ENDOLUMINAL INSTRUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

• US 20090023985A1
• Filed: 06/12/2008
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Ewers, Richard C.
• Application Number:
  US12/138,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20090023985A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00149 using articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 used as instrument channel for multiple instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3449 whereby the instrument channels merge into one single channel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/53 connected to the surgeon's body, e.g. by a belt

Abstract

Endoluminal instrument management systems are described herein which allow one or more operators to manage multiple different instruments utilized in endoluminal procedures. Responsibility for instrumentation management between one or more operators may be configured such that a first set of instruments is controlled by a primary operator and a second set of instruments is controlled by a secondary operator. The division of instrumentation may be facilitated by the use of separated instrumentation platforms or a single platform which separates each instrument for use by the primary operator. Such platforms may be configured as trays, instrument support arms, multi-instrument channels, as well as rigidized portions of instruments to facilitate its handling, among others.

Claims

1. An endoluminal instrument management system, comprising:

an elongate body adapted to transition between a flexible state and a rigid state along its length, the elongate body having multiple lumens therethrough and a handle assembly connected to a proximal end of the elongate body, wherein the elongate body further comprises a port in communication with a lumen through the elongate body, the port being defined along the length of the elongate body distal to the handle assembly; and

a tissue manipulation assembly having a flexible shaft adapted to be advanced through the elongate body, wherein the flexible shaft of the tissue manipulation assembly comprises a rigid section near or at a proximal end of the flexible shaft, the rigid section providing structural support to a handle of the tissue manipulation assembly when positioned within the handle assembly.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the elongate body comprises a steerable distal portion.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the rigid section of the tissue manipulation assembly is comprised of a rigid sleeve.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the rigid section is positioned between lengths of flexible shaft.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more visual markings positioned along the rigid section, the one or more visual markings corresponding to a depth of insertion of the tissue manipulation assembly with respect to the elongate body.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising an imaging system having an elongate flexible shaft sized to be positioned within at least a portion of the elongate body, the imaging system having an imager disposed at its distal end.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the imaging system comprises an endoscope.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the imaging system is positioned through the port defined along the length of the elongate body.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the port comprises a Y-Port.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a helical tissue engager having a flexible shaft which is positionable through at least one of the multiple lumens.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising an endoscopic scissor having a flexible shaft which is positionable through at least one of the multiple lumens.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the elongate body comprises a plurality of nested links which are adapted to compress against one another when transitioned into the rigid state.

13. An endoluminal instrument management system, comprising:

an elongate body adapted to transition between a flexible state and a rigid state along its length, the elongate body having multiple lumens therethrough and a handle assembly connected to a proximal end of the elongate body; and

a rigid channel adapted to be attached to a proximal end of the handle assembly, wherein the rigid channel defines multiple access lumens therethrough, each access lumen being in communication with a corresponding lumen through the elongate body.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the rigid channel defines at least one straight access lumen and at least one access lumen angled or curved relative to the straight access lumen.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the rigid channel further defines an enclosure opening within which the access lumens are positioned.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the access lumens are pivotable within the enclosure opening relative to one another.

17. An endoluminal instrument management system, comprising:

an articulatable support arm configured to retain an elongate body which is adapted to transition between a flexible state and a rigid state along its length, the elongate body having multiple lumens therethrough and a handle assembly connected to a proximal end of the elongate body; and

at least one instrument support member configured to be articulated so as to support a corresponding instrument projecting from the handle assembly.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the articulatable support arm is attached to a table.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the articulatable support arm is pivotable to allow for multiple degrees-of-freedom.

20. The system of claim 17 further comprising a locking mechanism which is adapted to lock a position of the elongate body relative to the articulatable support arm.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein the at least one instrument support member is attached to the articulatable support arm.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein the at least one instrument support member is pivotable.

23. The system of claim 17 wherein the at least one instrument support member is connected to the corresponding instrument via a biased member.

24. An endoluminal instrument management system, comprising:

a curved platform having one or more attachments to a table such that the platform is positioned over at least a portion of the table; and

a plurality of instrument retaining attachments positioned over a surface of the platform,

wherein the one or more attachments are pivotable and/or translatable such that the platform is adjustable with respect to the table.