Instrument stabilizer for through-a-port surgery
First Claim
1. A stabilization device for a surgical instrument, said stabilization device using a vacuum to at least partially couple said stabilization device on the human body, said device comprising:
- a) a proximal housing assembly having a lower surface defining a fluid path, said housing having an adapter to couple said fluid path to a vacuum source;
b) an element which is angularly movable within the housing; and
c) a tubular member extending through said element, said tubular member having means for contacting the surgical instrument such that the surgical instrument is radially stabilized within said tubular member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An instrument stabilizer minimizes unwanted motion at the distal end of a surgical instrument by applying a damping force to the instrument. According to one embodiment, the instrument stabilizer preferably includes a cannula through which an instrument can extend, and a distal bushing adapted to contact the instrument. The instrument stabilizer also includes a proximal housing which includes a mechanism which applies a stabilizing or damping force to the proximal portion of the cannula. The mechanism which applies the force may be, by way of example, one or more of elastic bands, springs, struts, etc. When a surgical instrument is extended through the cannula and contacts the bushing, movement of the cannula and consequently the surgical instrument is damped by the stabilization force on the proximal portion of the cannula. In addition, a swivel device for angularly orienting the instrument stabilizer relative to a body of patient is also provided.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A stabilization device for a surgical instrument, said stabilization device using a vacuum to at least partially couple said stabilization device on the human body, said device comprising:
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a) a proximal housing assembly having a lower surface defining a fluid path, said housing having an adapter to couple said fluid path to a vacuum source;
b) an element which is angularly movable within the housing; and
c) a tubular member extending through said element, said tubular member having means for contacting the surgical instrument such that the surgical instrument is radially stabilized within said tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31)
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14. A stabilization device for a surgical instrument used in performing surgery on the human body, said device comprising:
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a) a proximal housing;
b) a base adapted to be coupled to the human body;
c) means for coupling said housing to said base such that said housing may be movably angled relative to said base; and
d) a tubular member extending through and coupled relative to said housing, said tubular member having a means for contacting a distal end of the surgical instrument extending therethrough.
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23. A stabilization device for a surgical instrument used in performing surgery on the human body, said device comprising:
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a) a proximal housing;
b) a base including means for coupling said base to the human body;
c) means for coupling said housing to said base such that said housing may be movably angled relative to said base;
d) a tubular member extending through and angularly movable relative to said housing; and
e) means for damping movement of said tubular member relative to said housing.
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29. A stabilization device for a surgical instrument used in performing surgery on the human body, said device comprising:
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a) a housing including a cap portion and a base portion, said cap portion and said base portion defining a channel having a radius of curvature;
b) means for coupling said housing to the human body;
c) a tubular member provided with a proximal flange having a radius of curvature, said flange riding in said channel; and
d) means in or coupled to said tubular member for contacting the surgical instrument to radially stabilize the surgical instrument.
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Specification