cannula and a guide member. The cannula is configured for positioning within an opening in tissue. The cannula includes a base and an elongated tubular member extending distally from the base. The elongated tubular member includes an annular wall defining a longitudinal passageway and defines at least one slot extending through the annular wall. The guide member includes a guide housing configured for releasably engaging the guide member with the cannula and an elongated guide shaft configured for insertion into the elongated tubular member of the cannula. The guide member defines at least one lumen extending therethrough and is configured such that, upon engagement of the guide member with the cannula, the at least one lumen is aligned with the at least one slot of the cannula to define a guide passageway through the guide member and cannula.

Abstract: A method of surgery includes positioning a cannula within an opening in tissue and inserting a guide member into the cannula. The cannula includes an elongated portion having a base and an elongated tubular member extending distally from the base. The elongated tubular member includes an annular wall defining a longitudinal passageway. At least one slot extends through the annular wall and is disposed in communication with the longitudinal passageway. The guide member includes a guide housing and an elongated guide shaft. The guide member defines at least one lumen extending therethrough. The method further includes releasably engaging the guide housing with the base. Upon engagement of the guide housing with the base, the at least one lumen is aligned with the at least one slot to define a guide passageway through the guide member and cannula.

Abstract: A suture passer includes a handle, an elongated sleeve defining a distal end, an inner shaft slidably disposed within the elongated sleeve, and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the inner shaft. The end effector assembly includes first and second arms, at least one which is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for retaining a portion of a suture therebetween. The inner shaft and elongated sleeve are relatively movable between a first condition, wherein the first and second arms are disposed in the approximated position and the distal end of the elongated sleeve is exposed, a second condition, wherein the first and second arms are disposed in the approximated position and the distal end of the elongated sleeve is shielded, and a third condition, wherein the first and second arms are disposed in the spaced-apart position.

Abstract: A guide member configured for guiding a suture passer through a cannula and tissue surrounding the cannula to facilitate closure of an opening in tissue. The guide member includes a guide housing and an elongated guide shaft. The guide housing is configured for releasably engaging the guide member with the cannula and defines an entry aperture. The elongated guide shaft extends distally from the guide housing and defines an annular exterior surface. An exit aperture is defined through the annular exterior surface. The guide member defines a lumen extending from the entry aperture, through the guide housing and the elongated guide shaft, to the exit aperture. The entry aperture, lumen, and exit aperture cooperating to define a passageway extending through the guide member.

Abstract: A suture deployment system is disclosed including a surgical needle having a flexible suture fixedly attached thereto and a target suture releasably secured to the flexible suture. A collar is positioned between the flexible suture and the target suture and is fixedly secured to the flexible suture. The target suture is releasably secured to the collar is such that the target suture may detach from the collar once a surgical procedure has been completed. The surgical needle is a double pointed surgical needle specifically configured to be manipulated by a surgical suturing apparatus.

Abstract: A duel lumen catheter is provided for use in minimally invasive surgery. The catheter generally includes a first tube defining an operative lumen and a second tube terminating proximally of the first tube and defining an inflation lumen. In one embodiment, the first and second tubes are concentric. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second tubes are separate and extend parallel to each other. The first and second tubes are provided with inflation ports adjacent their respective distal ends. There is also provided a method for performing minimally invasive surgery by inserting the catheter through the esophagus of a patient, insufflating the stomach and performing a surgical operation through the catheter and external to the stomach.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device is provided including an end effector configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of functions; and a single actuation cable operatively connected to the end effector, wherein the actuation cable is capable of effecting operation of at least the pair of functions. The actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of functions upon an axial translation thereof, and a second operation of the pair of functions upon a rotation thereof.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device including a tool assembly having a pair of juxtaposed jaws; a rotatably supported camming hub defining a groove formed in an inner surface of a central lumen thereof; and a center rod slidably and rotatably disposed within the lumen of the camming hub. The center rod is operatively engaged with the groove formed in the camming hub and engaged with the pair of jaws. The inner groove of the camming hub is configured such that, in at least one position, axial translation of the center rod relative to the camming hub results in rotation of the camming hub and at least one of opening and closing of the pair of jaws. The inner groove of the camming hub is configured such that, in at least one other position, rotation of the canter rod results in rotation of the tool assembly.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device is provided including a tool assembly having a pair of juxtaposed jaws each defining a needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof; a selectively rotatably camming hub defining a helical groove formed in an outer surface thereof; a pair of axially translatable needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a respective jaw, each blade having an advanced position wherein a distal end of the blade is engageable with a suture needle, and a retracted position wherein the distal end of the blade is out of engagement with the suture needle, wherein a proximal end of each blade is configured for slidable engagement in the helical groove of the camming hub; and a suture needle operatively associated with the tool assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, an elongated shaft, an end effector, a rotation mechanism, and an articulation mechanism is disclosed. The rotation mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly and effects rotation of the end effector about the second longitudinal axis. The articulation mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly and effects movement of the end effector from a first position where the first longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the second longitudinal axis to a second position where the second longitudinal axis is displaced from the first longitudinal axis. The articulation mechanism comprises a first articulation control disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly, a first cable and a second cable. Actuation of the first articulation control in a first direction causes the first cable to move distally and causes the second cable to move proximally.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device is provided including a handle assembly and an end effector operatively connected to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing; a trigger operatively supported on the housing; and an actuation cable operatively connected to the trigger and extending from the housing in such a manner that an actuation of the trigger imparts axial translation and rotation to the actuation cable. The end effector includes a tool assembly configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of operations. The actuation cable is operatively connected to the tool assembly in such a manner that the actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the axial translation thereof and/or effecting a second operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the rotation thereof.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device including a tool assembly having a pair of juxtaposed jaws; a rotatably supported camming hub defining a groove formed in an inner surface of a central lumen thereof; and a center rod slidably and rotatably disposed within the lumen of the camming hub. The center rod is operatively engaged with the groove formed in the camming hub and engaged with the pair of jaws. The inner groove of the camming hub is configured such that, in at least one position, axial translation of the center rod relative to the camming hub results in rotation of the camming hub and at least one of opening and closing of the pair of jaws. The inner groove of the camming hub is configured such that, in at least one other position, rotation of the canter rod results in rotation of the tool assembly.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device is provided including a handle assembly supporting a manually operated suture needle loading assembly; a tool assembly operatively supported on and connected to the handle assembly; a suture needle operatively associated with the tool assembly, wherein the tool assembly includes a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another; and an actuation cable extending between the handle assembly and the tool assembly, wherein axial displacement of the actuation shaft results in opening and closing of the jaws and rotation of the actuation cable results in selective retention of the suture needle in the jaws. A proximal end of the actuation cable is connected to the suture needle loading assembly such that actuation of the suture needle loading assembly imparts rotation to the actuation cable to selectively engage the suture needle in one of the jaws.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device is provided including an end effector configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of functions; and a single actuation cable operatively connected to the end effector, wherein the actuation cable is capable of effecting operation of at least the pair of functions. The actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of functions upon an axial translation thereof, and a second operation of the pair of functions upon a rotation thereof.

Abstract: A handle assembly for operating a surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing; a trigger operatively supported on the housing; and at least one actuation cable operatively associated with the trigger and extending from the housing in such a manner that an actuation of the trigger imparts both an axial translation of the actuation cable and a rotation to the actuation cable. Each of the axial translation and rotation of the actuation cable performs a separate function.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device including a tool assembly having a pair of juxtaposed jaws; a rotatably supported camming hub defining a groove formed in an inner surface of a central lumen thereof; and a center rod slidably and rotatably disposed within the lumen of the camming hub. The center rod is operatively engaged with the groove formed in the camming hub and engaged with the pair of jaws. The inner groove of the camming hub is configured such that, in at least one position, axial translation of the center rod relative to the camming hub results in rotation of the camming hub and at least one of opening and closing of the pair of jaws. The inner groove of the camming hub is configured such that, in at least one other position, rotation of the canter rod results in rotation of the tool assembly.

Abstract: An illumination system configured to light an anatomical location of a patient is provided. The illumination system includes an interior illumination device positionable and movable within a body cavity of a patient. The interior illumination device is configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician. The illumination system includes an exterior illumination device operatively coupled to the interior illumination device and positionable and movable about an exterior of a patient. The exterior illumination device is configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician.

Abstract: A suture deployment system is disclosed including a surgical needle having a flexible suture fixedly attached thereto and a target suture releasably secured to the flexible suture. Either the flexible suture or the target suture may be made of a shape memory polymer. A collar is positioned between the flexible suture and the target suture and is fixedly secured to the flexible suture. The target suture is releasably secured to the collar is such that the target suture may detach from the collar once a surgical procedure has been completed. The surgical needle is a double pointed surgical needle specifically configured to be manipulated by a surgical suturing apparatus.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device is provided including a tool assembly having a pair of juxtaposed jaws each defining a needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof; a selectively rotatably camming hub defining a helical groove formed in an outer surface thereof; a pair of axially translatable needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a respective jaw, each blade having an advanced position wherein a distal end of the blade is engageable with a suture needle, and a retracted position wherein the distal end of the blade is out of engagement with the suture needle, wherein a proximal end of each blade is configured for slidable engagement in the helical groove of the camming hub; and a suture needle operatively associated with the tool assembly.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device is provided including a handle assembly supporting a manually operated suture needle loading assembly; a tool assembly operatively supported on and connected to the handle assembly; a suture needle operatively associated with the tool assembly, wherein the tool assembly includes a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another; and an actuation cable extending between the handle assembly and the tool assembly, wherein axial displacement of the actuation shaft results in opening and closing of the jaws and rotation of the actuation cable results in selective retention of the suture needle in the jaws. A proximal end of the actuation cable is connected to the suture needle loading assembly such that actuation of the suture needle loading assembly imparts rotation to the actuation cable to selectively engage the suture needle in one of the jaws.