Surgical grasper devices

An endoscopic surgical grasper device comprising:

• a member having a handle member and first and second grasping arms;
• first and second grasping elements attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively, and positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping of a targeted surface between the elements;
• and
• a gripping material on the surface of one or both of the grasping elements, the material providing enhanced holding power to the targeted surface relative to the holding power provided by the elements in the absence of the gripping material.

A method for manipulating tissue in an endoscopic surgical procedure, comprising:

• (a) providing an endoscopic surgical grasper device that comprises (i) a housing member having a handle member at a proximal end and first and second grasping arms at a distal end;
• (ii) first and second grasping elements attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively, and positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping of a targeted surface between the elements;
• and (iii) gripping element on one or both of the grasping elements, the material providing enhanced holding power to the targeted surface relative to the holding power provided by the elements in the absence of the gripping material;
• (b) in an endoscopic surgical procedure, introducing the grasper device into a patient and manipulating tissue of the patient with the grasper device.