Methods and apparatus to shape flexible entry guides for minimally invasive surgery
First Claim
1. A method for a surgical procedure, the method comprising:
- inserting a first steering device into a first lumen at a first end of a flexible entry guide tube, wherein the first steering device includes a surgical end effector to perform the surgical procedure and includes a cable extending therein to enable independent steering of a first steerable tip portion thereof;
securing, with a locking device, the first steerable tip portion of the first steering device in attachment to a second end of the flexible entry guide tube at a desired position within the second end of the flexible entry guide tube, the locking device being disposed on the first steerable tip portion to lock the first steerable tip portion relative to the second end of the flexible entry guide;
inserting the flexible entry guide tube into a body cavity through an opening;
steering the second end of the flexible entry guide tube towards a first surgical site within the body cavity using the first steering device;
locking a shape of the flexible entry guide tube in place within the body cavity with the second end located near the surgical site, wherein locking includes actuating a locking cable; and
with the shape locked by the actuated locking cable, extending the surgical end effector distally away from the second end of the flexible entry guide tube to perform the surgical procedure.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for performing surgical procedures is disclosed including a flexible entry guide tube, and a first steering device. The flexible entry guide tube has one or more lumens extending along its length from a proximal end to substantially at or near a distal end. At least one of the one or more lumens is an instrument lumen with open ends to receive a flexible shaft of a surgical tool to perform surgery near the distal end of the flexible entry guide tube. The first steering device is insertable into the instrument lumen to shape the flexible entry guide tube as it is inserted through an opening in a body and along a path towards a surgical site. The apparatus may further include a flexible locking device to couple to the flexible entry guide tube and selectively rigidize the flexible entry guide tube to hold its shape. The flexible entry guide tube may be steered by remote control with one or more actuators.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for a surgical procedure, the method comprising:
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inserting a first steering device into a first lumen at a first end of a flexible entry guide tube, wherein the first steering device includes a surgical end effector to perform the surgical procedure and includes a cable extending therein to enable independent steering of a first steerable tip portion thereof; securing, with a locking device, the first steerable tip portion of the first steering device in attachment to a second end of the flexible entry guide tube at a desired position within the second end of the flexible entry guide tube, the locking device being disposed on the first steerable tip portion to lock the first steerable tip portion relative to the second end of the flexible entry guide; inserting the flexible entry guide tube into a body cavity through an opening; steering the second end of the flexible entry guide tube towards a first surgical site within the body cavity using the first steering device; locking a shape of the flexible entry guide tube in place within the body cavity with the second end located near the surgical site, wherein locking includes actuating a locking cable; and with the shape locked by the actuated locking cable, extending the surgical end effector distally away from the second end of the flexible entry guide tube to perform the surgical procedure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for a surgical procedure, the method comprising:
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inserting a distal end of a flexible entry guide through an opening of a body, the flexible entry guide including one or more lumens to receive tools; operating controls at a console to remotely and telerobotically control one or more actuators; positioning a tool within one of the lumens, at least one cable extending within the one of the lumens to enable independent steering of a steerable tip portion of the tool, the tool having a surgical end effector affixed at a distal end of the tool; securing the steerable tip portion of the tool in attachment to the distal end of the flexible entry guide at a desired position within the distal end of the flexible entry guide, a locking device being disposed on the steerable tip portion to lock the steerable tip portion relative to the distal end of the flexible entry guide; steering the flexible entry guide towards a surgical site in response to the remote control of the one or more actuators, wherein a shape of the flexible entry guide is influenced by the steerable portion of the tool; actuating a locking cable to rigidize a shape of the flexible entry guide in place within the body; and with the shape rigidized by the actuated locking cable, extending the steerable portion of the tool having the surgical end effector beyond the distal end of the flexible entry guide to perform the surgical procedure with the end effector. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for a surgical procedure, the method comprising:
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inserting a plurality of instruments into a respective plurality of lumens in a flexible entry guide, wherein at least two instruments of the plurality of instruments are spaced at different distances from a distal tip of the flexible entry guide; pushing and/or pulling on shafts of the plurality of instruments, the plurality of instruments having portions releasably attached to a respective plurality of lumen walls, to steer the flexible entry guide to a surgical site of a body while steerable tip portions of the plurality of instruments are positioned within the plurality of lumens in the flexible entry guide; steering, by control cables, a first steerable instrument of the plurality of instruments while the first steerable instrument is positioned within a corresponding lumen of the plurality of lumens to obtain a desired shape of a first steerable tip portion of the first steerable instrument and to impart the desired shape to a portion of the flexible entry guide; rigidizing the flexible entry guide, by actuating a locking cable, to maintain its shape and position in the body near the surgical site to perform the surgical procedure; and with the shape of the flexible entry guide rigidized by the actuated locking cable, extending at least one of the plurality of instruments from a distal end of the flexible entry guide. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification