Innovative handles for use in minimally invasive surgery

Most of the handles available for laparoscopic surgery are not ergonomicall y designed. Based on I anatomic, physiologic and ergonomic principles, new criteria for handles for laparoscopic surgery have I been developed. In min imally invasive surgery, handles have to be adjustable for various hand siz es. The functional elements need to be operated by the sensitive parts of t he fingers, without causing pressure areas. Rotation movements have to be t ransmitted directly to the effector; the instrument's shaft represents an i mmediate extension of the lower arm rotation axis. Taking these factors int o account, new concepts for handles were developed. The multi-functional ha ndle 'MFEHG Schafreuter' is shaped to fit either the right or left hand. Ma nipulation of the various functional elements is carried out using the firs t three fingers, while the handle rests in the half-closed hand. The vario- handle 'VG Hirschberg' is shaped to fit either hand and can be held in vari ous grip positions for precise dissection, or for strenuous work. Both hand les fulfil ergonomic criteria and support a bimanual and more ergonomical l aparoscopic surgery.