Insertable device and system for minimal access procedure

• US 7,066,879 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2003
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Original Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Inventors: Fowler, Dennis L., Allen, Peter K., Miller, Andrew T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Flanagan, Beverly M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN
• Application Number:
  US10/620,298
• Publication Number:
  US 20050014994A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 600/109, 600/114, 600/160, 600/173, 600564-569
• US Class Current: 600/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00149 using articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00193 adapted for stereoscopic vision
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/313 for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3137 for examination of the interior of blood vessels
• 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 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/742 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/32 operating autonomously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/72 Micromanipulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means
• 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

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and single or multi-functional element device that can be inserted and temporarily placed or implanted into a structure having a lumen or hollow space, such as a subject'"'"'s abdominal cavity to provide therewith access to the site of interest in connection with minimally invasive surgical procedures. The insertable device may be configured such that the functional elements have various degrees of freedom of movement with respect to orienting the functional elements or elements to provide access to the site from multiple and different orientations/perspectives as the procedure dictates, e.g., to provide multiple selectable views of the site, and may provide a stereoscopic view of the site of interest.

Claims

1. A device insertable into a structure having a lumen, comprising:

a first housing;

at least one functional element connected to the first housing for use during a minimal access procedure; and

a securing element associated with the insertable device for removably securing the insertable device within the structure,

wherein the at least one functional element is movably connected to the first housing, the device further comprising at least one actuating element connected to the first housing and the functional element for moving the functional element in relation to the first housing essentially inline with an elongated axis of the device, and further comprising a lead screw, a shuttle capable of moving along the elongated axis of the screw, wherein the functional element is mounted to the shuttle and the actuating element is a motor for providing longitudinal movement to the shuttle along the elongated axis.

2. A device insertable into a structure having a lumen, comprising:

a first housing;

at least one functional element connected to the first housing for use during a minimal access procedure; and

a securing element associated with the insertable device for removably securing the insertable device within the structure,

wherein the at least one functional element is movably connected to the first housing, the device further comprising at least one actuating element connected to the first housing and the functional element for moving the functional element in relation to the first housing essentially inline with an elongated axis of the device, and further comprising a plurality of functional elements, a corresponding number of motors for producing rotational movement, a corresponding number of lead screws and a corresponding number of shuttles capable of moving along the elongated axis, each shuttle comprising a threaded portion and a hole therein, wherein each functional element is mounted to its corresponding shuttle, and wherein each motor is connected to its corresponding lead screw for providing longitudinal movement to the shuttle along the elongated axis, and wherein each lead screw passes through a hole of another shuttle to provide a guide for the other shuttle.

3. The insertable device of claim 2, further comprising at least one actuating element mounted onto each shuttle for moving the functional elements in relation to the first housing essentially orthogonal to the elongated axis thereby allowing the functional elements to be retracted into and extracted from the first housing.

4. The insertable device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of actuating elements are capable of moving each of the functional elements independently of each other.

5. A device insertable into a structure having a lumen, comprising;

a first housing;

a second housing rotatably connected to the first housing;

a plurality of camera elements each comprising an image sensor movably connected to the first housing;

at least one actuating element connected to the first housing and the second housing for rotating the first housing in relation to the second housing;

at least one actuating element connected to each of the camera elements for moving the camera element in relation to the first housing essentially orthogonal to an elongated axis of the device; and

a securing element associated with the second housing for removably securing the device within the structure.