Apparatus and methods are provided for performing a medical procedure, such as a laparoscopic appendectomy using a stapler apparatus including a reusable handle portion including a shaft include proximal and distal ends, a disposable end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft of the reusable handle carrying one or more staples. For example, the end effector may include first and second jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, the first jaw carrying a cartridge which includes the one or more staples. A Doppler sensor, a cutting element, and, optionally, a thermal element are also provided on the end effector. The end effector is introduced into a patient's body, tissue is positioned/locked between the jaws, and a plurality of staples are deployed into the tissue. The Doppler sensor is used to confirm that blood flow has discontinued in the stapled tissue, and the cutting element is actuated to sever the stapled tissue.

Apparatus and methods are provided for performing a medical procedure using a stapler apparatus including a reusable handle portion including a shaft include proximal and distal ends, a disposable end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft of the reusable handle carrying one or more staples. For example, the end effector may include first and second jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, the first jaw carrying a cartridge which includes the one or more staples. A Doppler sensor, cutting element, thermal element, and/or grasper may be provided on the end effector. The end effector is introduced into a patient's body, tissue is positioned/locked between the jaws, and a plurality of staples are deployed into the tissue. The Doppler sensor is used to confirm that blood flow has discontinued in the stapled tissue, and the cutting element is actuated to sever the stapled tissue.

An enhanced trocar for laparoscopic surgery has a proximal end, a distal end, and a tubular trocar body connecting and extending between the ends. The trocar body is shaped and sized to receive inline and retain therein tissue isolated and divided during a laparoscopic surgical procedure, to permit a surgeon to remove such tissue from the surgical site and dispose of the removed tissue without an additional dedicated disposal device.

In certain aspects, the invention relates to processes for using renally excretable optical agents to detect one or more tissues of the renal system of a surgical patient. In certain aspects, the invention relates to a kit including a biocompatible composition containing one or more optical agents and instructions for using the optical agent(s) in a process of the present invention.

A method of measuring risk assessment in a patient with appendicitis is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) measuring the TRAIL protein level in a blood sample of the patient; (b) providing a risk assessment based on the TRAIL protein level.

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.

Apparatus and methods are provided for performing a medical procedure, such as a laparoscopic appendectomy or tubal ligation, using a stapler apparatus including a handle portion including a shaft include proximal and distal ends, an end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft of the handle carrying one or more staples, and an imaging sleeve carried on the shaft. For example, the end effector may include first and second jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, the first jaw carrying a cartridge which includes the one or more staples. The end effector is introduced into a patient's body, tissue is positioned/locked between the jaws, and a plurality of staples are deployed into the tissue.

In certain aspects, the invention relates to processes for using renally excretable optical agents to detect one or more tissues of the renal system of a surgical patient. In certain aspects, the invention relates to a kit including a biocompatible composition containing one or more optical agents and instructions for using the optical agent(s) in a process of the present invention.

A device for accessing and removing a vermiform appendix without the need for surgical incisions may include a double-layered endotube fitted with electroceramic baffling; an endoscope extending through the endotube; instruments fitted within the endoscope and configured to interchangeably extend through at least one tool orifice in the distal end of the endoscope; an extension disk attached to a proximal end of the endotube; a controller operatively attached to the instruments through the extension disk, the controller configured to control and drive movement of the endotube, the endoscope, and the instruments; a casing attached to a distal end of the endotube; a pneumatic extensible cone housed within the casing, the pneumatic extensible cone configured to go from an undeployed position to a deployed position; and a cecoclosure device attached to the pneumatic extensible cone.

The triple endoscopic loop for laparoscopic appendectomy includes an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. A first loop is located at the distal end and secures the base of the appendix at a first point. A second loop is spaced apart from the first loop at the distal end, and secures the base of the appendix at a second point. A third loop is spaced apart from the second loop at the distal end, and secures the body of the appendix at a third point. A handle is located at the proximal end. The handle is connected to the first loop, the second loop and the third loop such that when the handle is pulled away from the cannula, the loops further secure the appendix at the first point, the second point, and the third point, respectively.