Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing insufflation loss due to gas leakage during a laparoscopic surgical procedure are provided. The surgical procedure includes the use of a surgical instrument having an end effector and a trocar through which the surgical instrument is inserted for access to the abdominal cavity of a patient receiving laparoscopic surgery. The trocar includes a lip, a lip seal disposed within the lip, and a cannula located beneath the lip. The systems and methods reduce or prevent a loss of insufflation when using conventional systems and methods to insert the surgical instrument through a conventional trocar.

Abstract: A system utilizing a software program used to write other software application programs for the implementation of guideline applications for use in situations where a qualification decision or next course of action determination must be made. The system uses questions with limited choice answers. Data provided in answer to the questions causes a second program application to be automatically generated based on the answers. The second application then elicits responses in an interactive manner. Qualification decisions and courses of action are suggested as an output of the second application. Means are provided for evaluating the reliability of the suggestions based on consistency of answers and fatigue of the user. Means are also provided for editing either application program.