Methods of using light to repair hernia defects

• US 9,186,053 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2013
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Viola, Frank J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): ECKMAN, MICHELLE CHRISTINE
• Application Number:
  US13/860,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20130296657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 600 2-343, 600414-415, 600424-429, 607/88, 607 90- 93, 606/151, 606153-155
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0625 for multiple fixed illumination angles
• 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 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3945 Active visible markers, e.g. light emitting diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/13 guided by light, e.g. laser pointers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0072 Delivery tools therefor

Abstract

A hernia repair method includes the step of identifying a hernia defect in a patient, the hernia defect having a size, a location, and a shape. The method involves positioning a dispensing instrument laparoscopically into the patient adjacent the hernia defect. According to one step, the method includes dispensing one or more light pipes from the dispensing instrument at predetermined locations. The method also involves advancing the one or more light pipes through the patient'"'"'s skin. Another step includes coupling a light source to the one or more light pipes. The method also involves generating a pattern of light that indicates one or more of the size, the location, and the shape of the hernia defect. One step includes positioning a surgical patch adjacent the hernia defect in accordance with the pattern of light.

Claims

1. A hernia repair method, comprising:

identifying a hernia defect in a patient, the hernia defect having a size, a location, and a shape;

positioning a dispensing instrument laparoscopically into the patient adjacent the hernia defect;

dispensing leading and trailing ends of a first light pipe from a leading end of the dispensing instrument at a predetermined location within the patient to separate the first light pipe from the dispensing instrument;

advancing the leading end of the first light pipe through the patient'"'"'s skin;

coupling a light source to the leading end of the first light pipe;

generating a pattern of light with the first light pipe that indicates at least one of;

the size, the location, or the shape of the hernia defect; and

positioning a surgical patch adjacent the hernia defect in accordance with the pattern of light.

2. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the dispensing instrument adjacent a corner or a periphery of the hernia defect prior to dispensing the first light pipe.

3. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising advancing the trailing end of the first light pipe to a position immediately adjacent the hernia defect after advancing the leading end of the first light pipe through the patient'"'"'s skin.

4. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising dispensing a second light pipe from the dispensing instrument.

5. The hernia repair method of claim 4, further comprising bundling the first and second light pipes.

6. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising generating the pattern of light so that the pattern of light can be visualized, ex vivo, through the surgical patch when the surgical patch is positioned over the hernia defect in vivo.

7. The hernia repair method of claim 1, wherein the first light pipe is a fiber optic light pipe.

8. The hernia repair method of claim 1, further comprising removing the first light pipe from the patient after positioning the surgical patch adjacent the hernia defect.

9. The hernia repair method of claim 1, wherein coupling the light source to the leading end of the first light pipe includes transmitting light from the light source from the leading end of the first light pipe to the trailing end of the first light pipe so that light can exit from the trailing end of the first light pipe into the patient.

10. A hernia repair method, comprising:

identifying a hernia defect in a patient, the hernia defect having a size, a location, and a shape;

positioning a dispensing instrument laparoscopically into the patient adjacent the hernia defect;

dispensing leading and trailing ends of a first light pipe from a leading end of the dispensing instrument at a predetermined location within the patient to separate the first light pipe from the dispensing instrument;

piercing the patient'"'"'s skin with the leading end of the first light pipe to cut through the patient'"'"'s skin from an internal surface of the patient'"'"'s skin to an external surface of the patient'"'"'s skin, the leading end of the first light pipe being sharpened;

advancing the leading end of the first light pipe through the patient'"'"'s skin;

coupling a light source to the leading end of the first light pipe;

generating a pattern of light with the first light pipe that indicates at least one of;

the size, the location, or the shape of the hernia defect; and

positioning a surgical patch adjacent the hernia defect in accordance with the pattern of light.

11. The hernia repair method of claim 10, further comprising maintaining the trailing end of the first light pipe positioned within the patient after the leading end of the first light pipe is pierced through the internal and external surfaces of the patient'"'"'s skin and positioned externally of the patient.

12. The hernia repair method of claim 10, further comprising positioning the dispensing instrument adjacent a corner or a periphery of the hernia defect prior to dispensing the first light pipe.

13. The hernia repair method of claim 10, further comprising advancing the trailing end of the first light pipe to a position immediately adjacent the hernia defect after advancing the leading end of the first light pipe through the patient'"'"'s skin.

14. The hernia repair method of claim 10, further comprising dispensing a second light pipe from the dispensing instrument.

15. The hernia repair method of claim 14, further comprising generating the pattern of light with the first and second light pipes and positioning the first and second light pipes at predetermined locations within the patient to form an outline of the hernia defect in vivo.

16. The hernia repair method of claim 14, further comprising bundling the first and second light pipes.

17. The hernia repair method of claim 10, further comprising generating the pattern of light so that the pattern of light can be visualized, ex vivo, through the surgical patch when the surgical patch is positioned over the hernia defect in vivo.

18. The hernia repair method of claim 10, wherein the first light pipe is a fiber optic light pipe.

19. The hernia repair method of claim 10, further comprising removing the first light pipe from the patient after positioning the surgical patch adjacent the hernia defect.

20. The hernia repair method of claim 10, wherein coupling the light source to the leading end of the first light pipe includes transmitting light from the light source from the leading end of the first light pipe to the trailing end of the first light pipe so that light can exit from the trailing end of the first light pipe into the patient.