Abstract: Systems, methods, and miniature instruments are disclosed for minimally invasive surgical procedures. A miniature surgical instrument can be inserted directly into a body cavity through a cannula in a way that a surgeon can insert his or her hand into the cavity through a separate minimal incision and use the miniature instruments. A miniature surgical system can include: a cannula having a hollow body configured to receive a miniature surgical instrument and a tether connected to the instrument; and a plunger sized to engage a proximal end of the body and including a conduit therethrough for receiving the tether. The system can also include the tether and the instrument. During use, the instruments can be quickly and safely removed from the body cavity to enable the surgeon to use his or her fingers, e.g., to manipulate tissue.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a body configured for insertion into a bore of a surgical handpiece and a latch that includes a resilient member connected to the body. The resilient member has a latching structure configured to latchingly engage a surface of the surgical handpiece within the bore.

Abstract: The invention is a series of minimally invasive, miniature surgical instruments mounted directly on a surgeon's fingertips in a way that the surgeon can insert his or her hand into a patient through a minimal incision to perform surgical procedures, and also to use his or her fingers to manipulate tissues. The invention enables the surgeon to perform the procedures with all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, but with much greater tactile sense, control, and ease of manipulation, than enabled by known minimally invasive surgical instruments.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a body configured for insertion into a bore of a surgical handpiece and a latch that includes a resilient member connected to the body. The resilient member has a latching structure configured to latchingly engage a surface of the surgical handpiece within the bore.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument for cutting body tissue has an axially elongated support shaft which supports, at a distal end thereof, a back biting assembly. The back biting assembly has a ring-shaped jaw member pivotally supported by the support shaft at a distal end thereof for rearward pivotal movement toward and away from a closed cutting position. A fixed cutting block member, supported by the support shaft at a position proximally of the pivot axis of the ring-shaped member is aligned with and cuttingly engages the ring-shaped member to cut or punch any tissue within the opening of the pivotal jaw member. The fixed cutter member can have a serrated, parallel rib surface facing the moveable jaw member, with at least one serration being taller than the others for blocking the entry of tissue or other foreign objects into the space wherein the pivotable member rotates thereby to prevent blocking of that rotation by such foreign objects.

Abstract: A surgical screw driver for inserting bone screws in bone tunnels in ligament reconstruction has, in a preferred embodiment, a rotatable operating shaft disposed at an angle to a drive shaft. A mechanism is on the drive shaft for retaining a bone screw. Methods of arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction include the steps of introducing a surgical screw driver through a portal that is offset from the longitudinal axis of a bone tunnel and driving a bone screw mounted on the driver in the bone tunnel to fixate a bone block in the bone tunnel.