Apparatus and methods for performing minimally-invasive surgical procedures

Abstract

Devices, tools and methods for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. Methods of performing minimally invasive ablation procedures. Methods of performing rapid exchange of tools in a device while the device remains in a reduced-access surgical space.

1 - 87 . (canceled) 
     
     
         88 . A surgical device for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures, said device comprising:
 an elongated body having distal and proximal end portions and at least two lumens extending generally along a direction of a longitudinal axis of said elongated body; and   an endoscope positioned in one of said at least two lumens that is configured and dimensioned for receiving said endoscope therein; wherein a distal end of said elongated body extends distally past a distal end of said endoscope to shield said distal end of said endoscope during use.   
     
     
         89 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein said distal end of said elongated body is open. 
     
     
         90 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein one of said at least one lumens comprises an irrigation lumen. 
     
     
         91 . The device of  claim 90 , further comprising a nozzle at a distal end of said irrigation lumen. 
     
     
         92 . The device of  claim 91 , wherein said nozzle is oriented toward said distal end of said endoscope. 
     
     
         93 . The device of  claim 91 , wherein said nozzle is located out of a field of view of said endoscope. 
     
     
         94 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein said distal end portion of said elongated body is transparent to allow visualization therethrough. 
     
     
         95 . The device of  claim 88 , further comprising a snare device extending through one of said at least two lumens of said elongated body, said snare device having a snare on a distal end thereof. 
     
     
         96 . The device of  claim 95 , wherein said snare device further comprises a snare on a proximal end thereof. 
     
     
         97 . The device of  claim 90 , further comprising a snare device extending through one of said at least two lumens of said elongated body, said snare device having a snare on a distal end thereof. 
     
     
         98 - 119 . (canceled) 
     
     
         120 . A surgical device for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures, said device comprising a jig having slots configured and dimensioned to receive and releasably fix an endoscope and at least one tool thereto for rapid exchange procedures. 
     
     
         121 . The surgical device of  claim 120 , wherein a pair of said jigs configured with said slots is provided. 
     
     
         122 . The surgical device of  claim 120 , wherein an endoscope and a snare catheter are each releasably fixed to the jig. 
     
     
         123 . A surgical device for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures, said device comprising:
 a jig having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to receive and releasably fix a tool thereto for rapid exchange procedures; and   an opening configured and dimensioned to receive an endoscope therethrough, wherein said endoscope is freely slidable with respect to said jig.   
     
     
         124 . The device of  claim 123 , comprising a pair of said jigs each configured with said openings. 
     
     
         125 . The device of  claim 123 , wherein each said jig comprises at least two of said openings for releasably fixing at least two tools. 
     
     
         126 . The device of  claim 125 , further comprising an endoscope slidably received within said jig, and a snare catheter releasably fixed to said jig. 
     
     
         127 . The device of  claim 125 , further comprising an endoscope slidably received within said jig, a snare catheter releasably fixed to said jig, and a second tool releasably fixed to said jig. 
     
     
         128 . The device of  claim 127 , wherein said second tool comprises a suction tube. 
     
     
         129 - 225 . (canceled)