Surgical adapter

Abstract

A surgical system is provided that includes a device body that has a working channel providing a pathway for an instrument, an extension adjuster engaged with the device body, the extension adjuster also including a stop. The stop is disposed a predetermined distance from the working channel such that the stop and the distal end of the working channel cooperate to define an effective working channel length. The instrument may be inserted through the working channel and protrude outwardly from the distal end of the working channel. The extent of the protrusion is limited by the effective working channel length whereby the stop prevents further insertion of the instrument.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A surgical adapter for use with an instrument comprising:
 a mounting bracket having a wall member; and   a selectively adjustable extension adjuster engaged with said mounting bracket, the extension adjuster having a stop located a predetermined distance from the wall member said mounting bracket, the stop operably configured to keep a portion of the instrument away from said wall member of said mounting bracket by the predetermined distance.   
     
     
         21 . The surgical adapter of  claim 20 , the extension adjuster further including:
 a first extension member; and   a second extension member cooperatively engaging said first extension member such that said second extension member movingly engages said first extension member to set the predetermined distance.   
     
     
         22 . The surgical adapter of  claim 20 , wherein said extension adjuster further comprises an abutting surface disposed upon the stop for selectively engaging the instrument; and
 wherein further movement of the instrument towards said wall member of said mounting bracket is prevented by the engagement of said portion of the instrument with the abutting surface.   
     
     
         24 . The surgical adapter of  claim 20 , wherein said surgical adapter further comprises:
 a first guide element engaged with said mounting bracket; wherein the first guide element is configured for operably engaging with a complementary second guide element engaged with the instrument; and   wherein said first guide element and said second guide element cooperatively engage for aligning the instrument with the surgical adapter.   
     
     
         25 . The surgical adapter of  claim 20 , wherein said mounting bracket further includes a support receiver for engaging a support device, whereby said support device stabilizes the surgical system relative to a surgical site. 
     
     
         26 . A surgical adapter for use with an instrument, the surgical adapter comprising:
 a mounting bracket;   an extension adjuster engaged with said mounting bracket and including a stop, said extension adjuster locating the stop a predetermined distance away from a portion of said mounting bracket, whereby the stop selectively engages the instrument; and   a guide system operably connected to said mounting bracket for aligning the instrument with the surgical adapter.   
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The surgical adapter of  claim 31 , wherein said guide system further comprises:
 at least one first guide element integrated with said mounting bracket; and   at least one second guide element cooperatively engaging said at least one first guide element for aligning the medical instrument with the surgical adapter.   
     
     
         29 . The surgical adapter of  claim 21 , wherein the first extension member is fixedly secured to the wall member of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical adapter of  claim 29 , wherein the first extension member is configured with external threads and the second extension member is configured with internal threads that are configured with mate with the external threads of the first extension member such that rotation of the second extension member in a first direction moves a distal end of the second extension member toward the wall member of the mounting bracket and rotation of the second extension member in a second direction moves a distal end of the second extension member away from the wall member of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical adapter of  claim 26 , the extension adjuster further including:
 a first extension member; and   a second extension member cooperatively engaging said first extension member such that said second extension member movingly engages said first extension member to set the predetermined distance.   
     
     
         32 . The surgical adapter of  claim 31 , wherein the first extension member is fixedly secured to the wall member of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical adapter of  claim 32 , wherein the first extension member is configured with external threads and the second extension member is configured with internal threads that are configured with mate with the external threads of the first extension member such that rotation of the second extension member in a first direction moves a distal end of the second extension member toward the wall member of the mounting bracket and rotation of the second extension member in a second direction moves a distal end of the second extension member away from the wall member of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical adapter of  claim 20 , wherein the first extension member further comprises a passage extending therethrough;
 wherein the second extension member includes an interior chamber, the second extension member further includes an outer opening that is communication with the interior chamber; and   wherein the first extension member is received within the interior chamber of the second extension member so as to mate the first and second extension members together.