Abstract: Trocar assemblies and methods of use in minimally invasive surgical procedures are described. Such trocar assemblies include a head, a distally extending shaft including an open distal end, a cutting component extending through the open distal end, and a retractable protection assembly to extend and retract through the open distal end of the shaft. The retractable protection assembly extends through the open distal end to cover the cutting component in a naturally biased position. Further, the retractable protection assembly retracts from the open distal end to expose the cutting component in a compressed position during application of body pressure to the retractable protection assembly until reaching a body cavity. Upon reaching the body cavity and removal of body pressure, the retractable protection assembly returns to the naturally biased position and extends through the open distal end to cover the cutting component.

Abstract: A cannula for use in laparoscopic surgery has a central passage which may accept a trocar to create a laparoscopic incision in a body wall to an inner body cavity. A tubular section of the cannula is then pressed into the incision to form a port. The tubular section has passages through its walls for suturing needles and a source for insufflating gas. A tubular sleeve is slidably supported on the exterior surface of the tubular cannula for movement between a raised position clear of the needle passage exit ports and a lowered or rotated position blocking the exit ports to prevent insufflation gases from passing into the body wall.

Abstract: Trocar assemblies and methods of use in minimally invasive surgical procedures are described. Such trocar assemblies include a head, a distally extending shaft including an open distal end, a cutting component extending through the open distal end, and a retractable protection assembly to extend and retract through the open distal end of the shaft. The retractable protection assembly extends through the open distal end to cover the cutting component in a naturally biased position. Further, the retractable protection assembly retracts from the open distal end to expose the cutting component in a compressed position during application of body pressure to the retractable protection assembly until reaching a body cavity. Upon reaching the body cavity and removal of body pressure, the retractable protection assembly returns to the naturally biased position and extends through the open distal end to cover the cutting component.

Abstract: A cannula for use in laparoscopic surgery has a central passage which may accept a trocar to create a laparoscopic incision in a body wall to an inner body cavity. A tubular section of the cannula is then pressed into the incision to form a port. The tubular section has passages through its walls for suturing needles and a source for insufflating gas. A tubular sleeve is slidably supported on the outer side of the tubular cannula for movement between a raised position clear of the needle passage exit ports and a lowered position blocking the exit ports to prevent insufflation gases from passing into the body wall.

Abstract: A cannula for use in laparoscopic surgery has a central passage which may accept a trocar to create a laparoscopic incision in a body wall to an inner body cavity. A tubular section of the cannula is then pressed into the incision to form a port. The tubular section has passages through its walls for suturing needles and a source for insufflating gas. A tubular sleeve is slidably supported on the exterior surface of the tubular cannula for movement between a raised position clear of the needle passage exit ports and a lowered or rotated position blocking the exit ports to prevent insufflation gases from passing into the body wall.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument for forming an incision in a body cavity, insufflating the body cavity with gas, and suturing the incision at the completion of the surgery includes a set of jaws at the distal end of the Veress needle or cannula. The jaws are pivoted to one another for motion between an open position or a closed position in which they may be used to grasp a suture in the body cavity for removal from the cavity for knotting. A push mechanism at the proximal end of the instrument moves the jaws between their open and closed position on successive actuations of a pushbutton and retains them in that state until the next push. An illumination source is provided for the distal end of the instrument to provide illumination through the walls of the body cavity so that the surgeon can determine the degree of penetration of the instrument into the body cavity and can identify any major arteries which should be avoided in the formation of other laparoscopic openings.

Abstract: A drainage catheter according to aspects of the present invention is generally tubular in shape and has a catheter wall having an external surface and an internal surface, the wall defining an interior lumen of the catheter and an exterior, the wall extending between a proximal end and a distal end wherein the proximal end has a rim and is inserted into a body cavity or false space of a subject when in use for medical treatment and the distal end remains outside the body cavity or false space. The proximal and distal stabilizing elements are integral to the catheter wall and extend outwardly from the catheter wall or are present on opposite ends of a connecting member forming a stabilizer, the stabilizer disposed in the lumen of the catheter, wherein the proximal stabilizing element is positioned distal to the rim of the proximal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A cannula for use in laparoscopic surgery has a central passage which may accept a trocar to create a laparoscopic incision in a body wall to an inner body cavity. A tubular section of the cannula is then pressed into the incision to form a port. The tubular section has passages through its walls for suturing needles and a source for insufflating gas. A tubular sleeve is slidably supported on the outer side of the tubular cannula for movement between a raised position clear of the needle passage exit ports and a lowered position blocking the exit ports to prevent insufflation gases from passing into the body wall.

Abstract: A cannula for use in laparoscopic surgery has a central passage which may accept a trocar to create a laparoscopic incision in a body wall to an inner body cavity. A tubular section of the cannula is then pressed into the incision to form a port. After completion of the operation a needle having a blunt distal end with a suture-engaging notch surrounded by a sheath with a sharpened edge is pressed through inclined passages in the side walls of the cannula so as to extend into the body tissue on one side of the cannula and into the body cavity, carrying the suture which is then grasped by an instrument to remove the suture and join it to a needle projecting from the opposite side of the cannula. The needle is then withdrawn so the suture may be knotted on the outer side of the body wall.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument for forming an incision in a body cavity, insufflating the body cavity with gas, and suturing the incision at the completion of the surgery includes a set of jaws at the distal end of the Veress needle or cannula. The jaws are pivoted to one another for motion between an open position or a closed position in which they may be used to grasp a suture in the body cavity for removal from the cavity for knotting. A push mechanism at the proximal end of the instrument moves the jaws between their open and closed position on successive actuations of a pushbutton and retains them in that state until the next push. An illumination source is provided for the distal end of the instrument to provide illumination through the walls of the body cavity so that the surgeon can determine the degree of penetration of the instrument into the body cavity and can identify any major arteries which should be avoided in the formation of other laparoscopic openings.

Abstract: A cannula for use in laparoscopic surgery has a central passage which may accept a trocar to create a laparoscopic incision in a body wall to an inner body cavity. A tubular section of the cannula is then pressed into the incision to form a port. After completion of the operation a needle having a blunt distal end with a suture-engaging notch surrounded by a sheath with a sharpened edge is pressed through inclined passages in the side walls of the cannula so as to extend into the body tissue on one side of the cannula and into the body cavity, carrying the suture which is then grasped by an instrument to remove the suture and join it to a needle projecting from the opposite side of the cannula. The needle is then withdrawn so the suture may be knotted on the outer side of the body wall.