Device for endoscopic vessel harvesting

• US 6,042,538 A
• Filed: 11/18/1998
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emory University
• Original Assignee: Emory University
• Inventors: Puskas, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US09/195,782
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 600/104, 600/114, 600/128, 600/188, 600/210, 600/221, 600/235, 606/159, 606/1, 606/190
• US Class Current: 600/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00008 Vein tendon strippers tube strippers A61M1/83

Abstract

A endoscopic device provides improvements in the endoscopic working space by the use of a semi-tubular hood with an arched top wall and self-supporting walls that allow simultaneous manipulations of dissection, cutting, ligation, and retraction, and the like, without requiring constant application of external force; while enhancing visualization and reducing the need for cleaning the endoscopic lens.

Claims

1. An endoscopic device, comprising:

a. a shaft having a lumen therethrough for receiving an endoscope;

b. a semi-tubular hood having an arched top wall connected to the shaft and self-supporting side walls extending from the arched top wall, wherein the semi-tubular hood permits the separation of layers of tissue during dissection and maintains a generous working space capable of receiving at least one additional surgical instrument therein, and, wherein the shaft is exterior to the top and working space of the semi-tubular hood, thereby not impinging on the working space within the semi-tubular hood; and

,

c. a concave head connected to a distal end of the semi-tubular hood, the head having a spoon-shape and defining a cavity thereunder.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to the shaft or to the semi-tubular hood at the proximal end of the shaft or semi-tubular hood.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising an endoscope in the shaft, wherein the endoscope has a viewing angle of between about 30°

and about 60°

relative to the shaft.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising an endoscope in the shaft, wherein the endoscope has a viewing angle of about 45°

relative to the shaft.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the spoon-shaped head has an indentation at its leading edge to accommodate a vessel to be harvested.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the semi-tubular hood extends the full length of the shaft.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the top wall of the semi-tubular hood has an arc of greater than 120°

.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the top wall of the semi-tubular hood has an arc of about 180°

.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the side walls extend from the top arched wall for a length of between about 0.5 cm to about 7.5 cm.

20. The device of claim 1, further comprising an endoscope in the shaft, wherein the endoscope has a viewing angle of between about 0°

and about 90°

relative to the shaft.

10. An endoscopic device, comprising:

a. a shaft having a lumen therethrough for receiving an endoscope;

b. a semi-tubular hood having an arched top wall connected to the shaft and self-supporting side walls extending from the arched top wall, wherein the semi-tubular hood permits the separation of layers of tissue during dissection and maintains a generous working space capable of receiving at least one additional surgical instrument therein; and

,

c. a concave head connected to a distal end of the semi-tubular hood, the head having a spoon-shape and defining a cavity thereunder, and wherein the spoon-shaped head has an indentation at its leading edge to accommodate a vessel to be harvested.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a handle connected to the shaft or to the semi-tubular hood at the proximal end of the shaft or semi-tubular hood.

12. The device of claim 10, further comprising an endoscope in the shaft, wherein the endoscope has a viewing angle of between about 30°

and about 60°

relative to the shaft.

13. The device of claim 10, further comprising an endoscope in the shaft, wherein the endoscope has a viewing angle of about 45°

relative to the shaft.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the semi-tubular hood extends the full length of the shaft.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the shaft is in or exterior to the top wall of the semi-tubular hood, thereby not impinging on the working space within the semi-tubular hood.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein the top wall of the semi-tubular hood has an arc of greater than 120°

.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein the top wall of the semi-tubular hood has an arc of about 180°

.

18. The device of claim 10, wherein the side walls extend from the top arched wall for a length of between about 0.5 cm to about 7.5 cm.

19. The device of claim 10, further comprising an endoscope in the shaft, wherein the endoscope has a viewing angle of between about 0°

and about 90°

relative to the shaft.