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Side looking minimally invasive surgery instrument assembly

  • US 8,057,385 B2
  • Filed: 06/13/2007
  • Issued: 11/15/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surgical instrument assembly comprising:

  • a guide tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end portion having a distal end, and an intermediate position between the proximal end and the distal end portion, wherein a longitudinal axis extends between the proximal and distal ends;

    a first surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a U-turn mechanism, and a joint between the U-turn mechanism and the end effector,wherein the U-turn mechanism comprises a first end, a second end, and a permanent U-shape section between the first and second ends, the first end of the U-turn mechanism being affixed to and remaining fixed in position relative to the distal end of the guide tube, the second end of the U-turn mechanism being coupled to the end effector, the U-turn mechanism being configured to transmit actuation forces for the end effector and the joint through the U-turn mechanism, andwherein at least a part of the first surgical instrument including at least the U-turn mechanism, the joint, and the end effector extends out from the distal end of the guide tube;

    a second surgical instrument, wherein at least a part of the second surgical instrument extends out from the guide tube at the intermediate position, and wherein the at least a part of the second surgical instrument extends out generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide tube; and

    a stereoscopic image capture component positioned in a fixed location on the guide tube between the intermediate position and the distal end,wherein a field of view of the capture component is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide tube at a location proximal to the distal end of the guide tube.

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