The evolving design of laparoscopic instruments.

Due to the rapid acceptance of new laparoscopic techniques, older instruments have been directly adapted to new purposes. The new laparoscopic applications and the evolution of these techniques have led to specific new designs. In this paper the evolution of laparoscopic instruments towards better safety standards with regard to sterility is examined. It is found that although the problem of sterility can be solved, this comes at an increased cost.