Abstract: An apparatus and method for laparoscopically lifting the abdominal wall utilizes a pair of lifting rods each having a substantially straight proximal portion mounted to a lifting body and an arcuate distal portion joined to the proximal portion. The rods have an insertion configuration, in which their arcuate portions are nested such that the rods may be simultaneously extended into an abdominal cavity, and a lifting configuration in which one of the rods is pivoted such that the arcuate distal portions form a substantially circular lifting area between them. An inflatable balloon is disposed around the lifting arms and is inflated within the abdominal cavity to push abdominal tissue away from the abdominal cavity and to thereby prevent the tissue from catching on the lifting rods during pivoting.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method for endometrial ablation by heating an inflation medium within a distensible bladder positioned within a uterus of a patient. The apparatus comprises an elongate tubular member, a handle, a distensible bladder and a heating element disposed within said distensible bladder. The system includes a controller configured for providing and regulating electric current to the heating element. The controller also includes a pressure sensor for regulating the pressure in the distensible bladder. Pressure and temperature displays and other operator controls are located on the controller unit. The method for performing endothelial ablation comprises inserting the distensible bladder and a portion of the tubular member into a uterus of a patient. The inflation medium within the distensible bladder is heated by providing electric current to the resistive wire of the heating element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a surgical work space by lifting the abdominal wall and retracting abdominal organs during surgery utilizes a lifting body having two or more retraction rods supported by the lifting body. The rods are designed to be introduced into the abdominal cavity through a laparoscopic puncture opening and to be extended within the abdominal cavity to provide a lifting area. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of retraction rods disposed with the bores and substantially parallel to each other are inserted into the abdominal cavity through an incision in the abdominal wall. The retraction rods are spread apart from each other while their parallel orientation is maintained. The lifting body is connected to a lifting arm and lifted, causing the retraction rods to lift and support the abdominal wall.

Abstract: Hollow body structures may be manipulated and dissected from surrounding tissue using a manipulator device and a dissection device. The manipulator includes a rigid shaft having an inflatable balloon at its distal end. By inserting the balloon through a wall of the body structure and inflating the balloon, the body structure can be manipulated using the shaft to expose a dissection plane in an optimum manner. The dissection device is used to separate the body structure from its surrounding tissue. The separator device includes a separator head which is a cylindrical body having a plurality of axial channels therein. The dissector head is rotated or oscillated at a high frequency and acts to separate the body structure from the surrounding tissue with minimum damage.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a manipulating force to manipulate a hollow body. The apparatus comprises a hollow shaft at the distal end of which is attached an elastomeric balloon that is inflatable from a collapsed state to an expanded state to engage the hollow body. A tether, attached to the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon, limits distal excursion, and freely allows proximal excursion, of the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon in response to the manipulating force. The tether may be flexible, with its distal end attached to the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon, and its proximal end attached within the hollow shaft. Alternatively, the tether may include an elongate member slidably mounted within the hollow shaft, and a stop that limits distal sliding of the elongate member. The distal tip of the balloon is attached to the distal end of the elongate member. In a method according to the invention for manipulating a hollow body, the apparatus just described is provided.