Patent ID: 8518024
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of performing a minimally-invasive surgical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a surgical system, the surgical system including forming an incision through skin of a patient into an underlying peritoneal cavity; introducing a distal portion of the surgical system through the incision and into the peritoneal cavity by passing the distal portions of the tool cannulas and the distal end of the rigid support through the incision; releasably attaching the surgical system to an operating room fixture and positioning the surgical system such that the mount is at least partially elevated relative to a height of the incision; introducing an end effector of a first surgical instrument into the tool port of the first actuator, and advancing the end effector to cause the end effector to pass into and through the lumen of the first tool cannula and into the peritoneal cavity, and further causing a proximal portion of the first surgical instrument to contact the first actuator; introducing an end effector of a second surgical instrument into and through the tool port of the first actuator, and advancing the end effector to cause the end effector to pass into and through the lumen of the second tool cannula and into the peritoneal cavity, and further causing a proximal portion of the second surgical instrument to contact the second actuator; and steering the distal end of the first tool cannula by laterally moving a handle of the first instrument; steering the distal end of the second tool cannula by laterally moving a handle of the second instrument; and performing a surgical procedure on body tissue within the peritoneal cavity using the first and second instruments; wherein each actuator is provided to include a gimbal comprising steering the distal end of the first tool cannula includes laterally moving the handle of the first instrument to move the proximal member of the actuator relative to the distal member thereby activating the pull cables.