Laparoscopic stretching instrument and associated method

• US 5,511,564 A
• Filed: 02/01/1995
• Issued: 04/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Original Assignee: Valleylab Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wilk, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAWSON, GLENN K
• Application Number:
  US08/382,280
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 128/3, 128/20, 128/898, 606/1, 606/51, 606/52, 606/110, 606/190, 606/191, 606/198, 606/205-211, 600/201, 600/204, 600/207
• US Class Current: 128/898
• 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 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2906 Multiple forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 used as instrument channel for multiple instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/347 Locking means, e.g. for locking instrument in cannula

Abstract

A surgical device includes a frame member having a distal end and a proximal end and a pair of tissue holding mechanisms movably mounted to the frame member at the distal end thereof for securing holds on spaced organic tissues of a patient. Actuators mounted to the frame member at the proximal end thereof are operatively connected to the holding mechanisms for controlling the operation thereof. Another actuator, also mounted to the frame member, is operatively connected to the holding mechanisms for moving the holding mechanisms relative to one another, thereby stretching organic tissues between the held tissues and facilitating access to the stretched tissues. The instrument assembly is particularly useful during laparoscopic surgery.

Claims

1. A surgical device comprising:

a frame member having a distal end and a proximal end;

first holding means secured to said frame member and disposed at said distal end thereof for securing a hold on first organic tissues of a patient;

second holding means secured to said frame member and disposed at said distal end thereof for securing a hold on second organic tissues of the patient spaced from the first organic tissues, at least one of said first holding means and said second holding means being movable relative to the other;

first actuator means, mounted to said frame member at said proximal end thereof and operatively connected to said first holding means, for controlling operation of said first holding means;

second actuator means, mounted to said frame member at said proximal end thereof and operatively connected to said second holding means, for controlling operation of said second holding means; and

additional actuator means, operatively independent of said first actuator means and said second actuator means and mounted to said frame member and operatively connected to said first holding means and said second holding means, for moving at least one of said first holding means and said second holding means relative to the other, thereby enabling a stretching of third organic tissues between said first organic tissues and said second organic tissues and facilitating access to said third organic tissues.

2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said frame member is elongate and sufficiently thin to fit down a laparoscopic trocar sleeve.

3. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said first holding means and said second holding means are secured to said frame means via respective flexible shafts, said additional actuator means including an articulated linkage pivotably connected to said shafts, said third actuator means further including means for alternately shifting said linkage in a distal direction and a proximal direction.

4. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said additional actuator means includes an articulated linkage.

5. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said additional actuator means includes a screw mechanism.

6. A surgical method comprising the steps of:

providing a surgical instrument with an elongate shaft having first holding means and second holding means at a distal end for independently securing holds on respective organic tissues and actuator means at a proximal end for operating said first holding means and said second holding means;

inserting a distal end portion of said instrument through a laparoscopic trocar sleeve into a patient;

upon insertion of said distal end portion of said instrument through said trocar sleeve, securing holds on selected first organic tissues and selected second organic tissues about an operative site with said first holding means and said second holding means, respectively;

upon securing holds on said selected first organic tissues and said selected second organic tissues with said first holding means and said second holding means, operating said actuator means to move one of said first holding means and said second holding means relative to the other of said first holding means and said second holding means to stretch third organic tissues between said first organic tissues and said second organic tissues; and

upon stretching of said third organic tissues, performing an operation at said surgical site.

7. The method defined in claim 6 wherein said step of holding includes the step of clamping said selected organic tissues with said first means and said second means.