SURGICAL INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING FIBER OPTIC VIEWING SYSTEMS

摘要

A fiber-optic viewing system affixed to surgical instruments obviates the need for a separate endoscope when performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. One or more fiber-optic assemblies (36, 37), each including a large plurality of image fibers, are suitably affixed to the instrument (10) with the fiber-optic assemblies extending along substantially the entire length of the instrument from a proximity located handle (16) to a location adjacent the working element (14) of the instrument whereby the tissue to be cut, grasped, sewn or otherwise manipulated can be viewed from the perspective of the working element. Because the fiber-optic assemblies (36, 37) are made to conform to the general shape of the instrument, the desired balance and tactile response of the instrument (10) is maintained and the fiber-optic assembly (36, 37) does not tend to obscure the surgical site (14).