Methods and devices for performing abdominal surgery

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a control portion comprising a plurality of tubular shaft portions and a plurality of control rods, each of the plurality of tubular shaft portions having a diameter of less than or equal to about 2.5 mm, each control rod extending through one of the plurality of shaft portions; and

a tool portion having a plurality of tool rods and a plurality of tool cables, the plurality of tool rods being positioned circumferentially from each other around a central axis of the tool portion, each of the plurality of tool cables connected to one of the plurality of control rods, each of the tool rods being removably connected to one of the plurality of control rods.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of tool connectors, wherein each of the plurality of tool cables is connected to one of the plurality of tool rods by one of the tool connectors.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tool cables are configured to drive a plurality of pulleys in a working end.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the control portion further comprises a central shaft surrounded by the plurality of tubular shaft portions.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of each of the control rods comprises a hook.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein a proximal portion of each of the plurality of the tool rods comprises a hook.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the plurality of control rods extend through each of the plurality of shaft portions.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the tool portion further comprises a locking assembly for securing the plurality of the control rods with the plurality of tool rods.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the locking assembly comprises a frame member and a release ring surrounding the frame member, the release ring having at least one cam surface that secures at least one of the plurality of control rods to at least one of the plurality of tool rods.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the control portion further comprises an adapter configured to engage a robotic arm.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the adapter further comprises a plurality of control cables, each of the plurality of control cables secured to one of the plurality of control rods.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of control connectors, wherein each of the plurality of control cables is secured to one of the plurality of control rods by one of the control connectors.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a support structure surrounding the plurality of shaft portions to maintain alignment of the plurality of shaft portions.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein two control rods extend through one of the plurality of shaft portions.

15. A method of using a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of control incisions on a patient, each of the control incisions having a length of less than or equal to about 2.5 mm;

inserting a control portion through the plurality of control incisions, the control portion comprising a plurality of tubular shaft portions and a plurality of control rods, the plurality of tubular shaft portions having a diameter of less than or equal to about 2.5 mm, each control rod extending through one of the plurality of shaft portions;

forming a tool incision on the patient; and

extending a distal portion of the control portion through the tool incision and out of the patient;

securing the control portion to a tool portion, the tool portion comprising a plurality of tool rods and a plurality of tool cables, the plurality of tool rods being positioned circumferentially from each other around a central axis of the tool portion, each of the plurality of tool cables connected to one of the plurality of control rods, each of the tool rods being removably connected to one of the plurality of control rods; and

retracting the distal portion of the control portion and the tool portion through the tool incision and into the patient.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising securing an adapter of the control portion to a robotic arm.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising locking a locking assembly having a frame member and a release ring surrounding the frame member, the release ring having at least one cam surface.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein locking the locking assembly comprises rotating the release ring such that the at least one cam surface secures at least one of the plurality of control rods to at least one of the plurality of tool rods.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein two control rods extend through one of the plurality of shaft portions.

20. A method of assembling a surgical tool, the method comprising:

securing a control portion and a tool portion, the control portion comprising a plurality of tubular shaft portions having a diameter of less than or equal to about 2.5 mm, each control rod extending through one of the plurality of shaft portions, the tool portion comprising a plurality of tool rods and a plurality of tool cables, each of the plurality of tool cables connected to one of the plurality of control rods, each of the tool rods being removably connected to one of the plurality of control rods, the tool portion further comprising a locking assembly having a frame member and a release ring surrounding the frame member, the release ring having at least one cam surface; and

rotating the release ring so that the at least one cam surface secures at least one of the plurality of control rods to at least one of the plurality of tool rods.

21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising securing an adapter of the control portion to a robotic arm.

22. The method of claim 20 , wherein two control rods extend through one of the plurality of shaft portions.