Surgical method utilizing transluminal endoscope and instruments
First Claim
1. A method of transluminal surgery, comprising the steps of:
- providing an endoscopic surgery apparatus including a tubular member having a plurality of channels along its longitudinal axis, a handle located on a proximal end of the tubular member, two or more arms pivotably connected to a distal end of the tubular member, wherein two or more of said arms have a guiding channel passing therethrough adapted to receive an endoscopic surgical tool passed from one of the plurality of channels through the guiding channel and wherein each of the two or more arms having a guiding channel are pivotably connected to the distal end of the tubular member by a single hinge;
inserting the distal end of the tubular member through a natural body orifice into a body cavity with the arms in a closed position;
creating an incision in a body cavity wall sized to accommodate the tubular member using at least one endoscopic surgical tool;
advancing the distal end of the tubular member through the incision to a desired surgical site;
pivoting the arms about the hinges into an open position using a mechanism on the handle such that the guiding channels passing through the arms create a desired degree of triangulation for endoscopic surgical tools disposed in the guiding channels;
performing at least one surgical task at the surgical site; and
pivoting the arms about the hinges into a closed position using a mechanism on the handle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of transluminal surgery is provided, which utilizes an endoscopic surgery apparatus having pivotable arms attached by hinges on its distal end. The arms are interchangeable with arms of various configurations. The method includes the steps of inserting an endoscopic surgery apparatus into a body cavity of a patient, making an incision in the body cavity wall to allow access to the patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity, and further inserting the apparatus through the incision. Surgery is performed at the desired surgical site and the apparatus is withdrawn into the body cavity where the incision is closed. Finally, the apparatus is withdrawn from the patient'"'"'s body.
49 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of transluminal surgery, comprising the steps of:
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providing an endoscopic surgery apparatus including a tubular member having a plurality of channels along its longitudinal axis, a handle located on a proximal end of the tubular member, two or more arms pivotably connected to a distal end of the tubular member, wherein two or more of said arms have a guiding channel passing therethrough adapted to receive an endoscopic surgical tool passed from one of the plurality of channels through the guiding channel and wherein each of the two or more arms having a guiding channel are pivotably connected to the distal end of the tubular member by a single hinge; inserting the distal end of the tubular member through a natural body orifice into a body cavity with the arms in a closed position; creating an incision in a body cavity wall sized to accommodate the tubular member using at least one endoscopic surgical tool; advancing the distal end of the tubular member through the incision to a desired surgical site; pivoting the arms about the hinges into an open position using a mechanism on the handle such that the guiding channels passing through the arms create a desired degree of triangulation for endoscopic surgical tools disposed in the guiding channels; performing at least one surgical task at the surgical site; and pivoting the arms about the hinges into a closed position using a mechanism on the handle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification