Importance

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Abstract

A multiple tool laparoscopic surgical instrument that includes a hand piece, an outer conduit connected to the hand piece, four inner conduits within the outer conduit, an interior channel within the outer conduit, a hypodermic needle housed at least partially within a first one of the inner conduits, an electrocautery cutting tool housed at least partially within a second one of the inner conduit, and a needle electrode housed at least partially within a third one of the inner conduits. In operation, the interior channel of the outer conduit, which is connected to an external source of irrigating fluid and a suction device, is used to provide gentle irrigation as well as suction. A fourth one of the inner conduits, which preferably has a cross sectional area smaller than that of the interior channel of the outer conduit, is also connected to an external source of irrigating fluid to provide more vigorous irrigation. The hypodermic needle, electrocautery cutting tool and the needle electrode are individually and selectively extended and retracted to perform desired surgical tasks with each such tool.

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First Claim