Abstract: A medical instrument comprising a Veress needle, a dilating obturator, and a cannula. The Veress needle has a tubular safety obturator with an opening in its front section at a needle tip of the Veress needle. A guide with a guide slot can be positioned in a patient's vagina against the posterior fornix of the vagina to guide the Veress needle through the vaginal and peritoneal walls. A guide wire may be passed through the Veress needle and through the hole in the peritoneum wall formed by the Veress needle to guide the dilating obturator through the hole.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprising a Veress needle, a dilating obturator, and a cannula. The Veress needle has a tubular safety obturator with an opening in its front section at a needle tip of the Veress needle. A guide with a guide slot can be positioned in a patient's vagina against the posterior fornix of the vagina to guide the Veress needle through the vaginal and peritoneal walls. A guide wire may be passed through the Veress needle and through the hole in the peritoneum wall formed by the Veress needle to guide the dilating obturator through the hole.

Abstract: An endoscope having an elongated shaft which terminates in a deflectable distal tip is shown. The elongated shaft includes a first elongated sheath tube having a deflectable distal section. The deflectable distal section terminates in a distal tip having a triangular shaped cross-sectional area. The elongated shaft also includes a second semi-rigid elongated tube which is shorter in length than the first elongated sheath tube. The difference in length enables the deflectable distal section to extend beyond the end of the second semi-rigid elongated sheath tube and to be deflectable. The second semi-rigid elongated sheath tube encloses the proximal section of the first elongated sheath tube.

Abstract: A method for casting a housing around an endoscope frame is shown. The method includes the step of assembling an endoscope frame comprising a proximal end of an elongated shaft having a first working channel, a second working channel, a fiber optical image bundle channel, and fiber optic light carrying member. Each of the working channels and the fiber optic light carrying member extend in a predetermined direction from the elongated shaft to a preselected location wherein each of the working channels are terminated in an input opening member. The fiber optic image bundle terminates in a viewing member. The fiber optic light carrying member terminates in a light connecting member.

Abstract: A system for reducing drag in a resectoscope working element. A hole is provided at a proximal end of a substantially enclosed electrode sheath for exiting fluids and substantially preventing pressure from being generated in the sheath. A working element has a guide block with a guide bar channel having a first cross-sectional shape and a guide bar with a second cross-sectional shape such that there are spaces between the guide bar and the guide bar channel and the bearing surfaces therebetween are relatively small.