SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR IN VIVO ASSEMBLY

• US 20100249700A1
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Spivey, James T.
• Application Number:
  US12/413,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20100249700A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/96.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, 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 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• 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 2017/00278 Transorgan operations, e.g. transgastric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00283 with a device releasably connected to an inner wall of the abdomen during surgery, e.g. an illumination source
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00362 Packages or dispensers for MIS instruments A61B2017/0479 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• 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 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2941 Toggle linkages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00553 Sphincter

Abstract

A method of assembling a surgical instrument inside a patient and a device likewise configured to be assembled in vivo through a body wall of the patient is provided. In at least one embodiment, the method includes delivering an end effector to a body cavity of the patient, inserting a shaft into the body cavity, and connecting the shaft to the end effector inside the body cavity. In such embodiments, the end effector can be operably engaged with a flexible member, wherein pulling the flexible member can cause the end effector to move toward the shaft such that the end effector connects to the shaft.

Claims

1. A surgical kit, comprising:

an end effector configured to be delivered into a body cavity of a patient;

a flexible member extending from said end effector; and

a cannula comprising;

a first end configured to be inserted into the body cavity, said first end comprising a connector portion configured to be releasably attached to said end effector;

a second end; and

an aperture, wherein said aperture is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said flexible member.

2. The surgical kit of claim 1, further comprising an actuation shaft comprising an attachment portion, wherein said attachment portion is configured to be releasably attached to said end effector such that operation of said actuation shaft can operate said end effector.

3. The surgical kit of claim 2, wherein said actuation shaft is configured to be inserted into said aperture of said cannula, wherein said actuation shaft further comprises a second aperture, and wherein said second aperture is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said flexible member.

4. The surgical kit of claim 2, wherein said end effector further comprises a tissue contacting portion, and wherein said actuation shaft is configured to move said tissue contacting portion.

5. The surgical kit of claim 1, wherein said end effector comprises an expandable bolster.

6. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector configured to be delivered into a body cavity of a patient through a natural opening in the patient;

an elongate flexible member connected to said end effector;

a cannula comprising;

a first end configured to be inserted into the body cavity through a second opening in the patient, said first end comprising a connector portion configured to be releasably attached to said end effector;

a second end; and

an aperture, wherein said aperture is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said flexible member; and

an actuation shaft comprising an attachment portion, wherein said attachment portion is configured to be releasably attached to said end effector such that operation of said actuation shaft can operate said end effector.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein said actuation shaft is configured to be inserted into said aperture of said cannula, wherein said actuation shaft further comprises a second aperture, and wherein said second aperture is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said flexible member.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein said end effector further comprises a tissue contacting portion, and wherein said actuation shaft is configured to move said tissue contacting portion.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein said end effector comprises an expandable bolster.

10. A method of assembling a surgical instrument inside a patient, said method comprising the steps of:

delivering an end effector to a body cavity of the patient, wherein said end effector is operably engaged with a flexible member;

inserting a shaft into the body cavity;

pulling said flexible member relative to said shaft such said end effector moves relative to said shaft; and

connecting said shaft to said end effector inside the body cavity.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said delivering step comprises delivering said end effector to the body cavity through a natural opening in the patient, and wherein said inserting step comprises inserting said shaft into the body cavity through a second opening in the patient.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of translating said shaft along said flexible member.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said shaft comprises a cannula, and wherein the method further comprises the step of passing said flexible member through said cannula after said inserting step and before said pulling step.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of inserting said flexible member through an actuation shaft and translating said actuation shaft along said flexible member, through said cannula, and into said end effector.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of coupling said actuation shaft to an actuator of said end effector.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of attaching said actuation shaft and said cannula to a handle.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of moving said actuation shaft relative to said cannula with said handle.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said pulling step comprises passing at least a portion of said flexible member through a body wall of the patient and further pulling said flexible member such that said end effector moves toward said body wall.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein said end effector comprises an expandable bolster.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of expanding said expandable bolster inside the body cavity to form an expanded bolster, and pulling said expanded bolster against a body wall of the patient to retract the body wall.