Method for accessing an operative space

• US 20050159730A1
• Filed: 01/20/2004
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kathrani, Biten K., Udwadia, Tehemton E., Patankar, Mangesh
• Granted Patent: US 7,297,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/541
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0281 Abdominal wall lifters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3474 Insufflating needles, e.g. Veress needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3492 against the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0279 for introducing medical instruments into the body, e.g. endoscope, surgical tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053

Abstract

The invention provides, in one embodiment, a method for accessing an operative space within a patient. The method can employ a multifunctional, multi-piece medical device, such as for use with a vacuum lift shell. The method provides flow communication between the external environment and operative field inside the patient'"'"'s body during medical procedures, including diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures. The invention allows entry and exit of air or gas to help create and maintain the operative field. The invention can be used to provide an open and unobstructed working path, and allows the operative space to be maintained at ambient conditions of pressure and temperature.

Claims

1. A method of performing a medical procedure comprising the steps of:

separating one portion of a patient'"'"'s body from another portion of the patient'"'"'s body to provide an operative space within the patient'"'"'s body; and

accessing the operative space through a multicomponent passageway.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of separating comprises lifting one portion of the patient'"'"'s body relative to another portion.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of separating comprises employing vacuum.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of separating comprises associating a vacuum shell with a portion of the patient'"'"'s body.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of accessing the operative space comprises providing positive air pressure to the operative space through the multicomponent passageway.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of accessing the operative space comprises providing ambiant air to the operative space through the multicomponent passageway.

7. The method of claim 1 comprising disposing a first member of the multicomponent passageway in an opening in the patient'"'"'s body.

8. The method of claim 1 comprising disposing a first member of the multicomponent passageway in an opening in the patient'"'"'s body, and releasably attaching a second member of the multicomponent passageway to the first member.

9. The method of claim 1 comprising disposing a first member of the multicomponent passageway in an opening in the patient'"'"'s body, positioning a vacuum device with the respect to the patient'"'"'s body;

and disposing a second member of the multicomponent passageway such that the second member of the multicomponent passageway extends through the vacuum device.

10. The method of claim 1 comprising disposing a first member of the multicomponent passageway such that a distal portion of the first member is disposed within the patient'"'"'s body and a proximal portion of the first member is disposed outside the patient'"'"'s body;

and disposing a second member of the multicomponent passageway such that the entire length of the second member is disposed outside the patient'"'"'s body.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein a member of the multicomponent passageway has a pointed tip selected from the group consisting of bifurcated and non-bifurcated tips.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein a member of the multicomponent passageway comprises a relatively rigid body portion and a relatively flexible distal end portion.

13. A method of performing a medical procedure comprising the steps of:

forming an incision in a patient;

inserting a cannula in the incision such that a proximal portion of the cannula is positioned outside the patient and a distal portion of the cannula is positioned inside the patient;

positioning a vacuum shell over the incision and the cannula;

providing a cannula extension extending through the vacuum shell and communicating with the cannula.

14. The method of claim 13 comprising the step of releasably attaching the cannula extension to the cannula.

15. The method of claim 13 comprising the step of providing air from outside the patient to an internal operative space inside the patient through the cannula.