Laparoscopic surgical ligation and electrosurgical coagulation and cutting device

A laparoscopic surgical ligation and electrosurgical device comprising:

• an elongated handle having a distal end, a proximal end, a central passageway extending therethrough, a first channel along one side of said passageway and generally parallel thereto and a second channel along said handle, generally parallel to said passageway and spaced from said first channel;
• a suture extending through said central passageway and having a loop with a lip knot on the distal end thereof, said slip knot having a diameter larger than said central passageway, and a pull on the proximal end thereof so that by pulling on the pull, said slip knot is held by said distal end of said handle so that said loop can be drawn tightly about a tissue to be ligated;
• an electrosurgical wire slidably received in said first channel surrounded by an electrically insulated body portion extending through said first channel, said wire having a hook formed at the distal end thereof for grasping the tissue to be ligated and pulling it through said loop in said suture and an electrical connector at the proximal end thereof for connection to a source of electrosurgical power;
• and
• a ligation assist device slidably received in said second channel.

A method of tubal ligation comprising the steps of:

• introducing a trochar through the abdomen of the patient;
• inflating the abdomen of the patient;
• introducing a laparoscopic surgical ligation and surgical device through the trochar;
• pulling a section of the tube to be ligated though a loop formed by a slip knot in a suture;
• pulling the suture loop tight around the tube section to be ligated;
• cutting the suture adjacent the slip knot;
• and
• fulgurating the ligated tubal portion with an electrosurgical device.

A medical device for supplying a suture and one or more medical instruments to an operative site through a first trochar, the site being viewed by the surgeon through a second trochar, said device comprising:

• an elongated cylindrical body having an outer surface, a convex distal end and a proximal end;
• a central passageway extending through said cylindrical body from said proximal end to said convex distal end for receiving a suture;
• a first channel extending generally parallel to said central passageway along the edge of said cylindrical body from said distal end to said proximal end thereof for slidably receiving a first surgical instrument;
• and
• a traverse slot extending across said convex distal end of said body and intersecting said first channel to receive the distal end of the first surgical instrument when it is not in use.

A medical device for supplying a suture and one or more medical instruments to an operative site through a first trochar, the site being viewed by the surgeon through a second trochar, said device comprising:

• an elongated cylindrical body having an outer surface, a convex distal end and a proximal end;
• a central passageway extending through said cylindrical body from said proximal end to said distal end for receiving a suture;
• a first channel extending generally parallel to said central passageway along the edge of said cylindrical body from said distal end to said proximal end thereof for slidably receiving a first surgical instrument, said first channel intersecting said surface of said body;
• a second channel extending generally parallel to said central passageway along the edge of said cylindrical body from said distal and to said proximal end thereof and located opposite said first channel for slidably receiving a second surgical instrument;
• and
• a transverse slot extending across said convex distal end of said body and intersecting said first channel to receive the distal end of the first surgical instrument when it is not in use.