Patent ID: 8097000

Claim:
A method for performing a hybrid laparoscopic-endoscopic procedure, comprising: inserting a medical instrument laparoscopically through an abdominal wall and into a gastric cavity, the medical instrument including a distal end within the gastric cavity and a proximal end external of the gastric cavity, the proximal end including a handle for controlling operation of a driving mechanism of the medical instrument; inserting an overtube transorally into the gastric cavity to provide an access path to the gastric cavity; passing an end effector transorally to a surgical site through the overtube, the end effector including an operative element; attaching the end effector to the distal end of the medical instrument while the medical instrument is positioned within the gastric cavity, wherein the step of attaching includes securing the driving mechanism to the operative element of the end effector permitting the transfer of motion to the operative element based upon actuation of the handle; and using the operative element of the end effector to perform a procedure within the gastric cavity while the end effector is attached to the medical instrument, wherein actuation of the operative element is controlled by actuation of the handle.