RIGID AND FLEXIBLE LAPAROSCOPIC TOOL SHAFTS AND METHODS USING SAME

摘要

Laparoscopic tool shafts and devices and methods for enhancing their rigidity in general or in specific directions are provided. Laparoscopic tool shafts having rigid external shafts and relatively rigid rods and laparoscopic tool shafts having flexible external shafts and relatively rigid rods are also provided. The procedure described in the background section can be accomplished using a thin laparoscopic tool shaft, which has the advantage of making only a small entrance wound. It is however a disadvantage of thin shafts that they may in some cases be more flexible than would be desired in a surgical tool.