Device or apparatus for manipulating matter

• US 5,720,754 A
• Filed: 04/28/1995
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Jervis, James E., Van Dyk, Karl, Pyka, Walter R., Poncet, Philippe, Buhler, Michael, Middleman, Lee M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hilten, John S.
• Application Number:
  US08/430,989
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 606/76, 606/78, 606/127, 606/151, 606/108, 606/106
• US Class Current: 606/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• 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 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0625 the needle being specially adapted to interact with the manipulator, e.g. being ridged to snap fit in a hole of the manipulator A61B17/06109 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/10 for applying or removing wound clamps, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068; Wound clamp magazines containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00, B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12013 for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/30 Surgical pincettes without pivotal connectionsfor holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483; wound clamps A61B17/08 ; hand-held gripping tools without pivotal connections in general B25B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3201 Scissors for biopsy A61B10/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32056 Surgical snare instruments for removing or smashing calculi A61B2017/2212; tonsillotomes A61B17/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/10 Power sources therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00287 Bags for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00349 Needle-like instruments having hook or barb-like gripping means, e.g. for grasping suture or tissue A61B17/06066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 : one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping channel for multiple instruments A61B2017/3445; instrument channel A61B2017/22072; replaceable heads A61B2017/2931; suction A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0038 : Simultaneous actuation of two tools by pushing one button or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00455 : Orientation indicators, e.g. recess on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 : shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 : Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 : Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06171 : helically or spirally coiled for needles A61B2017/06076
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22072 : with an instrument channel, e.g. for replacing one instrument by the other in cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 : flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 : with flexible part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/303 : with four or more legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320064 : with tissue or sample retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32113 : with extendable or retractable guard or blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 : with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 : Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0019 : operated at only one temperature whilst inside or touching the human body, e.g. constrained in a non-operative shape during surgery, another temperature only occurring before the operation
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 9/00 : Hand-held gripping tools other than those covered by group B25B7/00 wrenches B25B13/00; specially adapted for watchmakers' or like use G04D
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 13/26 : with intermediate links between the grips and the blades, e.g. for remote actuation

Abstract

The present invention accordingly provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature.

Preferably the invention provides such a device or apparatus which is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and which has the manipulator means at its distal end with the shape memory alloy member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within that body, and wherein the actuating means is operable from the proximal end of the device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manipulating an object, said apparatus comprising:

a cannula having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough;

a member, disposed within said longitudinal bore and extendable therefrom, said member having, (i) a proximal segment, and (ii) a distal segment coupled to said proximal segment and at least partially constructed of an elastic material, said distal segment assuming a first shape when extended from said bore and assuming a second shape when withdrawn into said bore; and

a distal end structure, at a distal end of said member, for contacting said object to be manipulated;

wherein said member is disposed within said cannula oriented such that said elastic distal segment exits said cannula in a predetermined lateral orientation; and

the apparatus further comprises means for indicating said predetermined lateral orientation.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for preventing said member from rotating within said cannula.

3. A remotely operated surgical device comprising:

(a) an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis;

(b) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means;

(c) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing.

4. A device according to claim 3 which comprises one of an endoscopic device, a catheter, and a laparoscopic device.

5. A remotely operated surgical device comprising:

(a) an elongate housing;

(b) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means, the surgical screen comprising at least one loop;

(c) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the loop is spanned by a perforated sheet.

7. A device according to claim 5 wherein the surgical screen comprises a graduated series of loops.

8. A device according to claim 5 wherein the surgical screen comprises at least two loops having an area therebetween being spanned by a perforated sheet.

9. A remotely operated surgical device comprising:

(a) an elongate housing;

(b) a retractor, the retractor comprising at least one elastically deformable loop; and

(c) means for projecting and retracting the retractor relative to the housing between a first position wherein the retractor is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the retractor is unconstrained by the housing and assumes an expanded memory shape.

10. A device according to claim 9 which comprises one of an endoscopic device, a catheter, or a laparoscopic device.

11. A device according to claim 9 wherein the retractor comprises at least one loop which is spanned by a membrane.

12. A device according to claim 9 wherein the retractor comprises at least two loops wherein at least one membrane spans an area between the loops.

13. A remotely operated surgical device comprising:

(a) an elongate housing;

(b) a retractor, the retractor comprising at least two finger-shaped members, wherein a membrane spans an area between the fingers; and

(c) means for projecting and retracting the retractor relative to the housing between a first position wherein the retractor is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the retractor is unconstrained by the housing and assumes an expanded memory shape.

14. A device comprising:

(a) a housing having a distal deployment opening and a longitudinal axis;

(b) a surgical screen which is constrainable within the housing, the surgical screen comprising an elastic material;

(c) remote means to manipulate the surgical screen relative to the distal deployment opening;

the surgical screen being movable between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is extended past the distal deployment end in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing and assumes an expanded shape.

15. A device comprising:

(a) a housing having a distal deployment opening;

(b) a surgical screen which is constrainable within the housing, the surgical screen comprising an elastic material and wherein said surgical screen comprises a graduated series of loops;

(c) remote means to manipulate the surgical screen relative to the distal deployment opening;

the surgical screen being movable between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is extended past the distal deployment end and assumes an expanded shape.

16. A method for removing an internal obstruction comprising:

(a) providing a remotely operated surgical device comprising;

(i) an elongate housing;

(ii) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means, the surgical screen comprising at least one loop;

(iii) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape;

(b) inserting an end of the elongate housing beyond a mass;

(c) deploying the surgical screen from the housing end; and

,

(d) retracting the housing and surgical screen to remove the mass.

17. A method for removing an internal obstruction comprising:

(a) providing a remotely operated surgical device comprising;

(i) an elongate housing;

(ii) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means, the surgical screen comprising at least one loop;

(iii) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape;

(b) inserting an end of the elongate housing beyond a mass;

(c) deploying the surgical screen from the housing end;

(d) fragmenting the mass; and

,

(e) retracting the housing and surgical screen to remove mass fragments.