SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSUFFLATION AND GAS RECIRCULATION

• US 20090137943A1
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Surgiquest, Inc. (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Surgiquest, Inc. (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nolan, Timothy J., Stearns, Ralph, Azarbarzin, Kurt
• Granted Patent: US 8,961,451 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/26
• 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 17/3498 Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 13/003 Blowing gases other than for carrying powders, e.g. for inflating, dilating or rinsing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 13/006 with gas recirculation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/02 Gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3337 Controlling, regulating pressure or flow by means of a valve by-passing a pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site

Abstract

A system for insufflation and recirculation of insufflation fluid in a surgical procedure. The system includes a control unit having a fluid pump, a supply conduit, a return fluid conduit and a pressure-controlled valve. The fluid pump is adapted and configured to circulate insufflation fluid through the system. The supply conduit is in fluid communication with an output of the fluid pump and configured and adapted for delivering pressurized insufflation fluid to an output port of the control unit. The return conduit is in fluid communication with an input of the fluid pump for delivering insufflation fluid to the fluid pump and is configured and adapted for returning insufflation fluid from an input port of the control unit. The pressure-controlled is in fluid communication with the supply conduit and the return conduit, and is adapted and configured to receive a control signal and respond to the control signal by opening, thereby fluidly connecting the supply conduit and the return conduit with one another.

Claims

1. A system for insufflation and recirculation of insufflation fluid in a surgical procedure, the system comprising:

a control unit having;

a) a fluid pump adapted and configured to circulate insufflation fluid through the system;

b) a supply conduit in fluid communication with an output of the fluid pump and configured and adapted for delivering pressurized insufflation fluid to an output port of the control unit;

c) a return conduit in fluid communication with an input of the fluid pump for delivering insufflation fluid to the fluid pump and configured and adapted for returning insufflation fluid to an input port of the control unit; and

d) a pressure-controlled valve in fluid communication with the supply conduit and the return conduit, the pressure-controlled valve being adapted and configured to receive a control signal and respond to the control signal by opening, thereby fluidly connecting the supply conduit and the return conduit with one another.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein in absence of a control signal, the pressure-controlled valve remains in a closed state.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure-controlled valve is additionally in fluid communication with a pressure sensing conduit, adapted and configured for communicating a pressure value at a distal end thereof to the pressure-controlled valve.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the pressure-controlled valve is a mechanical diaphragm valve, and the pressure sensing conduit is in fluid communication with a pressure sensing chamber of the pressure-controlled valve.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a trocar having;

a) an elongated body defining a lumen therein;

b) a nozzle operatively associated with the body for directing pressurized fluid into the lumen;

c) a fluid return plenum adapted and configured to collect spent insufflation fluid;

d) a nozzle supply port in fluid communication with the nozzle, for delivering a pressurized flow of insufflation fluid to the nozzle, adapted and configured to receive pressurized insufflation fluid from an output port of the control unit; and

e) a fluid return port in fluid communication with the fluid return plenum, adapted and configured for returning insufflation fluid from the trocar to an input port of the control unit.

6. The system of claim 5, the trocar further comprising:

a pressure sensing chamber adapted and configured to be in fluid communication with a patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity and with the pressure-controlled valve of the control unit.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a connection kit having:

a) a plurality of connecting conduits adapted and configured to connect the nozzle supply port of the trocar to the output port of the control unit, to connect the fluid return port of the trocar to the input port of the control unit, and to connect the pressure sensing chamber of the trocar to the pressure-controlled valve of the control unit;

b) a filter element provided in fluid communication with at least one of the connecting conduits; and

c) a connector disposed at each end of the connecting conduits, configured and adapted to mutually engage the connection kit with the trocar at one end, and with the control unit at its opposite end.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a surgical insufflator adapted and configured to receive, through an input port thereof, a supply of insufflation gas from a source, an output port of the insufflator being in fluid communication with a pressure sensor for operating the pressure-controlled valve and with a patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity, the insufflator being adapted and configured to sense pressure within the abdominal cavity and to provide insufflation fluid thereto.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the control unit includes the surgical insufflator incorporated into a single housing.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a) a first trocar having;

i) an elongated body defining a lumen therein;

ii) a nozzle operatively associated with the body for directing pressurized fluid into the lumen to form a fluid seal thereacross;

iii) a fluid return plenum adapted and configured to collect spent insufflation fluid;

iv) a nozzle supply port in fluid communication with the nozzle, for delivering a pressurized flow of insufflation fluid to the nozzle, adapted and configured to receive pressurized insufflation fluid from an output port of the control unit; and

v) a fluid return port in fluid communication with the fluid return plenum, adapted and configured for returning insufflation fluid from the trocar to an input port of the control unit and;

b) a second trocar in fluid communication with a surgical insufflator adapted and configured to receive, through an input port thereof, a supply of insufflation gas from a source, the insufflator being adapted and configured to sense pressure within an abdominal cavity and to deliver pressurized insufflation fluid thereto through the second trocar.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the insufflator and the pressure-controlled valve are each independently in fluid communication with a with a patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity, and each are adapted and configured to sense abdominal pressure therein.

12. A trocar for use in a minimally-invasive surgical procedure, comprising:

a) an elongated body defining a lumen therein, the proximal end portion of the body defining a housing;

b) a fluid supply plenum defined in the housing;

c) a supply port in fluid communication with the fluid supply plenum, adapted and configured to receive pressurized insufflation fluid from a recirculation device and to deliver the pressurized insufflation fluid to the fluid supply plenum; and

d) a nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid supply plenum and the lumen, configured and adapted for directing pressurized fluid into the lumen;

e) a fluid return plenum defined in the housing and arranged distal the fluid supply plenum, the fluid return plenum being adapted and configured to collect spent insufflation fluid; and

f) a fluid return port in fluid communication with the fluid return plenum, adapted and configured for returning insufflation fluid from the trocar to a recirculation device.

13. The trocar of claim 12, further comprising sound attenuation elements arranged in the fluid return plenum.

14. The trocar of claim 13, wherein the sound attenuation elements are selected from the group consisting essentially of baffles and sound-absorbing material.

15. The trocar of claim 12, further comprising sound attenuation elements arranged in a proximal sound attenuation chamber arranged proximal to the fluid supply plenum.

16. The trocar of claim 12, wherein:

the fluid return plenum is defined between a distal end of the housing and a first substantially annular insert placed in the housing; and

the fluid supply plenum is defined between the annular insert and a second substantially annular insert, the second substantially annular insert having a substantially tubular member extending distally therefrom, the nozzle being defined between the substantially tubular member and an central portion of the first substantially annular insert.

17. The trocar of claim 12, further comprising a pressure sensing chamber adapted and configured to be placed in fluid communication with a patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity, the pressure sensing chamber also being in fluid communication with a pressure sensing port defined on the trocar, for connecting to a pressure sensing element.

18. A trocar for use in a minimally-invasive surgical procedure, comprising:

a) an elongated body, the proximal end portion of the body defining a housing;

b) a first insert having a substantially tubular configuration extending through the body and defining a pressure sensing chamber therebetween, the pressure sensing chamber being adapted and configured to be placed in fluid communication with a patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity;

c) a second insert arranged in the housing proximal the first insert, and having a substantially annular configuration and a plurality of apertures defined therein for allowing passage of spent insufflation fluid to pass therethrough;

d) a third insert arranged in the housing proximal the second insert, and having a substantially annular configuration, the housing, first, second and third inserts defining respective walls of a fluid return plenum, the fluid return plenum being adapted and configured to collect spent insufflation fluid; and

e) a fourth insert arranged in the housing proximal the third insert, having a substantially annular configuration and substantially tubular member extending distally therefrom, a nozzle being defined between the substantially tubular member and an central portion of the third insert, the housing and third and fourth inserts defining a fluid supply plenum in fluid communication with the nozzle.

19. The trocar of claim 18, further comprising sound attenuation elements arranged in a proximal sound attenuation chamber arranged proximal to the fluid supply plenum.

20. The trocar of claim 18, wherein the first insert includes at least one aperture defined in the sidewall thereof to attenuate a sound created by airflow through the first insert.

21. A trocar for use in a minimally-invasive surgical procedure, comprising:

a) an elongated body having a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal end portion of the body defining a housing;

b) a fluid return plenum defined in the housing, the fluid return plenum being adapted and configured to collect spent insufflation fluid; and

c) a fluid supply plenum defined in the housing, arranged proximal the fluid return plenum, adapted and configured to deliver pressurized insufflation fluid to a nozzle in fluid communication therewith, the nozzle configured and adapted for directing pressurized fluid into the lumen.

22. The trocar of claim 21, further comprising a pressure sensing chamber defined in a distal end portion of the housing, distal the fluid return plenum, adapted and configured to be placed in fluid communication with a patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity.

23. A trocar for use in a minimally-invasive surgical procedure, comprising:

a) an elongated body having a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal end portion of the body defining a housing;

b) a pressure sensing chamber defined in a distal end portion of the housing, adapted and configured to be placed in fluid communication with a patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity;

c) a safety valve arranged in the housing, in fluid communication with the pressure sensing chamber and configured and adapted to relieve pressure from within a patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity in a case of abdominal pressure exceeding a predetermined limit; and

d) a fluid supply plenum defined in the housing, arranged proximal the fluid return plenum, adapted and configured to deliver pressurized insufflation fluid to a nozzle in fluid communication therewith, the nozzle configured and adapted for directing pressurized fluid into the lumen.

24. A method of sealing a pressurized cavity of a patient for a surgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a trocar for use in a minimally invasive surgical procedure, the trocar including;

i) an elongated body having a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal end portion of the body defining a housing;

ii) a fluid return plenum defined in the housing, the fluid return plenum being adapted and configured to collect spent insufflation fluid; and

iii) a fluid supply plenum defined in the housing, arranged proximal the fluid return plenum, adapted and configured to deliver pressurized insufflation fluid to a nozzle in fluid communication therewith, the nozzle configured and adapted for directing pressurized fluid into the lumen;

c) supplying a flow of pressurized fluid to the fluid supply plenum;

d) recovering a flow of spent insufflation fluid from the fluid return plenum;

e) recycling at least a portion of the spent insufflation fluid received from the return plenum to the fluid supply plenum;

e) inserting a surgical instrument through the lumen of the trocar, whereby the pressurized fluid supplied to the fluid supply plenum forms a seal around the surgical instrument, thereby preventing loss of pressure within the cavity of the patient.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of filtering the insufflation gas during the step of recycling.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:

inserting a second surgical instrument through the lumen of the trocar, whereby the pressurized fluid supplied to the trocar seals around and between the first and second surgical instruments, preventing loss of pressure within the cavity of the patient.