METHODS OF USING LIGHT TO REPAIR HERNIA DEFECTS

• US 20130296657A1
• Filed: 04/11/2013
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Viola, Frank J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,186,053 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0625 for multiple fixed illumination angles
• 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 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3945 Active visible markers, e.g. light emitting diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/13 guided by light, e.g. laser pointers
• 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 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• 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 hernia repair method includes the step of identifying a hernia defect in a patient, the hernia defect having a size, a location, and a shape. The method involves positioning a dispensing instrument laparoscopically into the patient adjacent the hernia defect. According to one step, the method includes dispensing one or more light pipes from the dispensing instrument at predetermined locations. The method also involves advancing the one or more light pipes through the patient'"'"'s skin. Another step includes coupling a light source to the one or more light pipes. The method also involves generating a pattern of light that indicates one or more of the size, the location, and the shape of the hernia defect. One step includes positioning a surgical patch adjacent the hernia defect in accordance with the pattern of light.

Claims

1. A hernia repair method, comprising the steps of:

identifying a hernia defect in a patient, the hernia defect having a size, a location, and a shape;

positioning a dispensing instrument laparoscopically into the patient adjacent the hernia defect;

dispensing at least one light pipe from the dispensing instrument at predetermined location;

advancing the at least one light pipe through the patient'"'"'s skin;

coupling a light source to the at least one light pipe;

generating a pattern of light that indicates at least one of the size, the location, and the shape of the hernia defect; and

positioning a surgical patch adjacent the hernia defect in accordance with the pattern of light.

2. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising the step of positioning the dispensing instrument adjacent a corner or an extreme of the hernia defect prior to dispensing the at least one light pipe.

3. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising the step of advancing the at least one light pipe to a position immediately adjacent the hernia defect after advancing the at least one light pipe through the patient'"'"'s skin.

4. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising the step of dispensing a plurality of light pipes from the dispensing instrument at predetermined locations.

5. The hernia repair method of claim 4, further comprising the step of bundling the plurality of light pipes.

6. The hernia repair method of claim 4, further comprising the step of forming an outline of the hernia defect, in vivo, with the pattern of light being formed from the positioning of the plurality of light pipes at the predetermined locations.

7. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating a pattern of light that can be visualized, ex vivo, through the surgical patch when the surgical patch is positioned over the hernia defect in vivo.

8. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising the step of dispensing at least one a fiber optic light pipe from the dispensing instrument.

9. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising the step of removing the at least one light pipe from the patient after positioning the surgical patch adjacent the hernia defect.

10. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising the step of piercing the patient'"'"'s skin with the at least one light pipe.