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An endoscopic surgical instrument is provided that includes a handle portion, an elongated middle portion, an articulating portion and a tool portion. The tool portion is steerable by control mechanisms disposed on the handle portion which are accessible to a single hand of a user of the endoscopic

An endoscopic surgical instrument is provided that includes a handle portion, an elongated middle portion, an articulating portion and a tool portion. The tool portion is steerable by control mechanisms disposed on the handle portion which are accessible to a single hand of a user of the endoscopic surgical instrument. The endoscopic surgical instrument is advantageously employed in a variety of endoscopic surgical techniques, including transgastric or transluminal surgery.

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1. An endoscopic surgical instrument, comprising: a handle portion on a proximal end of the endoscopic surgical instrument;an elongated middle portion having a length, and comprising a proximal end which is coupled to the handle portion and consisting of components which extend along substantially t

1. An endoscopic surgical instrument, comprising: a handle portion on a proximal end of the endoscopic surgical instrument;an elongated middle portion having a length, and comprising a proximal end which is coupled to the handle portion and consisting of components which extend along substantially the entire length of the elongated middle portion that are formed of flexible materials;an articulating portion coupled to a distal end of the elongated middle portion comprising a plurality of link members coupled together such that the articulating portion is bendable in a plane;a tool portion on a distal end of the endoscopic surgical instrument, coupled to a distal end of the articulating portion; andan articulation control member disposed on the handle portion that is moveable in the plane and coupled to the articulating portion to control movement of the articulating portion;wherein the plane of movement of the articulation control member substantially corresponds to the plane of movement of the bending of the articulating portion. 2. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongated middle portion includes at least one lumen along its length and wherein the tool portion is coupled to a tool insert disposed in the elongated middle portion, and the tool insert is coupled at its proximal end to a lever member disposed on the handle portion such that movement of the lever member exerts a force on the tool insert to actuate the tool portion. 3. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the tool insert and tool portion are removable as a unit and replaceable with one of a plurality of other tool insert and tool portion units having different configurations. 4. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the lever member includes a friction-enhancing coating on a portion thereof to reduce unwanted movement of the lever member. 5. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the tool insert is adapted to conduct electricity to the tool portion from a power source which is coupled to the proximal end of the tool insert. 6. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the articulation control member and the lever member are simultaneously accessible by a single hand of a user holding the instrument. 7. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the articulation control member is positioned to be accessible by a thumb of the single hand holding the endoscopic surgical instrument and the lever member is positioned to be simultaneously accessible by a finger of the single hand holding the endoscopic surgical member. 8. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the endoscopic instrument is used for the transmission of fluid matter to or from a surgical site. 9. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the handle portion includes a lever lock mechanism which engages a notched portion of the lever member and locks the lever member in a selected position. 10. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the endoscopic surgical instrument further comprises two control wires disposed in the elongated middle portion each coupled to the articulation control member and coupled to the distal end of the articulating portion. 11. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the control wires and the articulation control member are connected to a drum which is rotatably connected to the handle portion. 12. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein a drum is rotatably connected to the handle portion, and wherein the control wires and the articulation control member are connected to the drum such that movement of the articulation control member causes rotation of the drum in the plane of movement of the articulation control member, thereby exerting force on the control wires. 13. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the handle portion includes a slide lock mechanism which frictionally engages the articulation control member and locks the articulation control member in a selected position. 14. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the articulation control member includes a friction-enhancing coating on a portion thereof to reduce unwanted movement of the articulation control member. 15. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the tool insert is also coupled to a rotating control member which transmits rotation about the longitudinal axis of the elongated middle portion to the tool insert which in turn rotates the tool portion relative to the articulating portion. 16. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the rotating control member rotates in increments among a selected number of fixed positions. 17. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the rotating control member includes a friction-enhancing coating on a portion thereof to reduce unwanted movement of the rotating control member. 18. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the handle portion includes a rotation lock mechanism which frictionally engages the rotating control member and locks the rotating control member in a selected position. 19. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein the lever member, the lever lock mechanism, the articulation control member, the slide lock mechanism, the rotating control member, and the rotating lock mechanism are accessible by a single hand of a user of the endoscopic surgical instrument. 20. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein the lever member, the articulation control member, the rotating control member, and the rotating lock mechanism are simultaneously accessible by a single hand of a user holding the endoscopic surgical instrument. 21. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the endoscopic surgical instrument is adapted for use by both a left hand alone and a right hand alone of a user of the endoscopic surgical instrument. 22. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the endoscopic surgical instrument is substantially sealed. 23. An endoscopic surgical instrument, comprising: a handle portion on a proximal end of the endoscopic surgical instrument;an elongated middle portion having a length, and comprising a proximal end which is coupled to the handle portion, at least one lumen along its length, and consisting of components which extend along substantially the entire length of the elongated middle portion that are formed of flexible materials;an articulating portion coupled to a distal end of the elongated middle portion comprising a plurality of link members coupled together such that the articulating portion is bendable in a plane;a tool portion on a distal end of the endoscopic surgical instrument, coupled to a distal end of the articulating portion; andtwo control wires each disposed in the elongated middle portion, wherein the two control wires are coupled to an articulation control member disposed on the handle portion and are coupled to the distal end of the articulating portion and wherein the articulation control member is movable in a plane and such movement controls the bending of the articulating portion. 24. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 23, wherein the control wires and the articulation control member are connected to a drum which is rotatably connected to the handle portion. 25. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 23, wherein a drum is rotatably connected to the handle portion, and wherein the control wires and the articulation control member are connected to the drum such that movement of the articulation control member causes rotation of the drum in the plane of movement of the articulation control member, thereby exerting force on the control wires. 26. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 23, wherein the plane of movement of the articulation control member substantially corresponds to the plane of movement of the bending of the articulating portion. 27. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 23, wherein the handle portion includes a slide lock mechanism which frictionally engages the articulation control member and locks the articulation control member in a selected position. 28. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 23, wherein the articulation control member includes a friction-enhancing coating on a portion thereof to reduce unwanted movement of the articulation control member. 29. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 23, wherein the tool portion is coupled to a tool insert disposed in the elongated middle portion, and the tool insert is coupled at its proximal end to a lever member disposed on the handle portion such that movement of the lever member exerts a force on the tool insert to actuate the tool portion. 30. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 29, wherein the tool insert and tool portion are removable as a unit and replaceable with one of a plurality of other tool insert and tool portion units having different configurations. 31. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 29, wherein the handle portion includes a lever lock mechanism which engages a notched portion of the lever member and locks the lever member in a selected position. 32. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 29, wherein the lever member includes a friction-enhancing coating on a portion thereof to reduce unwanted movement of the lever member. 33. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 29, wherein the articulation control member and the lever member are disposed on the handle portion so as to be simultaneously accessible by a single hand of a user of the endoscopic surgical instrument. 34. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 29, wherein the tool insert is adapted to conduct electricity to the tool portion from a power source which is coupled near the proximal end of the tool insert. 35. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 29, wherein the tool insert is also coupled to a rotating control member which transmits rotation about the longitudinal axis of the elongated middle portion to the tool insert which in turn rotates the tool portion relative to the articulating portion. 36. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 35, wherein the rotating control member rotates in increments among a selected number of fixed positions. 37. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 35, wherein the rotating control member includes a friction-enhancing coating on a portion thereof to reduce unwanted movement of the rotating control member. 38. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 35, wherein the handle portion includes a rotation lock mechanism which frictionally engages the rotating control member and locks the rotating control member in a selected position. 39. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 23, wherein the endoscopic surgical instrument is adapted for use by both a left hand alone and a right hand alone of a user of the endoscopic surgical instrument. 40. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 23, wherein the endoscopic surgical instrument is substantially sealed. 41. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 23, wherein the endoscopic instrument is used for the transmission of fluid matter to or from a surgical site. 42. An endoscopic surgical instrument, comprising: a handle portion on a proximal end of the endoscopic surgical instrument;an elongated middle portion having a length, and comprising a proximal end which is coupled to the handle portion, at least one lumen along its length, and consisting of components which extend along substantially the entire length of the elongated middle portion that are formed of flexible materials;an articulating portion coupled to a distal end of the elongated middle portion comprising a plurality of link members coupled together such that the articulating portion is bendable in a plane;a tool portion on a distal end of the endoscopic surgical instrument, coupled to a distal end of the articulating portion;two control wires each disposed in the elongated middle portion, wherein the two control wires are coupled to an articulation control member disposed on the handle portion and are coupled to the distal end of the articulating portion and wherein the articulation control member is movable in a plane and such movement controls the bending of the articulating portion; andwherein the plane of movement of the articulation control member substantially corresponds to the plane of movement of the bending of the articulating portion. 43. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 42, wherein the tool portion is coupled to a tool insert disposed in the elongated middle portion, and the tool insert is coupled at its proximal end to a lever member disposed on the handle portion such that movement of the lever member exerts a force on the tool insert to actuate the tool portion. 44. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 43, wherein the tool insert and tool portion are removable as a unit and replaceable with one of a plurality of other tool insert and tool portion units having different configurations. 45. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 43, wherein the articulation control member and the lever member are disposed on the handle portion so as to be simultaneously accessible by a single hand of a user of the endoscopic surgical instrument. 46. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 43, wherein the lever member includes a friction-enhancing coating on a portion thereof to reduce unwanted movement of the lever member. 47. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 43, wherein the tool insert is also coupled to a rotating control member which transmits rotation about the longitudinal axis of the elongated middle portion to the tool insert which in turn rotates the tool portion relative to the articulating portion. 48. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 47, wherein the rotating control member rotates in increments among a selected number of fixed positions. 49. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 47, wherein the rotating control member includes a friction-enhancing coating on a portion thereof to reduce unwanted movement of the rotating control member. 50. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 47, wherein the handle portion includes a slide lock mechanism which frictionally engages the articulation control member and locks the articulation control member in a selected position. 51. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 50, wherein the handle portion includes a lever lock mechanism which engages a notched portion of the lever member and locks the lever member in a selected position. 52. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 51, wherein the handle portion includes a rotation lock mechanism which frictionally engages the rotating control member and locks the rotating control member in a selected position. 53. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 52, wherein the lever member, the lever lock mechanism, the articulation control member, the slide lock mechanism, the rotating control member, and the rotating lock mechanism are accessible by a single hand of a user of the endoscopic surgical instrument. 54. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 42, wherein the control wires and the articulation control member are connected to a drum which is rotatably connected to the handle portion. 55. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 42, wherein a drum is rotatably connected to the handle portion, and wherein the control wires and the articulation control member are connected to the drum such that movement of the articulation control member causes rotation of the drum in the plane of movement of the articulation control member, thereby exerting force on the control wires. 56. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 42, wherein the plane of movement of the articulation control member substantially corresponds to the plane of movement of the bending of the articulating portion. 57. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 42, wherein the articulation control member includes a friction-enhancing coating on a portion thereof to reduce unwanted movement of the articulation control member. 58. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 42, wherein the endoscopic surgical instrument is adapted for use by both a left hand alone and a right hand alone of a user of the endoscopic surgical instrument. 59. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 42, wherein the endoscopic surgical instrument is substantially sealed. 60. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 42, wherein the endoscopic surgical instrument is used for the transmission of fluid matter to or from a surgical site. 61. An endoscopic surgical instrument, comprising: a handle portion on a proximal end of the endoscopic surgical instrument;an elongated middle portion having a length, and comprising a proximal end which is coupled to the handle portion and consisting of components which extend along substantially the entire length of the elongated middle portion that are formed of flexible materials;an articulating portion coupled to a distal end of the elongated middle portion comprising a plurality of link members coupled together such that the articulating portion is bendable in a plane; anda tool portion on a distal end of the endoscopic surgical instrument, coupled to a distal end of the articulating portion;wherein the elongated middle portion includes at least one lumen along its length and wherein the tool portion is coupled to a tool insert disposed in the elongated middle portion, and the tool insert is coupled at its proximal end to a lever member disposed on the handle portion such that movement of the lever member exerts a force on the tool insert to actuate the tool portion; andwherein the tool insert is also coupled to a rotating control member which transmits rotation about the longitudinal axis of the elongated middle portion to the tool insert which in turn rotates the tool portion relative to the articulating portion. 62. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 61, wherein the rotating control member rotates in increments among a selected number of fixed positions. 63. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 61, wherein the rotating control member includes a friction-enhancing coating on a portion thereof to reduce unwanted movement of the rotating control member. 64. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 61, wherein the handle portion includes a rotation lock mechanism which frictionally engages the rotating control member and locks the rotating control member in a selected position. 65. The endoscopic surgical instrument of claim 64, further comprising an articulation control member disposed on the handle portion that is moveable in the plane and coupled to the articulating portion to control movement of the articulating portion wherein the plane of movement of the articulation control member substantially corresponds to the plane of movement of the bending of the articulating portion.