INTERNAL TISSUE RETRACTOR

• US 20090227844A1
• Filed: 05/18/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Inventors: Hart, Charles C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,308,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/208
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/32 Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body dilators A61M29/00
• 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 17/0293 with ring member to support retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0212 Cushions or pads, without holding arms, as tissue retainers, e.g. for retracting viscera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 with releasable head

Abstract

A positionable internal retraction device is provided comprising a malleable ring member and a web-like structure. The retraction device operates to temporarily reposition tissues and organs from an operative site to provide a clear access and visual path for the surgeon. The ring member may be elongated, twisted, folded, bent or deformed to provide an appropriate insertion profile and subsequent functional shape. The retraction device may be shaped for both open and minimally invasive surgeries. The retraction device is atraumatic and may be used for retraction of delicate tissues and organs. The ring member may have different bending biases. The web-like structure may be constructed of any elastic material that can stretch and recover from the shaping and reshaping of the ring member. In another aspect of the invention, the ring member further comprises an internal lumen defining a wall, which may be of any geometric shape providing a desired bending bias. The ring member may further include a reinforcement member placed within the lumen and made of a “shape memory” material that allows the reinforcement member to return to its desired shape or condition after being bent. The reinforcement member may be placed in some sections of the ring member to keep these sections substantially straight. Each of the ring member, the reinforcement member and the internal wall may have a cross-section or profile of any geometric shape to provide a desired bending bias in a preferred plane. In yet another aspect of the invention, the ring member further comprises a second lumen and a second reinforcement member placed within the second lumen to provide a desired bending bias.

Claims

1. A temporary tissue repositioning device comprising:

a bendable frame comprising;

a first axis and a second axis intersecting the first axis;

a surface defined by the first axis and the second axis;

a first side and a second side defined by the surface;

a plurality of elongate first bending portions parallel to the first axis and parallel to each other; and

a plurality of second bending portions, operatively coupled to the first bending portions; and

a fabric cover disposed over the first side of the frame, wherein

the bendable frame is reversibly and manually bendable between a first state and a second state;

in the first state, the bendable frame is flattened;

in the second state, bendable frame is bent;

the frame in the first state remains in the first state;

the frame in the second state remains in the second state; and

the fabric cover disposed over the first side conforms to the surface in the first state and the second state.

2. The repositioning device of claim 1, wherein the first bending portions are longer than the second bending portions.

3. The repositioning device of claim 1, wherein the first bending portions and the second bending portions comprise wire.

4. The repositioning device of claim 1, wherein the first bending portions and the second bending portions comprise at least one of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, a shape memory material, and nickel-titanium alloy.

5. The repositioning device of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a ring comprising the plurality of first bending portions and the plurality of second bending portions.

6. The repositioning device of claim 1, wherein the fabric cover is woven or knit.

7. The repositioning device of claim 1, wherein the fabric cover extends over the second side of the frame.

8. The repositioning device of claim 1, wherein in the second state, the frame is bent along the first axis.

9. The repositioning device of claim 1, wherein in the second state, the frame is bent along the second axis.

10. A method for temporarily repositioning tissue in a surgical procedure comprising:

inserting the repositioning device of claim 1 through an incision into a body cavity;

deforming the repositioning device into the second state; and

repositioning tissue away from a surgical workplace.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein inserting the repositioning device of claim 1 through the incision into the body cavity comprises inserting the repositioning device of claim 1 through the incision into an abdominal cavity.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein inserting the repositioning device of claim 1 through an incision comprises inserting the repositioning device of claim 1 in the first state.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein repositioning tissue comprises repositioning an organ.

14. A temporary tissue repositioning device comprising:

a bendable frame comprising;

a first side and a second side;

a plurality of plastically deformable, first bending portions parallel to each other and parallel to the first axis; and

a plurality of plastically deformable, second bending portions, operatively coupled to the first bending portions; and

a fabric cover disposed over the first side of the frame,

wherein

the frame is reversibly, manually bendable between a first state and a second state;

in the first state, all of the plurality of first bending portions and the plurality of second bending portions are substantially straight;

in the second state, at least some of the plurality of first bending portions and the plurality of second bending portions are bent;

the frame in the first state remains in the first state; and

the frame in the second state remains in the second state.