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Abstract

A surgical instrument for laparoscopic and endoscopic treatment of tissue and organs is disclosed. It includes a handle with a tubular member extending therefrom. Disposed within the tubular member and extending from the distal end thereof is an extendable and retractable grasping loop or belt, joined at its proximal ends to a slide assembly contained within the handle. The slide member assembly includes a thumb loop, and finger grips mounted on the handle receive additional fingers of the surgeon. Proximal movement of the thumb loop withdraws the belt further into the tubular member to close the grasping loop, while distal movement extends the belt outward to form a flexible grasping loop at the distal end of the instrument to open it to encompass the organ or tissue. The flexible grasping loop may be placed around an internal organ or tissue, then its grasp tightened by proximal movement of the thumb loop. Rotation of the organ during grasping may be achieved by either rotating the instrument about its longitudinal axis or by manipulation of a specialized rotator assembly mounted within the housing for turning the organ about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis.

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First Claim