Method for mechanical abdominal wall retraction

• US 5,690,607 A
• Filed: 07/03/1996
• Issued: 11/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Origin Medsystems Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Isoi, Edmund K. M., Chin, Albert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US08/675,694
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 600/204, 600/227, 600/228
• US Class Current: 600/228
• 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 17/0281 Abdominal wall lifters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22032 having inflatable gripping elements balloon catheters A61M25/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320048 Balloon dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms

Abstract

An apparatus for allowing two retractors, preferably fan retractors, to be used to lift the abdominal wall to provide improved visualization and working space in the abdomen of obese patients, and in the lateral regions of the abdomen of normal patients. The apparatus connects a first retractor and a second retractor to a mechanical lifting arm, and comprises a bar, and first, second, and third connecting devices. The first and second connecting devices are each slidably mounted on the bar, are each lockable to the bar, and connect the first retractor and the second retractor, respectively, to the bar. The third connecting device is attached to the center of the bar and connects the bar to the mechanical lifting arm. The apparatus is used by making a first incision and a second incision in the abdominal wall at separated locations. The first retractor is inserted into the first incision, and the second retractor is inserted into the second incision. The first retractor and the second retractor are attached to the crossbar, anal a lifting force is applied to the crossbar.

Claims

1. An improved method for connecting a pair of mechanical retractors to a mechanical lifting arm to lift a tissue plane of the body, said method comprising:

providing an elongated rigid bar;

inserting each of the pair of mechanical retractors through a small laparoscopic opening in the body;

slidably connecting one of the retractors in load and torque transmitting relationship to the bar for movement relative to the bar to different positions along the length of the bar;

slidably connecting the other of the retractors in load and torque transmitting relationship to the bar for movement relative to the bar to different positions along the length of the bar;

locking the retractors to the bar in adjusted spaced relationship;

securing the lifting arm to the bar between the retractors in load and torsion transmitting relationship; and

transmitting lifting force and torque from the arm to the bar and the pair of retractors to lift a tissue plane of the body.

2. In a combination according to claim 1, the improved method further comprising providing tongue and groove connectors to releasably secure the retractor in load and torque transmitting relationship to the bar.

3. In a combination according to claim 2, the improved method of claim 1 wherein the tongue and groove connectors are arranged to slidably disengage in response to force in a direction opposite to the direction of the lifting force.

4. The improved method of claim 1 wherein:

the bar is of a rectangular configuration having a longitudinal axis; and

the retractors are slidably mounted on the bar and keyed thereto against movement about said longitudinal axis.

5. The improved method of claim 4 wherein the lifting arm is fixedly secured to the bar.

6. The improved method of claim 1 wherein the lifting arm is secured to the bar by a dovetail connector, said dovetail connector being releasable in response to force in a direction opposite to the direction of lifting force.