Laparoscopic instrument and trocar systems for trans-umbilical laparoscopic surgery

• US 8,652,160 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2009
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Piskun, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN VAN
• Application Number:
  US12/636,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20100137691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/151, 606/157, 606/158, 606/205, 604/164.01, 600/204, 600/205, 600/206, 600/208
• US Class Current: 606/185
• 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 17/06066 Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations making needles B21G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/34 Trocars; Puncturing needles pointed biopsy instruments A61B10/0233; devices for piercing the ear-lobes A44C7/001; seals or hemostasis valves A61M39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3403 Needle locating or guiding means guides for suture needles A61B17/0482; guiding or tracking by nuclear magnetic resonance G01R33/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• 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 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0225 flexible, e.g. fabrics, meshes, or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06028 by means of a cylindrical longitudinal blind bore machined at the suture-receiving end of the needle, e.g. opposite to needle tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06047 located at the middle of the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0609 having sharp tips at both ends, e.g. shuttle needle alternately retained and released by first and second facing jaws of a suturing instrument MIS suturing instruments A61B17/0469; jaws of MIS forceps A61B2017/2926
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2904 curved, but rigid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3419 Sealing means between cannula and body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 used as instrument channel for multiple instruments catheters A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3447 Linked multiple cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3486 Balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3492 against the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms

Abstract

Laparoscopic instruments and trocars are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. A generally C-shaped trocar provides increased work space between the hands of the surgeon as well as S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the trocar when laparoscopic instrument-trocar units are placed through the umbilicus. In order to facilitate retraction of intra-abdominal structures during a laparoscopic procedure, an angulated needle and thread with either one-or two sharp ends is provided. Alternatively, an inflatable unit having at least one generally C-shaped trocar incorporated within the unit'"'"'s walls can be placed through the umbilicus following a single incision. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments may be placed through the generally C-shaped trocars to facilitate access to intra-abdominal structures.

Claims

1. A trocar holder for holding multiple spaced-apart trocars comprising:

a flexible sleeve defining a portion of a surgical site;

an upper surface;

a separate lower surface spaced from and disposed below said upper surface; and

an outer wall connected between said upper surface and said lower surface, said outer wall defining a cavity, a distal portion of which forms a portion of the surgical site, at least one passageway defined by said upper surface, said lower surface and said outer wall, the trocar holder upper surface having multiple space-apart openings configured to enable multiple trocars to be disposed through said upper surface, and wherein at least one of said trocars has a straight configuration.

2. The trocar holder as in claim 1, wherein the trocar holder includes at least one trocar having a straight configuration at least partially disposed, at said upper surface, through said at least one passageway.

3. The trocar holder as in claim 1, wherein the at least one passageway is formed by resilient material.

4. The trocar holder as in claim 3, wherein the at least one passageway extends from the upper surface to the lower surface.

5. The trocar holder as in claim 1, wherein the outer wall is configured and dimensioned to be positioned within a surgical incision in a subject.

6. The trocar holder as in claim 5, wherein said lower surface cooperates with said outer wall to seal the upper surface in position with respect to the surgical incision in the subject.

7. The trocar holder as in claim 6, wherein the upper surface, the outer wall and the lower surface together define a working access for surgical instruments positioned in said trocars.

8. The trocar holder as in claim 7, wherein at least the outer wall is deformable between a first position for insertion into a surgical incision and a second position in sealing contact with the surgical incision.

9. The trocar holder as in claim 1, wherein the trocar holder includes trocars each having a proximal portion and a distal portion and wherein the proximal portion extends proximally of the upper surface.

10. The trocar holder as in claim 1, wherein the trocar holder is configured such that the at least one passageway enables the spaced apart multiple trocars to be inserted into the at least one passageway prior to insertion of the lower surface in a surgical incision of a subject.

11. The trocar holder as in claim 1, wherein the trocar holder is configured such that the at least one passageway enables the spaced apart multiple trocars to be inserted into the at least one passageway after insertion of the lower surface in a surgical incision of a subject.

12. A trocar holder for holding multiple spaced-apart trocars comprising:

a flexible sleeve defining a portion of a surgical site, said flexible sleeve having a proximal portion and an open distal portion defining a cavity therein, said distal portion forming the portion of the surgical site;

an upper surface;

a separate lower surface spaced from and disposed below said upper surface; and

an outer wall connected between said upper surface and said lower surface, at least one passageway defined by said upper surface, said lower surface and said outer wall, the trocar holder upper surface having multiple spaced-apart openings configured to enable multiple trocars to be disposed through said upper surface, and wherein at least one of said trocars has a straight configuration, and wherein the at least one of said trocars having a straight configuration is at least partially disposed, at said upper surface, through said at least one passageway.

13. The trocar holder as in claim 12, wherein the at least one passageway is formed by resilient material.

14. The trocar holder as in claim 13, wherein the at least one passageway extends from the upper surface to the lower surface.

15. The trocar holder as in claim 12, wherein the outer wall is configured and dimensioned to be positioned within a surgical incision in a subject.

16. The trocar holder as in claim 15, wherein said lower surface cooperates with said outer wall to seal the upper surface in position with respect to the surgical incision in the subject.