Methods for identifying the presence of cancerous cells or tissue by: applying a compound of formula (I), or salts thereof, to a living body, ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 represents hydrogen or the same or different one to four substituents; R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 independently represent hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, or halogen; R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 independently represent hydrogen or alkyl; and X represents C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkylene; and detecting fluorescence emitted by a compound of formula (II), ##STR00002##
wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, and R.sup.9 are as defined above; wherein fluorescence emitted by a compound of formula (II) is indicative of the presence of cancerous cells or tissue.

A method for dissecting a myoma from a uterine wall includes inserting a myomectomy screw retractor into a surgical site, articulating a tool assembly positioned at a distal end of the myomectomy screw retractor such that a screw of the tool assembly is positioned adjacent to the myoma orthogonal to the uterine wall, rotating the screw of the tool assembly into the myoma until the screw is substantially engaged with the myoma, manipulating the myoma by pitching, rotating, and/or providing traction to the myoma to expose cutting planes, and dissecting the myoma from the uterine wall by cutting along the exposed cutting planes.

Diathermy tonsillectomy suction dissector apparatus has a body having a proximal handle, a distal curved tip and a diathermy cutting blade member slidably retained within the body to selectively extend from the tip. The diathermy cutting blade member comprises a flexible metallic blade comprising a proximal electrical connector socket and a hand operable electrically insulative position locking mechanism attached to the blade. The locking mechanism is hand operable via apertures and interlocks therewith to position the diathermy cutting blade member between retracted and extended positions and to lock the diathermy cutting blade member at the extended position.

Diathermy tonsillectomy suction dissector apparatus has a body having a proximal handle, a distal curved tip and a diathermy cutting blade member slidably retained within the body to selectively extend from the tip. The diathermy cutting blade member comprises a flexible metallic blade comprising a proximal electrical connector socket and a hand operable electrically insulative position locking mechanism attached to the blade. The locking mechanism is hand operable via apertures and interlocks therewith to position the diathermy cutting blade member between retracted and extended positions and to lock the diathermy cutting blade member at the extended position.

A tissue removal tool for use with an endoscope. The tool includes a loop formed by a piece of wire. The loop is movable between an open position and a closed position. The shape of the loop is defined in the open position by a proximal portion and a distal portion. The piece of wire may have a cross-sectional height in the proximal portion unequal to a cross-sectional height in the distal portion.

A surgical retrieval apparatus includes a tube assembly, a cartridge assembly, and a plunger assembly. The cartridge assembly is releasably engagable with the tube assembly and includes an end effector assembly disposed therein. The end effector assembly includes a specimen retrieval bag releasably coupled thereto at a distal end thereof and a first engagement member disposed at a proximal end thereof. The plunger assembly is configured for insertion through the tube assembly and into the cartridge assembly. The plunger assembly includes a second engagement member configured for releasably engaging the first engagement member. When the first and second engagement members are engaged with one another, the plunger assembly is movable between a more proximal position, wherein the end effector assembly and specimen retrieval bag are retracted within the cartridge assembly, and a more distal position, wherein the end effector assembly and specimen retrieval bag are deployed from the cartridge assembly.

A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending therefrom, an end effector assembly supported by the shaft, a movable handle, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a translatable drive member for actuating the end effector assembly, and a torsion spring including first and second legs. The first leg is configured to translate through the housing in response to movement of the movable handle relative to the housing. The second leg is configured to translate through the housing in cooperation with the first leg to move the drive member longitudinally when a force acting on the drive member is less than a threshold force, and to remain in fixed position, thereby tensioning the torsion spring and retaining the drive member in fixed position when the force acting on the drive member is equal to or exceeds the threshold force.

A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending therefrom, an end effector assembly supported by the shaft, a movable handle, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a translatable drive member for actuating the end effector assembly, and a torsion spring including first and second legs. The first leg is configured to translate through the housing in response to movement of the movable handle relative to the housing. The second leg is configured to translate through the housing in cooperation with the first leg to move the drive member longitudinally when a force acting on the drive member is less than a threshold force, and to remain in fixed position, thereby tensioning the torsion spring and retaining the drive member in fixed position when the force acting on the drive member is equal to or exceeds the threshold force.

Embodiments include an end effector including an anvil, the anvil having an anvil face, an anvil blade channel defined by the anvil face, a first pocket row of first row staple pockets, a second pocket row of second row staple pockets, a third pocket row of third row staple pockets, a fourth pocket row of fourth row staple pockets, a fifth pocket row of fifth row staple pockets, a sixth pocket row of sixth row staple pockets, a cartridge having a cartridge face defining a cartridge blade channel, the cartridge being configured to retain a plurality of staples, and a blade, the blade having a cutting edge, where the blade is movable from a first position at a distal end of the cartridge to a second position at a proximal end of the cartridge.

Embodiments include an end effector including an anvil, the anvil having an anvil face, an anvil blade channel defined by the anvil face, a first pocket row of first row staple pockets, a second pocket row of second row staple pockets, a third pocket row of third row staple pockets, a fourth pocket row of fourth row staple pockets, a fifth pocket row of fifth row staple pockets, a sixth pocket row of sixth row staple pockets, a cartridge having a cartridge face defining a cartridge blade channel, the cartridge being configured to retain a plurality of staples, and a blade, the blade having a cutting edge, where the blade is movable from a first position at a distal end of the cartridge to a second position at a proximal end of the cartridge.