Uterus maneuvering method

• US 5,554,160 A
• Filed: 05/23/1995
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caillouette, James C.
• Original Assignee: Caillouette, James C.
• Inventors: Caillouette, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOO, BENJAMIN K
• Application Number:
  US08/447,347
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 606/119, 606/1, 606/193
• US Class Current: 606/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/4241 Instruments for manoeuvring or retracting the uterus, e.g. during laparoscopic surgery

Abstract

A uterus maneuvering method involving the use of a lengthwise elongated boom, and a strut carried at one end of the boom to be pivoted relative to the boom, the strut and boom adapted to be inserted via the vaginal canal to locate the strut to project in the uterine cavity; actuator structure associated with the boom and strut, manipulable for effecting controlled pivoting of the strut; and control structure manipulable for controlling the actuator structure, and including a servo system having an extra-corporeal manual control structure, for coupling between the manual control structure and actuator structure, the coupling including electrical signal transmission structure.

Claims

1. In a uterus maneuvering method, the steps that include:

a) providing a lengthwise elongated boom, and a strut carried at one end of the boom to be pivoted relative to the boom, and inserting the strut and boom via the vaginal cavity to locate the strut to project in the uterine cavity,

b) providing actuator means associated with the boom and strut for effecting controlled pivoting of the strut, and providing a linkage to extend within the boom and to operatively connect between the actuator means and said strut,

c) providing control means for controlling said actuator means, and including a servo system having an extra-corporeal manual control means, for coupling between said manual control means and actuator means,

d) and operating said servo system to maneuver the uterus,

e) providing support structure for said boom, and orienting the boom in selected position in the birth canal with said strut inserted into the uterus for pivoting therein,

f) and wherein said support structure is provided to carry the boom for pivoting about an axis extending lengthwise at the boom.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said coupling includes a radio signal transmission link, and including transmitting radio signals in response to operation of said servo system.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said coupling includes electrical wiring, and including transmitting electrical signals via said wiring, in response to operation of said servo system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said support structure includes a support housing from which the boom extends, and a support stand for said housing, and including controllably anchoring said support stand to orient the boom in said selected position.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said actuator means is provided to include:

i) a first electrically responsive actuator to affect pivoting of the strut about a first axis, and

ii) a second electrically responsive actuator to effect pivoting of the strut about a second axis.

6. The method of claim 5 including coupling the second actuator to the boom to rotate the boom and strut about said second axis.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said manual control means is provided to include a first manual control movable to effect servo-controlled operation of the first actuator.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said manual control means is provided to include a second manual control movable to effect servo-controlled operation of the second actuator.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said first and second manual controls are provided to include at least one joystick.

10. The method of claim 1 including providing an inflatable balloon carried by said strut to be inflated within the uterus, during maneuvering of the uterus in accordance with movement of the strut.

11. The method of claim 8 including providing a pressurization duct extending along the boom and to said balloon.

12. The method of claim 1 including providing a fluid injection duct extending along the boom and to the strut for injecting fluid into the uterus.

13. In a body tissue maneuvering method, the steps that include:

a) providing a lengthwise elongated boom, and a strut carried at one end of the boom to be pivoted relative to the boom, and inserting the strut and boom in a body canal to extend to said body tissue,

b) providing actuator means associated with the boom and strut for effecting controlled pivoting of the strut, and providing a linkage to extend within the boom and to operatively connect between the actuator means and said strut,

c) providing control means for controlling said actuator means, and including a servo system having an extra-corporeal manual control means, for coupling between said manual control means and actuator means, said coupling including electrical signal transmission means,

d) operating said servo system to maneuver said tissue,

(e) and wherein said support structure is provided to carry the boom for pivoting about an axis extending lengthwise at the boom.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said coupling includes a radio signal transmission link, and including transmitting radio signals in response to operation of said servo system.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said coupling includes electrical wiring, and including transmitting electrical signals via said wiring, in response to operation of said servo system.

16. The method of claim 13 including providing support structure for said boom, orienting the boom in selected position in the birth canal with said strut inserted into the canal for pivoting therein.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said support structure includes a support housing from which the boom extends, and a support stand for said housing, and including controllably anchoring said support stand to orient the boom in said selected position.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein said actuator means is provided to include:

i) a first electrically responsive actuator to affect pivoting of the strut about a first axis, and

ii) a second electrically responsive actuator to effect pivoting of the strut about a second axis.

19. The method of claim 18 including coupling the second actuator to the boom to rotate the boom and strut about said second axis.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said manual control means is provided to include a first manual control movable to effect servo-controlled operation of the first actuator.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said manual control means is provided to include a second manual control movable to effect servo-controlled operation of the second actuator.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said first and second manual controls are provided to include at least one joystick.

23. The method of claim 13 including providing an inflatable balloon carried by said strut to be inflated within the canal, for maneuvering body tissue in accordance with movement of the strut.

24. The method of claim 23 including providing a pressurization duct extending along the boom and to said balloon.

25. The method of claim 13 including providing a fluid injection duct extending along the boom and to the strut for injecting treatment fluid into the uterus.