Device or apparatus for manipulating matter

• US 6,004,330 A
• Filed: 03/03/1995
• Issued: 12/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Poncet, Philippe, Jervis, James E., Van Dyk, Karl, Pyka, Walter R., Buhler, Michael, Middleman, Lee M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hilten, John S.
• Application Number:
  US08/398,629
• Time in Patent Office: 1,754 Days
• Field of Search: 606/127, 606/128, 606/106, 606/78, 606/151, 604/54, 604/73, 604/93, 604/96, 604/99, 604/268, 604/327, 604/339
• 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
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 : Instruments for applying suture anchors
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06171 : helically or spirally coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22072 : with an instrument channel, e.g. for replacing one instrument by the other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 : having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2215 : having an open distal end
• 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 alby 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. A device or apparatus for manipulating matter at an intended manipulation temperature in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising:

(i) manipulator means at least partially constructed of at least one bent or twisted elongated shape memory alloy member having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and

(ii) a barrier material spanning said at least one alloy member, the barrier material being impermeable to the matter manipulated;

(iii) a hollow housing or cannula capable of initially holding at least the at least one alloy member in a relatively straightened state, and

(iv) actuating means for extending the at least one alloy member with said barrier member from the housing to manipulate matter within said space and for withdrawing the at least one alloy member into the housing, the arrangement being such that the at least one alloy member bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at said manipulation temperature and the at least one alloy member becomes relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at said temperature.

2. A device or apparatus according to claim 1 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 at least one alloy member 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.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drawstring for sealing the barrier member.

4. An apparatus comprising a surgical instrument for manipulating an object, said apparatus comprising:

a cannula having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough;

a member, disposed within said longitudinal bore and extendible therefrom, said member having

(i) a proximal segment, and

(ii) a distal segment coupled to said proximal segment, said distal segment assuming a first shape when extended from said bore and assuming a second shape when withdrawn into said bore wherein said distal segment is constructed at least partially of a pseudoelastic shape memory alloy, said distal segment assuming a first shape when extended from said bore and its alloy is in a substantially austenitic phase, and assuming a second shape when withdrawn into said bore and its alloy is stressed to contain more martensite phase;

a distal end structure, at a distal end of said member, including a barrier member spanning said distal segment for contacting said object to be manipulated; and

handle means, coupled to at least one of said cannula and said member, for manually inserting said member through said cannula to distally extend said distal segment from said bore, and for withdrawing said distal segment into said bore.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said proximal segment and said distal segment are of unitary construction.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said distal end structure and said member are of unitary construction.

7. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the pseudoelastic shape memory alloy is nickel-titanium shape memory alloy.

8. A surgical device comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) a barrier member, the barrier member comprising a pseudoelastically deformable loop and a barrier membrane spanning the loop; and

(c) means for moving said barrier member between a first position wherein the barrier membrane and said loop are constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the barrier membrane and said loop are is unconstrained by the housing such that said loop expands pseudoelastically when moved between the first position and the second position.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said barrier member comprises a tissue collection pouch, the tissue collection pouch including a mouth portion which can be substantially closed.

10. A surgical device comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) a shape memory alloy wire having a barrier material disposed thereon;

(c) means for moving the wire between a first position wherein the wire is constrained within the housing such that the wire includes stress induced martensite, and a second position wherein the wire is unconstrained by the housing and assumes an expanded memory shape; and

(d) means for withdrawing the barrier member.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said means for withdrawing comprises a drawstring.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the alloy wire comprises a loop and wherein the housing and the loop can be separated from the barrier member and drawstring in use.

13. A device according to claim 10, including means for indicating the orientation of the wire when extended from the housing.

14. A device according to claim 10, including means for preventing the wire from rotating within the housing or cannula.

15. A remotely operated surgical device comprising:

(a) an elongated housing;

(b) a surgical screen comprising at least one member comprising a pseudoelastically deformable material;

(c) means for moving 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 such that said pseudoelastically deformable member is constrained within the housing and expands pseudoelastically into an expanded shape when the surgical screen is moved between the first position and the second position.

16. A device according to claim 15 also comprising an endoscopic device, a catheter or a laproscopic device.

17. A device according to claim 15 wherein the pseudoelastically deformable member is in the form of a loop.

18. A device according to claim 17 wherein the loop is spanned by a perforated sheet.

19. A surgical device comprising a sheath;

a basket comprising at least one member comprising a shape memory alloy, and a barrier material spanning said shape memory alloy, the basket being constrained within the sheath such that the shape memory member includes stress induced martensite; and

means for expandably deploying said basket from said sheath.

20. A remotely operated surgical device comprising:

(a) an elongate housing;

(b) a retractor, the retractor comprising at least one pseudoelastically deformable member which is spanned by an impermeable membrane; 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 such that said pseudoelastically deformable member is constrained within the housing and expands pseudoelastically into an expanded shape when the retractor is moved between the first position and the second position.

21. A device according to claim 20 also comprising an endoscopic device, a catheter or a laproscopic device.