Laparoscopic instrument and trocar system and related surgical method

• US 8,439,831 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2010
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Piskun, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN
• Application Number:
  US12/957,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20120022334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 600114-115, 600/201, 600/204, 600/207
• US Class Current: 600/208
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy
• 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 17/282 Jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2841 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3423 Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands access sites for liquids A61M39/0247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00738 part of the tool being offset with respect to a main axis, e.g. for better view for the surgeon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3447 Linked multiple cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3466 for simultaneous sealing of multiple instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3486 Balloon

Abstract

Laparoscopic instruments and cannulas are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the C-shaped trocar sleeves or through the cannula and instrument holder unit provide markedly improved degrees of instruments'"'"' freedom during trans-umbilical laparoscopic procedures.

Claims

1. A method of laparoscopic surgery comprising the steps of:

grasping an inflatable instrument holder assembly having an insertion configuration for at least partial insertion of said holder assembly through an incision in a patient for at least partial insertion of said holder assembly into a patient cavity, and an in use configuration for use of said instrument holder assembly for access to said patient cavity, said instrument holder assembly radially compressed into a compact configuration for the insertion of said holder assembly at least partially through the incision in a patient, the radially compressed compacted instrument holder assembly defining an outer peripheral surface; and

inserting said radially compressed compacted instrument holder assembly at least partially through said incision,

wherein the step of grasping said radially compressed compacted inflatable instrument holder assembly is performed by retaining the outer peripheral surface of the radially compressed compacted instrument holder assembly via a pair of tongs.

2. The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

inflating said compacted instrument holder assembly to the in use configuration for use of said instrument holder assembly for access to said patient cavity.

3. The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of grasping said inflatable instrument holder assembly that is performed by retaining the radially compressed compacted instrument holder assembly via a pair of tongs is performed via a pair of tongs that comprise:

a pair of handles pivotably joined to each other, the handles defining proximal and distal ends; and

a pair of jaw elements configured and disposed one on each of the distal ends of the handles to enable retention of said radially compressed compacted instrument holder assembly.

4. The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

holding the compacted instrument holder assembly in place in the incision; and

opening the pair of tongs slightly to enable movement of the jaw elements from the compacted instrument holder assembly.

5. The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in claim 4, further comprising the steps of

pulling the pair of tongs in a direction proximal to a user;

and

separating the pair of tongs from the compacted instrument holder assembly.

6. The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in claim 5, further comprising the step of:

inflating said compacted instrument holder assembly, while positioned in the incision, to the in use configuration.

7. The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in claim 3, wherein the step of retaining the radially compressed compacted instrument holder assembly via the pair of tongs is performed wherein the jaw elements are cylindrically shaped, the cylindrically shaped jaw elements grasping the radially compressed compacted instrument holder assembly therebetween.