Snowden Pencer, Inc.

Genzyme Corporation

Greg Furnish

Michael Hipps

Coronary stabilizing retractor

Surgical instrument handle

The present invention provides a hand-held surgical instrument with an improved handle, the instrument being of the type generally comprised of a handle and a tool with a body member having at least one articulated member thereon. The handle of the present invention has an elongated base, an elongated lever, means for connecting the lever and base at a rearward pivot point, means for actuating the surgical tool, utilizing movement of the handle lever between an open and a closed position, means for biasing the lever in an open position, and a means for securing the lever at a plurality of preselected points between the open and closed positions.

An endoscopic surgical instrument having a surgical tool with at least one articulated member, a handle, a hollow elongated shaft connecting the tool and handle and having a hole in the shaft for flushing the shaft, and an actuating rod slidably disposed within the lumen of the shaft connecting the handle and the articulated member such that the handle can also be used to actuate the articulated member. Specifically, an endoscopic surgical instrument and an apparatus for attaching to endoscopic surgical instruments having a removable flush port which is in fluid communication with the lumen of the shaft and a removable collar which is removably affixed on the shaft of the instrument by the flush port such that the flush port simultaneously functions as a flush port and as a means for affixing the collar on the shaft.

Flush port for endoscopic surgical instruments

The present invention provides a hand-held surgical instrument with an improved handle, the instrument being of the type generally comprised of a handle and a tool with a body member having at least one articulated member thereon. The handle of the present invention has an elongated base, an elongated lever with an actuator arm projecting into the base and a means for connecting the lever and base at a predetermined point on the base, which mimics a natural pivot point of the surgeon's hand. A means for actuating the surgical tool by moving an actuator rod distally by closing the handle lever, means for biasing the lever in an open position, and support feet providing a stand for the instrument are also provided.

Surgical instrument handle and actuator means

This invention relates to endoscopic surgical instruments. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for sealing the opening of an endoscopic suction/irrigation valve assembly and probe through which auxiliary endoscopic surgical instruments are inserted. The apparatus provides at least one shaft sealing surface which slidably yet also frictionally grips the shaft of an instrument inserted therethrough to hold the instrument tool at a desired position relative to the tip of the suction/irrigation probe. The invention also provides a means for attaching the sealing member to the valve assembly and a flexible seal radially extending within the lumen of the flexible sealing member for receiving of the instrument therethrough. The flexible seal can be comprised of a plurality of valve leaflets, each of which is independently secured to the luminal surface of the body portion of the sealing member. The valve leaflets can be initially joined along their juxtaposed edges to form a frangible seal such that, when the frangible seal is fractured by insertion of an auxiliary instrument shaft, the leaflets are then move between an open and a normally closed position. These leaflets substantially seal the opening auxiliary instrument opening of the surgical valve assembly and probe during the interchange of auxiliary instruments.

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Lawrenceville, GA, United States of America

Greg Furnish