SUCTION RETRACTOR

• US 20130109924A1
• Filed: 05/13/2011
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Livac Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Livac Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Gan, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 8,814,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• 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 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/308 with suction cups

Abstract

The subject invention provides a suction retractor comprising a flexible continuous dam which forms a closed loop of any shape and which defines one or more inlet opening into an interior of the closed loop, so that suction can be applied into an interior of the continuous dam. The suction retractor may further comprise a suction tube defining a suction channel, the suction tube attached to or attachable to the continuous dam and when attached the suction channel continuous with the one or more inlet. The one or more inlet may open to a continuous channel extending throughout an interior of the closed loop. Preferably, the continuous dam is planar or substantially planar and comprises a first compacted configuration for insertion and a second open configuration for retraction. The suction retractor of the invention finds application in single incision and convention laparoscopic surgery.

Claims

1. A suction retractor comprising:

a flexible continuous dam which forms a closed loop of any shape and which defines one or more inlet, the one or more inlet opening into an interior of the closed loop and comprising an opening or orifice into an interior area surrounded and defined by the closed loop, so that suction can be applied through the one or more inlet and into the interior of the continuous dam.

2. The suction retractor of claim 1 further comprising a suction tube defining a suction channel, the suction tube attached to or attachable to the continuous dam and when attached the suction channel continuous with the one or more inlet.

3. The suction retractor of claim 1 wherein the one or more inlet opens to a continuous channel extending throughout an interior of the closed loop.

4. The suction retractor of claim 1 wherein the continuous channel comprises an open channel.

5. The suction retractor of claim 1 wherein the continuous channel comprises a plurality of fenestrations.

7. The suction retractor of claim 1 wherein the continuous dam is planar or substantially planar.

8. The suction retractor of claim 1 wherein the flexible continuous dam comprises a first compacted configuration for insertion and a second open configuration for retraction.

12. A method of retracting one or more body part, tissue, organ or part thereof using the suction retractor of claim 1.

6. (canceled)

9-11. -11. (canceled)

13. A method of retracting one or more body part, tissue, organ or part thereof including:

applying suction through a retractor, the retractor comprising one or more inlet defined in a flexible continuous dam, the continuous dam forming a closed loop of any shape and the one or more inlet opening into an interior of the closed loop and comprising an opening or orifice into an interior area surrounded and defined by the closed loop, to thereby form a seal to the one or more body part, tissue, organ or part thereof and retract the one or more body part, tissue, organ or part thereof.

14. The method of claim 13 further including the step of applying suction through a suction tube attached to the continuous dam wherein the suction tube defines a suction channel continuous with the one or more inlet.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the one or more inlet opens to a continuous channel extending throughout an interior of the closed loop.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the continuous channel comprises an open channel.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the continuous channel comprises a plurality of fenestrations.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein when the suction tube is attached to the continuous dam, the suction tube is disposed laterally on the continuous dam.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the continuous dam is planar or substantially planar.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein the flexible continuous dam comprises a first compacted configuration for insertion and a second open configuration for retraction.

21. A method of manufacturing a suction retractor including:

forming a flexible continuous dam which forms a closed loop of any shape and which defines one or more inlet opening into an interior of the closed loop and comprising an opening or orifice into an interior area surrounded and defined by the closed loop to thereby manufacture the suction retractor.

22. The method of claim 21 further including forming or attaching a suction tube defining a suction channel so that the suction channel and one or more inlet are continuous.

23-28. -28. (canceled)

29. A system for retracting a body part, tissue, organ and/or part thereof comprising:

a flexible continuous dam forming a closed loop of any shape and defining one or more inlet through which suction can be applied, the one or more inlet opening into an interior of the closed loop and comprising an opening or orifice into an interior area surrounded and defined by the closed loop; and

a suction tube defining a suction channel, the suction tube attached to or attachable to the continuous dam wherein when attached the suction channel is continuous with the one or more inlet.

30. The system of claim 29 further comprising an apparatus for applying suction through the suction tube and the one or more inlet.

31-32. -32. (canceled)