Minimally invasive surgical stabilization devices and methods

• US 8,685,042 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2011
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Essure Inc. (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Mimi, Aguilar, Rosendo, Swann, Betsy, Aldridge, Elisa Janine, Stout, Christopher A., Bailey, Philip Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco, Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TARLA R
• Application Number:
  US13/006,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20110112370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 600101-184, 604/164.01, 604/158, 604/161, 604/163, 604/167.03, 604/171, 604/523, 604/70, 604/95.1, 128830-831, 128/840, 424/422, 606/28, 606/108, 606/135, 606/151, 606/113
• US Class Current: 606/135
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0014 Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/303 for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
• 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 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00238 Type of minimally invasive operation A61B2017/00805 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00336 with a protective sleeve, e.g. retractable or slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0034 adapted to be inserted through a working channel of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/06 for use by females A61F6/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/18 Inserters or removers ; Apparatus for loading an intra-uterine device into an insertion tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/225 transcervical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0097 characterised by the hub connectors A61M39/10

Abstract

The various embodiments of the present inventions provide stabilization devices and methods for use of the stabilization devices with minimally invasive gynecological procedures such as methods of preventing pregnancy by inserting intrafallopian contraceptive devices into the fallopian tubes.

Claims

1. A medical device stabilization arm comprising:

a first component designed to couple onto an exterior portion of a working channel of a rigid hysteroscope;

a second component designed to couple to a handle of a medical device to fix the position of the hysteroscope with respect to the medical device; and

an elongated arm extending between the first component and the second component to maintain a fixed longitudinal distance between the medical device and the hysteroscope and between the first component and the second component along a longitudinal path between the first component and the second component;

wherein the first component is longitudinally aligned opposite to the second component about ends of the elongated arm, and the elongated arm is offset to the longitudinal path between the first component and the second component so that an open space separates the first component and the second component along the longitudinal path between the first component and the second component and no part of the medical device stabilization arm is along the longitudinal path between the first component and the second component.

2. The medical device stabilization arm of claim 1 wherein the medical device is designed for an intrafallopian contraceptive procedure.

3. The medical device stabilization arm of claim 2 wherein the medical device includes an implant.

4. The medical device stabilization arm of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal path extends through the working channel.

5. The medical device stabilization arm of claim 1 wherein the second component is designed to couple to an exterior portion of the handle.

6. A kit comprising:

a rigid hysteroscope including a working channel; and

a medical device stabilization arm comprising;

a first component designed to couple onto an exterior portion of a working channel of the rigid hysteroscope;

a second component designed to couple to a handle of a medical device to fix the position of the hysteroscope with respect to the medical device; and

an elongated arm extending between the first component and the second component to maintain a fixed longitudinal distance between the medical device and the hysteroscope and between the first component and the second component along a longitudinal path between the first component and the second component;

wherein the first component is longitudinally aligned opposite to the second component about ends of the elongated arm, and the elongated arm is offset to the longitudinal path between the first component and the second component so that an open space separates the first component and the second component along the longitudinal path between the first component and the second component and no part of the medical device stabilization arm is along the longitudinal path between the first component and the second component.

7. The kit of claim 6 further comprising the medical device.

8. The kit of claim 7 wherein the medical device comprises a catheter extending from the handle, and an implant coupled to the catheter.

9. The kit of claim 6 wherein the longitudinal path extends through the working channel.

10. The kit of claim 6 wherein the second component is designed to couple to an exterior portion of the handle.