Tissue suspension device

• US 20060258899A1
• Filed: 04/05/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Voegele, James W., Hess, Christopher J., Weisenburgh, William B. II, Gill, Robert P., Geis, William P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,837,612 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/32 Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0281 Abdominal wall lifters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1227 Spring clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• 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 17/3423 Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands access sites for liquids A61M39/0247
• 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 17/3476 Powered trocars, e.g. electrosurgical cutting, lasers, powered knives
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/4241 Instruments for manoeuvring or retracting the uterus, e.g. during laparoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00265 Hand assisted surgery, i.e. minimally invasive surgery with at least part of an assisting hand inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00287 Bags for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00362 Packages or dispensers for MIS instruments A61B2017/0479 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 : pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0419 : H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0461 : with features cooperating with special features on the suture, e.g. protrusions on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0462 : One way system, i.e. also tensioning the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 : for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 : having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2825 : Inserts of different material in jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2829 : with a removable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 : holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3405 : using mechanical guide means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3437 : with means for removing or absorbing fluid, e.g. wicks or absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 : used as instrument channel for multiple instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3447 : Linked multiple cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3449 : whereby the instrument channels merge into one single channel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3466 : for simultaneous sealing of multiple instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 : Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 : ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 : Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3954 : magnetic, e.g. NMR or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3987 : Applicators for implanting markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 : Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 : Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 : Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0072 : Delivery tools therefor

Abstract

A tissue suspension device has an elongated spanning element with a first and a second end. A suspending element is attachable to the spanning element. A first supporting element is attached to the first end of the spanning element, and a second supporting element is attached to the second end of the spanning element. The tissue suspension device substantially spans the transverse width of the body cavity and suspends tissue within the body cavity. The first and second supporting elements are attachable to the body wall, which supports the weight of the suspended tissue.

Claims

1. A tissue suspension device comprising:

an elongated spanning element having a first and a second end;

at least one suspending element that is attachable to the spanning element; and

a first supporting element attached to the first end of the spanning element, and a second supporting element attached to the second end of the spanning element;

wherein the tissue suspension device substantially spans the transverse width of the body cavity and suspends tissue within the body cavity, and wherein the first and second supporting elements are removably attachable to the body wall, which supports the weight of the suspended tissue.

2. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the spanning element includes a plurality of spaced-apart holes arranged for the attachment of the suspending elements.

3. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of the spanning element include an offset, such that when the tissue suspension device is attached to the body wall of the patient, there is a vertical clearance between the top of the body cavity and the spanning element.

4. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the spanning element includes a bar.

5. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ends includes a threaded portion that is removably attachable to a supporting element.

6. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ends includes a threaded portion that is removably attachable to a cap having a filament attached thereto.

7. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the suspending element is formed from a metallic wire.

8. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the suspending element is covered with a hydrophilic material, a foam rubber, or a cotton material.

9. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the spanning element is coated with an anti-bacterial material.

10. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the spanning element is coated with a lubricious material.

11. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the supporting element comprises a flexible cord removably attachable to the body wall so that the vertical height of the spanning element within the body cavity is adjustable.

12. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the suspending element includes a tray for supporting and suspending tissue.

13. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the spanning element is formed from a rigid tube.

14. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the spanning element is curved.

15. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the supporting element is a medical adhesive tape, whereby first and second ends of the spanning element are secured to the skin of the patient with the tape.

16. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the spanning element are articulatable about a pivot.

17. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the spanning element is flexible.

18. The tissue suspension device of claim 17, wherein the supporting element adjustably tensions the spanning element.

19. The tissue suspension device of claim 1, wherein the spanning element is malleable.

20. A method for suspending tissue during a surgical procedure comprising:

providing a tissue suspension device comprising;

an elongated spanning element having a first and a second end;

at least one suspending element that is attachable to the spanning element; and

a first supporting element attached to the first end of the spanning element, and a second supporting element attached to the second end of the spanning element, first and second supporting elements being attachable to the body wall of the patient;

wherein the tissue suspension device substantially spans the transverse width of the body cavity and lifts tissue within the body cavity, and wherein the first and second supporting elements are attachable to the body wall, which supports the weight of the tissue;

introducing the spanning element into the body cavity;

attaching the first and second ends of the spanning element to the body wall at opposing sides of the patient;

attaching the suspending element to the spanning element; and

suspending tissue from the suspending element.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the spanning element is formed from a rigid tube, and wherein the method further includes positioning a guide wire through the body wall and across the body cavity, and passing the spanning element over the guide wire.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the tissue suspension device includes a threaded portion that is attachable to a cap having a filament, and wherein the method further includes attaching the cap to one of the first and second ends, and pulling the filament to help position the tissue suspension device in the body wall of the patient.