Abstract: A headless, flexible, two-part, semi-flexible trocar is formed from two semi-circular sections to form a hollow tubular body having a flared proximal end and a tapered distal end. The sections may temporarily move with respect to one another to increase the diameter of the tubular structure. A top portion protruding beyond the body may readily be trimmed as desired to allow a greater range of motion for an optical or surgical instrument within the body cavity. A valve/fulcrum within the tubular structure helps control the optical or surgical instruments. When tissue needs to be removed from the body cavity, the stem of the trocar may be expanded to allow passage of the tissue being removed, which stretches the incision. The insufflation gas is injected into the body cavity at a point other than through the trocar, which further optimizes intraoperative optics while minimizing tissue trauma.

Abstract: An expandable trocar includes a trocar body defining a hollow trocar stem having a cross-sectional inside area, and an outwardly projecting rib disposed on an outside surface of the trocar body. The trocar body is constructed to expand the cross-sectional inside area of the hollow trocar stem upon an application of an expanding force. The trocar body is formed of a resilient material such that when the expanding force is removed, the trocar body retracts the cross-sectional inside area.

Abstract: A method of laparoscopically introducing a piece of surgical mesh into the abdominal cavity of a patient through a small incision. The mesh is tightly rolled after having traction sutures placed therein and being hydrated. The surgical mesh is pulled into a prelubricated insertion tube having been ligated adjacent its proximal end. A grasper is used to pull mesh into the tube. The tube/mesh is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a small incision. Once inside the abdomen, the insertion tube is split to release the surgical mesh that may then be used in the surgery. Also provided is an insertion tube having a thinned or otherwise weakened region extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. A ripcord extending along the insertion tube from its ligated, proximal end to beyond the distal end is utilized to spilt the insertion tube to facilitate freeing the surgical mesh from within.

Abstract: A system in which automatic gain control is not applied to modify an incoming carrier signal over the first 40 dB of signal level, employs an AGC system in which a further signal is generated for further modification of the modified carrier signal to obtain the original carrier signal modified by a linear logarithmic response to the AGC signal over the entire signal range of the apparatus. In addition, automatic gain control signals derived from both an envelope AM detector and a synchronous AM detector are added together whereby a continuous AGC signal is generated regardless of the source of the signal.