Surgical device and methods

Abstract

A system and method for abdominal surgery is disclosed. The system can have one or more end effectors that can be attached to an introducer and/or tray and inserted into the abdomen through a large puncture through the patient's umbilicus. The end effector can have a surgical tool, such as a grasper. The system can have a manipulatable control arm that can be inserted into the abdomen through a small puncture through the patient's body wall. The end effector can be attached to the control arm and simultaneously or concurrently detached from the introducer or tray. The control arm can then manipulate the end effector to perform the surgery.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for surgery in a body comprising:
 attaching a tool to an introducer outside of the body, wherein the tool has a tool longitudinal axis;   inserting a control element into the body through a second access site;   inserting the introducer through a first access site,   attaching the tool inside of the body to the control element; and   detaching the introducer from the tool, wherein attaching the tool to the control element is concurrent with detaching the introducer from the tool.   
     
     
         2 . A method for introducing multiple end effectors into the abdominal cavity of a patient, comprising:
 mounting a holder onto a laparoscope, and wherein the holder comprises multiple end effectors;   articulating the holder with respect to the laparoscope, wherein articulating comprises articulating the holder into a first low-profile position when the holder is outside of the patient; and   wherein articulating further comprises when the holder is inside the abdominal cavity articulating the holder to a second position where the holder is visible by the camera.   
     
     
         3 . A holder that allows for a end effector to be locked to a holder:
 wherein the end effector is configured to only be unlocked from the holder by a trans-corporeal component; and   wherein the end effector is configured to only be locked into the holder when the end effector is delivered into the holder by the trans-corporeal component and subsequently rotated.