Abstract: The present invention provides a group or kit of surgical instruments for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for producing and digitizing a number of images to create a digital library of images, providing an image from outside the digital library, digitizing it and comparing it to the digital images in the digital library, and providing a text descriptive of the image from outside the digital library.

Abstract: The present invention provides a group or kit of surgical instruments for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a defect. The apparatus includes a tubular member, an introducer and a form, wherein, in one embodiment, at least a portion of the form is formed of a biosorbable, shape memory material. The method includes the steps of accessing a percutaneous space adjacent the defect using the tubular member, placing the introducer adjacent the percutaneous space, and conducting tissue repair for the defect through the introducer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for producing and digitizing a number of images to create a digital library of images, providing an image from outside the digital library, digitizing it and comparing it to the digital images in the digital library, and providing a text descriptive of the image from outside the digital library.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for occluding the body lumen including the cystic duct, wherein, in one embodiment, the device has a tapered end and an expandable segment. In use, using a suitable access instrument, the tapered end of the device is inserted into the cystic duct and the expandable segment may be expanded to lodge the device in the duct and to occlude the duct. The access instrument may then be detached from the device and withdrawn. The device is left in the duct, acting as a plug.

Abstract: A smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures, particularly minimally invasive procedures involving the use of a laser or cautery at a surgical site having an associated higher than ambient pressure, wherein the system includes a filter with a site side and an outlet side and a fluid conduit extending between the surgical site and the filter. The filter includes a filter media and a housing substantially surrounding the filter media with a space between the filter media and the housing to collect condensed vapor. The filter exhibits low resistance or a low pressure drop and resists fluid flow, whereby the higher than ambient pressure is not substantially diminished and generates a fluid flow in the fluid flow path tending to carry smoke to and through the filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for occluding the body lumen including the cystic duct, wherein, in one embodiment, the device has a tapered end and an expandable segment. In use, using a suitable access instrument, the tapered end of the device is inserted into the cystic duct and the expandable segment may be expanded to lodge the device in the duct and to occlude the duct. The access instrument may then be detached from the device and withdrawn. The device is left in the duct, acting as a plug.

Abstract: A smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures, particularly minimally invasive procedures involving the use of a laser or cautery at a surgical site having an associated higher than ambient pressure, wherein the system includes a filter with a site side and an outlet side and a fluid conduit extending between the surgical site and the filter. The filter includes a filter media and a housing substantially surrounding the filter media with a space between the filter media and the housing to collect condensed vapor. The filter exhibits low resistance or a low pressure drop and resists fluid flow, whereby the higher than ambient pressure is not substantially diminished and generates a fluid flow in the fluid flow path tending to carry smoke to and through the filter.

Abstract: A method for repairing a defect. The method comprises accessing a percutaneous space adjacent the defect using a tubular member, placing an introducer adjacent the percutaneous space, and conducting tissue repair for the defect through the introducer.

Abstract: A group or kit of surgical instruments (FIG. 26) for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. In one embodiment the invention is an instrument (10) with a generally central longitudinal axis and a generally toroidal surface generally transverse to the axis wherein the convex portion (20) of the surface does not extend beyond a line parallel with the longitudinal axis along an outer diameter of the instrument. The surface has a continuous edge (22) having a first end (24) at a shoulder (26) and a second end (28) at the shoulder (26), and spaced from the first end. In another embodiment the instrument has a working end (12) with a generally longitudinal axis, and the working end defined by a generally curved surface along the longitudinal axis wherein the curved surface has a concave portion, and a convex portion wherein the working end has a generally flat tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for producing and digitizing a number of images to create a digital library of images, providing an image from outside the digital library, digitizing it and comparing it to the digital images in the digital library, and providing a text descriptive of the image from outside the digital library.

Abstract: The present invention provides a group or kit of surgical instruments for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: A smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures, particularly minimally invasive procedures involving the use of a laser or cautery at a surgical site having an associated higher than ambient pressure, wherein the system includes a filter with a site side and an outlet side and a fluid conduit extending between the surgical site and the filter. The filter exhibits low resistance or a low pressure drop and resists fluid flow, whereby the higher than ambient pressure is not substantially diminished and generates a fluid flow in the fluid flow path tending to carry smoke to and through the filter.

Abstract: A group or kit of surgical instruments (FIG. 26) for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. In one embodiment the invention is an instrument (10) with a generally central longitudinal axis and a generally toroidal surface generally transverse to the axis wherein the convex portion (20) of the surface does not extend beyond a line parallel with the longitudinal axis along an outer diameter of the instrument. The surface has a continuous edge (22) having a first end (24) at a shoulder (26) and a second end (28) at the shoulder (26), and spaced from the first end. In another embodiment the instrument has a working end (12) with a generally longitudinal axis, and the working end defined by a generally curved surface along the longitudinal axis wherein the curved surface has a concave portion, and a convex portion wherein the working end has a generally flat tip.

Abstract: A method of repair of direct space and indirect space inguinal hernias and a unique prosthesis enable the use of laparoscopic surgical techniques with the benefits associated therewith, while greatly reducing the recurrence of hernial defects. The prosthetic device in accordance with the present invention is a unitary piece having an abdominal wall engaging base, a hollow projection, and a slurry retaining flap. The base includes a flange that anchors the prosthetic device against the abdominal wall and a flange that covers and gives support to the surrounding abdominal wall where direct space inguinal hernia recurrence is high. The projection, situated between the ledge and the flange, is received within the defect associated with inguinal hernias and lends support thereto.

Abstract: An end effector for efficiently removing the gaseous byproducts of laser surgery from a surgical site is provided. The end effector includes a flexible hose and a pliable vacuum head adhesively attachable in airtight relationship around a surgical site. The vacuum head includes a generally annular plenum for drawing plumes away from the surgical site from around a 360.degree. arc. A porous plenum support prevents the flexible plenum from collapsing in the presence of a vacuum, and diffuses the vacuum around the entire periphery of the plenum.