A surgical instrument includes a steering unit capable of articulation and a locking device connected to the steering unit and configured to lock or unlock at least any one of a pitch motion or a yaw motion of the steering unit, in which the locking device includes a first body part coupled to the steering unit, a second body part coupled to the steering unit and capable of moving relative to the first body part, and a locking unit capable of moving between the first body part and the second body part and simultaneously contacting the first body part and the second body part.

A surgical instrument comprising a shiftable transmission is disclosed. The transmission comprises a mechanism for assuring that the transmission is in one of a plurality of predefined configurations.

Surgical tools and assemblies are employed for use in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures. A surgical tool assembly includes a handle assembly and a frame assembly. The handle assembly and frame assembly are designed and constructed to have an articulation input joint and a grounding joint between them. A pitch rotational degree of freedom and a yaw rotational degree of freedom are provided by way of the articulation input joint. The handle assembly is translationally constrained relative to the frame assembly by way of the grounding joint. Intermediate bodies and joints can be provided in certain surgical tool assemblies and architectures.

Aspects of a device are described. One aspect is a device comprising: a housing having a first portion engageable with a scope, and a second portion engageable with a handle of a retrieval device; a platform that is movable relative to the housing, and engageable with a slider of the retrieval device; and a link assembly that is coupled the housing and the platform, and operable to move the platform and slider relative to the housing and handle. Aspects of related devices and systems also are described.

Provided is an instrument for surgery and, more specifically, to an instrument for surgery which can be manually operated in order to be used for laparoscopic surgery or various types of surgery.

A multifunctional surgical instrument for extension of laparotomic, laparoscopic, robotic and thoracotomic incisions allows at the same time the spreading apart of the cutaneous/subcutaneous corners, pinching and lifting of the deep parietal layer, its dissection with the electrosurgical knife and protection of the surrounding and underlying tissues, particularly the intestinal ansae in the peritoneal cavity, during the dissection itself.

Provided are surgical instruments, and more particularly, surgical instruments that may be manually operated to perform laparoscopic operations or various surgical operations.

A surgical instrument system comprising a first motor, a second motor, and a third motor is disclosed. The surgical instrument system comprises a first handle comprising a first number of controls, a second handle comprising a second number of controls, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly is attachable to the first handle in a first orientation in order to engage one of the motors. The shaft assembly is attachable to the second handle in a second orientation to engage a different motor. The surgical instrument system is configured to perform a different function of an end effector in the first orientation and the second orientation.

A dual functioning instrument set, comprising a needle and guide, has not only the capabilities to enter and insufflate the abdominal cavity but also the ability of a suture passer to carry and retrieve suture for closure of the incision sites at the end of the procedure. The needle contains a deployable snare that is used to pass and retrieve suture. The guide is used to repeatedly locate the needle relative to the inner abdominal wall allowing for consistent placement of sutures. For insufflation purposes, obturator tips having different distal structures are provided for shielding the sharp needle tip after insertion through a body wall.

An self-actuating grasping device and corresponding method of using the grasping device for retrieving a foreign object from a location in a patient's body. The grasping device has a handle with a self-actuating mechanism, an actuator on the handle coupled to an actuator wire, an elongated shaft member extending distally from the handle with the actuation wire coaxially disposed therein and opposing jaws at a distal end of the elongated shaft member that are coupled to the actuation wire and pivot between open and closed configurations. The self-actuating mechanism has a bias that imparts a closing force to the opposing jaws through the actuation wire. Actuation of the actuator is configured to impart an opening force to the opposing jaws through the actuation wire.