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Publication Number
US-10166348-B2
Publication Date
2019-01-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
An aerosol generator is positioned adjacent to a patient as an attachment to a trocar. The trocar has an entry port for insufflation gas. Aerosol generated by a vibrating element is entrained in the insufflation gas and the mixture is delivered through the trocar. The aerosol may contain a medicament. The trocar may be a conventional trocar. Such trocars are typically used for a camera. The delivery of the aerosolized medicament can occur at the start of the procedure and be delivered in bolus. At the start of the procedure, the peritoneum is being inflated by means of the flow of insufflator gas. This gas flow will help to entrain the aerosolized medicament to the pneumoperitoneum regions. The surgeon can temporarily remove the camera from the trocar port to facilitate insertion and positioning of the aerosolizing unit.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus for use in procedures involving insufflation. The apparatus includes an aerosol generator for aerosolizing a fluid into an aerosol, the aerosol generator being positioned within a generator housing and including an entrainment portion.
The aerosol generator is used with a trocar for delivery of the aerosol. The trocar comprises a trocar housing to which the aerosol generator is mounted, and the trocar has an entry port for an insufflation gas and a distal end through which the aerosol is delivered, with an aerosol delivery tube extending from the entrainment portion and into the trocar housing.
The insufflation gas is entrained with the aerosol in the entrainment portion of the generator housing. A space between a radially external wall of the aerosol delivery tube and a radially internal wall of the trocar housing defines an insufflation gas flow channel therebetween, so that entrained aerosol and insufflation gas are delivered through the trocar.
Further embodiments define structural relationships between the aerosol delivery tube and the trocar and generator components. In particular, the aerosol delivery tube can include a central longitudinal axis that is coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the distal end of the trocar and a center of a vibratable member, and the apparatus can include an inner tube coupled to the aerosol generator with a distal end spaced from a proximal end of the aerosol delivery tube.
Claims Coverage
The provided material includes four independent claims. Each independent claim specifies a trocar-mounted aerosol generator apparatus for insufflation delivery, with core inventive structure centered on how aerosol and insufflation gas are entrained and delivered through a trocar with defined flow paths and/or tube-to-trocar geometry.
Trocar-mounted generator with entrainment portion
An aerosol generator for aerosolizing a fluid into an aerosol is positioned within a generator housing including an entrainment portion, and is mounted to a trocar housing.
Entrained insufflation gas with aerosol in generator housing
An aerosol delivery tube extending from the entrainment portion and into the trocar housing entrains insufflation gas with the aerosol in the entrainment portion of the generator housing.
Radial gap defines insufflation gas flow channel
A space between a radially external wall of the aerosol delivery tube and a radially internal wall of the trocar housing defines an insufflation gas flow channel therebetween.
Coaxial alignment of tube, trocar distal end, and vibratable member center
A central longitudinal axis of the aerosol delivery tube is coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the distal end of the trocar and a center of the vibratable member.
Inner tube distal end spaced from aerosol delivery tube proximal end
An inner tube is coupled to the aerosol generator, wherein the inner tube has a distal end spaced from a proximal end of the aerosol delivery tube.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a trocar housing mounted aerosol generator with an entrainment portion that entrains insufflation gas with aerosol, an aerosol delivery tube into the trocar housing that creates a defined insufflation gas flow channel via a radial space, and additional geometry and structural relationships such as coaxial alignment and an inner tube with spaced ends.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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