Abstract: A surgical device and end effector connection system therefor include an easy-to-engage mechanism for connecting a handle/shaft/actuation rod unit to an end effector. This mechanism may utilize an axially engageable inner ball/socket inner connection with a threaded outer connection, or an inner bayonet connection with either an outer bayonet connection or an outer threaded connection. In each of the embodiments, an outer portion of the end effector preferably is statically engaged with the shaft, and an inner portion of the end effector is engaged with the actuation rod such that axial movement of the actuation rod can actuate a tool end of the end effector. The present invention further relates to methods of use for the laparoscopy device.

Abstract: A TWAIN-compliant image processing application. The TWAIN-compliant image processing application includes a plurality of TWAIN stub data sources, each having a descriptor indicative of a particular image input device but otherwise being identical, each of said TWAIN stub data sources being callable by another image processing application requiring device driver functionality, a TWAIN protocol manager which receives commands in the form of TWAIN triplets, parses the TWAIN triplets, and executes the commands, and a driver manager for communicating with the TWAIN protocol manager and the particular image input device indicated by the descriptor of the TWAIN stub data source from which the TWAIN protocol manager receives the TWAIN triplets.