Articulable endoscopic instruments

1. An articulable endoscopic instrument comprising:

an articulable retractor configured to pass through a working channel of an endoscope, the articulable retractor comprising multiple articulable links that are connected together, a proximal end, and a distal end;

an end effector configured to pass through the working channel of the endoscope, the end effector being mounted to the distal end of the articulable retractor;

a tube configured to pass through the working channel of the endoscope, the tube comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the articulable retractor being mounted to the distal end of the tube;

a handle to which the proximal end of the tube is mounted, the handle comprising a housing that contains controls that enable a user of the instrument to both articulate the retractor and actuate the end effector, wherein the retractor can be articulated using the controls to form independent bends lying within one plane, the bends together forming a complex curve; and

first and second retractor control wires that extend from the handle and through the articulable links, wherein linear movement of the retractor control wires causes the retractor to bend,

wherein the first retractor control wire is connected to a distal articulable link of the retractor and the second retractor control wire is connected to a proximal articulable link of the retractor and wherein linear movement of the first retractor control wire causes the retractor to form a distal bend of the complex curve and wherein linear movement of the second retractor control wire causes the retractor to form a proximal bend of the complex curve,

wherein the handle further comprises first and second thumb slides, wherein linear movement of the first thumb slide causes linear movement of the first retractor control wire and wherein linear movement of the second thumb slide causes linear movement of the second retractor control wire,

wherein the handle further comprises first and second inner gear racks to which the first and second thumb slides are respectively connected and first and second gears having teeth that respectively engage teeth of the first and second gear racks, wherein the first and second retractor control wires are respectively connected to the first and second gears such that rotation of the gears causes linear movement of the retractor control wires,

wherein the handle further comprises first and second thumb slide locking elements configured to respectively lock the first and second thumb slides to prevent unintended movement of the first and second retractor control wires, and

wherein the first and second thumb slide locking elements comprise further thumb slides and wherein the handle further comprises spring elements connected to the further thumb slides, wherein respective linear movement of the further thumb slides toward the first and second gears causes the spring elements to engage the gears and prevent their rotation.

2. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the end effector comprises a grasper having jaw elements that can be opened and closed.

3. The instrument of claim 2 , wherein the handle further comprises a finger trigger that can be used to open and close the jaw elements.

4. The instrument of claim 3 , further comprising an end effector control wire and wherein pivoting of the finger trigger causes linear movement of the end effector control wire that causes opening and closing of the jaw elements.

5. The instrument of claim 4 , wherein the end effector further comprises an actuation member connected to the jaw elements to which the end effector control wire is connected, wherein proximal movement of the end effector control wire causes proximal movement of the actuation member, which causes the jaw elements to close.

6. The instrument of claim 4 , wherein the handle further comprises a spring that urges the finger trigger in a direction that opens the jaw elements.

7. The instrument of claim 4 , wherein the handle further comprises a finger trigger locking element configured to lock the orientation of the finger trigger to prevent unintended movement of the end effector control wire.

8. The instrument of claim 7 , wherein the finger trigger locking element comprises a pivotally mounted lever having a tang configured to engage teeth of an extension element that extends from the finger trigger.

9. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising an elongated tube that connects the retractor to the handle, the elongated tube also being configured to pass through the working channel of the endoscope.