Controllable surgical instrument within trocar for min. invasive surgery - has manipulating and insertion parts, flexible part connected to end of insertion part which is movable and controllable, and effector fitted to flexible part

摘要

The surgical instrument has a support system movable about the axis of the insertion part (3). The insertion part is capable of a limited swivel movement within the trocar (7). The effector (6) of a selected type, e.g gripper, shears, tongs or coagulation tongs, can be fitted or removed at the distant end of the moving and controllable part (4). The drive for the flexible end and/or the fitted effector may be a pneumatic, hydraulic, electric drive or a drive based on an ultrasonic travelling wave beam or a shape memory alloy (SMA). A duct exists in the instrument, through which e.g. a glass fibre optic can be inserted, across which a laser light can be fed for operative purposes. A sensor can be led through the duct, for scanning tissue at the place of operation or for diagnosis. Electric mini motors at the manipulating part (1) and the tension cable driven from it serve the effector and/or the flexible part and/or the effector can be rotated across a tube or a torsion rigid cable. ADVANTAGE - Can be positioned and operated singlehandedly, facilitates non-tiring work over long period and extends operational range in body of patient.