GENERAL SURGICAL INNOVATIONS INC
SC 13G, 1997-01-31
SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                                                              


                              INITIAL SCHEDULE 13G




                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                               


                       General Surgical Innovations, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)
                                  Common Stock
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)
                                    371013103
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)



Check here if a fee is being paid with this statement:  . (A fee is not required
only if the  filing  person:  (1) has a  previous  statement  on file  reporting
beneficial  ownership  of more than  five  percent  of the  class of  securities
described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent thereto reporting
beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.) (See Rule 13d-7).

*The  remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting  person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any  subsequent  amendment  containing  information  which  would  alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise  subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but  shall be  subject  to all other  provisions  of the Act  (however,  see the
Notes).









                                PAGE 1 OF 9 PAGES


<PAGE>

- ---------------------                                      ---------------------
CUSIP No.   371013103                   13G                Page  2  of  9  Pages
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
          S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

          John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company
          I.R.S. No. 04-1414660
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*             (a)  |_|
                                                                        (b)  |_|
          N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

          Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      5     SOLE VOTING POWER
    Number of
     Shares                 -0-

                   -------------------------------------------------------------
  Beneficially        6     SHARED VOTING POWER
    Owned by
      Each                  -0-

                   -------------------------------------------------------------
    Reporting         7     SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
     Person
      With                  -0-

                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                      8     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                            -0-

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   9      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

          None except  through its indirect,  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Hancock
          Venture Partners, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

          N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

          See line 9, above.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

          IC, BD, IA, HC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
                                PAGE 2 OF 9 PAGES


<PAGE>

- ---------------------                                      ---------------------
CUSIP No.   371013103                   13G                Page  3  of  9  Pages
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
          S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

          John Hancock Subsidiaries, Inc.
          I.R.S. No. 04-2687223
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*             (a)  |_|
                                                                        (b)  |_|
          N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

          Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      5     SOLE VOTING POWER
    Number of
     Shares                 -0-

                   -------------------------------------------------------------
  Beneficially        6     SHARED VOTING POWER
    Owned by
      Each                  -0-

                   -------------------------------------------------------------
    Reporting         7     SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
     Person
      With                  -0-

                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                      8     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                            -0-

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   9      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

          796,327 through its direct,  wholly-owned subsidiary,  Hancock Venture
          Partners, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

          N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

          6.0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

          HC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
                                PAGE 3 OF 9 PAGES


<PAGE>

- ---------------------                                      ---------------------
CUSIP No.   113809107                   13G                Page  4  of  9  Pages
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1      NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
          S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

          Hancock Venture Partners, Inc.
          I.R.S. No.   04-2765223
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*             (a)  |_|
                                                                        (b)  |_|
          N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   3      SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

          Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      5     SOLE VOTING POWER
    Number of
     Shares                 796,327

                   -------------------------------------------------------------
  Beneficially        6     SHARED VOTING POWER
    Owned by
      Each                  -0-

                   -------------------------------------------------------------
    Reporting         7     SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
     Person
      With                  796,327

                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                      8     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                            -0-

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   9      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

          796,327
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

          N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

          6.0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

          IA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
                                PAGE 4 OF 9 PAGES
<PAGE>

     The original  statement  shall be signed by each person on whose behalf the
statement is filed or his authorized representative.  If the statement is signed
on behalf of a person by his authorized  representative  other than an executive
officer  or   general   partner  of  the   filing   person,   evidence   of  the
representative's  authority to sign on behalf of such person shall be filed with
the  statement,  provided,  however,  that a power of attorney  for this purpose
which is already on file with the Commission may be  incorporated  by reference.
The name and any title of each person who signs the statement  shall be typed or
printed beneath his signature.

Note: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed with
the Commission.

     Attention:  Intentional  misstatements  or  omissions  of  fact  constitute
Federal criminal violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001)


     Item 1(a)      Name of Issuer:
                    General Surgical Innovations, Inc.

     Item 1(b)      Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
                    3172 A Porter Drive
                    Palo Alto, CA 94304

     Item 2(a)      Name of Person Filing:
                    This  filing is made on behalf of John  Hancock  Mutual Life
                    Insurance    Company    ("JHMLICO"),    JHMLICO's    direct,
                    wholly-owned  subsidiary,  John Hancock  Subsidiaries,  Inc.
                    ("JHSI"),  and  JHSI's  wholly-owned   subsidiary,   Hancock
                    Venture Partners, Inc. ("Venture").

     Item 2(b)      Address of the Principal Offices:
                    The  principal  business  offices  of  JHMLICO  and JHSI are
                    located at John  Hancock  Place,  P.O. Box 111,  Boston,  MA
                    02117.  The  principal  business  office of  Venture  is One
                    Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.

     Item 2(c)      Citizenship:
                    JHMLICO  was  organized  and  exists  under  the laws of the
                    Commonwealth  of   Massachusetts.   JHSI  and  Venture  were
                    organized and exist under the laws of the State of Delaware.

     Item 2(d)      Title of Class of Securities:
                    Common Stock

     Item 2(e)      CUSIP Number:
                    371013103

     Item 3         If the Statement is being filed  pursuant to Rule  13d-1(b),
                    or 13d-2(b), check whether the person filing is a:

                    JHMLICO:  (a) (X)   Broker or Dealer registered under ss.15 
                                        of the Act.

                              (c) (X)   Insurance Company as defined in 
                                        ss.3(a)(19) of the Act.

                              (e) (X)   Investment Adviser registered under
                                        ss.203 of the Investment Advisers Act of
                                        1940.

                    JHSI:     (g) (X)   Parent Holding Company, in accordance
                                        with ss.240.13d-1(b)(ii)(G).

                    Venture:  (e) (X)   Investment Adviser registered under 
                                        ss.203 of the Investment Advisers Act of
                                        1940.

                               PAGE 5 OF 9 PAGES

<PAGE>

     Item 4         Ownership:

                    (a)    Amount Beneficially Owned:  Venture has beneficial 
                           ownership of 796,327 shares of Common Stock.  Venture
                           is a managing  general partner of the general partner
                           of  Hancock  Venture  Partners  IV-Direct  Fund  L.P.
                           ("Fund IV") which holds shares of the Issuer. Venture
                           has sole  beneficial  ownership of the shares held in
                           this  partnership.  Through  their  parent-subsidiary
                           relationship  to  Venture,   JHMLICO  and  JHSI  have
                           indirect beneficial ownership of the Venture shares.

                    (b)    Percent of Class:   6.0%

                    (c)    (i)     sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 
                                   Venture has sole power to vote or direct the
                                   vote of 796,327 shares of Common Stock.

                           (ii)    shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 
                                   -0-

                           (iii)   sole power to dispose or to direct the
                                   disposition of:  
                                   Venture has sole power to dispose or to 
                                   direct the disposition of 796,327 shares of 
                                   Common Stock.

                           (iv)    shared power to dispose or to direct the 
                                   disposition of:  -0-

     Item 5         Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class:
                    Not applicable.

     Item 6         Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another 
                    Person:
                    See Item 4.


                               PAGE 6 OF 9 PAGES

<PAGE>

     Item 7         Identification  and  Classification  of the Subsidiary which
                    Acquired  the  Security  Being  Reported  on by  the  Parent
                    Holding Company:
                    See Items 3 and 4 above.

     Item 8         Identification and Classification of Members of the Group:
                    Not applicable.

     Item 9         Notice of Dissolution of a Group:
                    Not applicable.

     Item 10        Certification:
                    By signing below the undersigned certifies that, to the best
                    of its  knowledge  and belief,  the  securities  referred to
                    above were  acquired in the ordinary  course of business and
                    were not  acquired  for the  purpose  of and do not have the
                    effect of changing or influencing  the control of the issuer
                    of such  securities and were not acquired in connection with
                    or as a participant in any  transaction  having such purpose
                    or effect. 



























                                PAGE 7 OF 9 PAGES
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURE

     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief,  each
of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is
true, complete and correct.


                                      John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company
                                      By:      /s/ Marion L. Nierintz
                                      Name:    Marion L. Nierintz
Dated: January 27, 1997               Title:   Second Vice President


                                      John Hancock Subsidiaries, Inc.
                                      By:      /s/ Marion L. Nierintz
                                      Name:    Marion L. Nierintz
Dated: January 27, 1997               Title:   Secretary


                                      John Hancock Venture Partners, Inc.
                                      By:      /s/ Martha D. Vorlicek
                                      Name:    Martha D. Vorlicek
Dated: January 27, 1997               Title:   Vice President & Treasurer



















                                PAGE 8 OF 9 PAGES


<PAGE>


EXHIBIT A
                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

     John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, John Hancock Subsidiaries, Inc.
and Hancock Venture Partners, Inc. agree that the Initial Schedule 13G, to which
this Agreement is attached, relating to the Common Stock of General Surgical
Innovations, Inc. is filed on behalf of each of them.


                                      John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company
                                      By:      /s/ Marion L. Nierintz
                                      Name:    Marion L. Nierintz
Dated: January 27, 1997               Title:   Second Vice President


                                      John Hancock Subsidiaries, Inc.
                                      By:      /s/ Marion L. Nierintz
                                      Name:    Marion L. Nierintz
Dated: January 27, 1997               Title:   Secretary


                                      John Hancock Venture Partners, Inc.
                                      By:      /s/ Martha D. Vorlicek
                                      Name:    Martha D. Vorlicek
Dated: January 27, 1997               Title:   Vice President & Treasurer
















                                PAGE 9 OF 9 PAGES




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