Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises two oppositely-positioned working numbers each having proximal and distal ends and each having a working surface. The instrument also comprises at least one ring member affixed to a least one of the working members to encompass one or more of a user's fingers. In one embodiment at least one working surface has a heating element to cut or seal and cut tissue.

Abstract: An instrument and method are provided for sealing and joining or hemostatically dividing tissue, which is particularly suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The instrument makes use of the controlled application of a combination of heat and pressure to seal adjacent tissues, to join adjacent tissues, or to anastomose tissues, whereby tissue is heated for an optimal time and at an optimal temperature under optimal pressure to maximize tissue seal strength while minimizing collateral tissue damage. The instrument of the present invention is lightweight and therefore portable, and is particularly useful in field conditions where a source of external power may not be readily available.

Abstract: An articulated endoscope for performing endoscopic procedures in a tubular organ of a patient is provided, comprising a chassis, a plurality of pressure driven linear actuators mounted, by proximal ends, in oppositely facing pairs to the chassis, control means mounted to the chassis for storing a predetermined pressure distribution sequence therein and for outputting the predetermined sequence in response to a directional input from a user, means for receiving and distributing pressure to the plurality of pressure driven linear actuators in the predetermined pressure distribution sequence in response to control signals from the control means, the means for receiving and distributing being mounted to the chassis, and a tube delivering pressure to the means for receiving and distributing pressure, whereby self-propelled motive force is produced by pushing against interior surfaces of the tubular organ with distal ends of the plurality of pressure driven linear actuators as pressure is applied to the plurality o

Abstract: An intestinal steerable endoscopic stapler for stapling tubular tissue is provided comprising a circular anvil member having a circular anvil stapling surface and a cutting block surface radially inwardly of the stapling surface. A head assembly has a circular staple driver for driving staples in an array corresponding to the anvil surface and a circular cutting blade corresponding to the cutting block. A flexible tube has a distal end at the head assembly and a handpiece end. A scope in the form of an eyepiece in the handpiece optically connected to a lens in the head assembly is provided for viewing a region of space beyond the head assembly. A steering arrangement is provided for pivoting the head assembly relative the flexible tube to thereby steer the head assembly in a body cavity.

Abstract: An intestinal steerable endoscopic stapler for stapling tubular tissue is provided comprising a circular anvil member having a circular anvil stapling surface and a cutting block surface radially inwardly of the stapling surface. A head assembly has a circular staple driver for driving staples in an array corresponding to the anvil surface and a circular cutting blade corresponding to the cutting block. A flexible tube has a distal end at the head assembly and a handpiece end. A scope in the form of an eyepiece in the handpiece optically connected to a lens in the head assembly is provided for viewing a region of space beyond the head assembly. A steering arrangement is provided for pivoting the head assembly relative the flexible tube to thereby steer the head assembly in a body cavity.

Abstract: A bipolar electrocautery surgical snare is described capable of performing the endoscopic removal of growths within a body cavity with improved precision and accuracy. The bipolar surgical snare comprises an electrically insulating elongated double lumen tubular member, a pair of flexible electrically conductive snare wires extending through the respective lumina of the tubular member and from each end thereof, an electrically insulating connector means for mechanically uniting but electrically insulating one end of each of the snare wires to form a surgical loop extending from one end of the tubular member; and attachment for electrically connecting the opposed ends of said snare wires to a high frequency electrocautery current source.