Methods and devices for guiding and supporting surgical instruments
First Claim
1. A surgical method, comprising:
- positioning a surgical support system on an exterior tissue surface of a patient such that an instrument guide port of the surgical support system is positioned a distance remote from the tissue surface, the instrument guide port defining a pivot point at the distance remote from the tissue surface;
advancing a surgical instrument through the instrument guide port such that a shaft of the surgical instrument extends through a tissue opening formed in the tissue surface to position a distal end of the instrument at a first position within a body cavity underlying the tissue surface; and
angularly adjusting the instrument relative to the surgical support system such that the instrument pivots at the pivot point to move the pivot point in two planes of motion and to move the distal end of the instrument in three planes of motion from the first position within the body cavity to a second, different position within the body cavity, the pivoting of the instrument being limited to movement in the two planes of motion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for allowing a surgical instrument to be supported by a surgical support system configured to controllably guide the instrument to a desired position at surgical site. A surgical support system is provided that includes a guide port defining a pivot point about which a surgical instrument advance therethrough can pivot. The guide port, and hence the pivot point, can be located a distance above a tissue surface through which the instrument is advanced. Methods and devices are also provided for allowing insufflation of a body cavity without introduction of an insufflation fluid therein. A mechanical insufflation device is provided that includes an expandable distal member configured to selectively expand and unexpand to mechanically insufflate a body cavity. The mechanical insufflation device can optionally be used with the surgical support system.
99 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A surgical method, comprising:
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positioning a surgical support system on an exterior tissue surface of a patient such that an instrument guide port of the surgical support system is positioned a distance remote from the tissue surface, the instrument guide port defining a pivot point at the distance remote from the tissue surface; advancing a surgical instrument through the instrument guide port such that a shaft of the surgical instrument extends through a tissue opening formed in the tissue surface to position a distal end of the instrument at a first position within a body cavity underlying the tissue surface; and angularly adjusting the instrument relative to the surgical support system such that the instrument pivots at the pivot point to move the pivot point in two planes of motion and to move the distal end of the instrument in three planes of motion from the first position within the body cavity to a second, different position within the body cavity, the pivoting of the instrument being limited to movement in the two planes of motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 16)
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6. A surgical method, comprising:
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positioning a surgical support on an exterior skin surface overlying a body cavity, the support including distal and proximal portions movably coupled together; inserting a surgical instrument through a guide in the proximal portion of the support and through an opening in the skin surface to position a distal end of the surgical instrument within the body cavity at a first location; and moving the proximal portion of the support in a linear direction relative to the distal portion of the support and in an arcuate direction relative to the distal portion of the support to move the distal end of the surgical instrument from the first location to a second, different location within the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification