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Publication Number
US-10888674-B2
Publication Date
2021-01-12
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 that aerosolizes a fluid into an aerosol and delivers the aerosol during insufflation. The apparatus includes an aerosol generator comprising a vibratable member and a vibration generating element coupled to the vibratable member via a washer, and a generator housing including a fluid supply, a neck depending distally from the fluid supply, and an aerosol delivery tube.
A trocar is used for delivery of the aerosol, where the trocar comprises a trocar housing to which the aerosol generator is mounted. The trocar includes an entry port for an insufflation gas and a distal end through which the aerosol is delivered. The aerosol delivery tube extends into the trocar housing, and the aerosol delivery tube is positioned such that a proximal end is configured to receive aerosol entrained with the insufflation gas.
The apparatus further defines insufflation gas flow path characteristics to direct the insufflation gas in different directions. In one embodiment, the apparatus defines an insufflation flow path including a first portion configured to direct the insufflation gas in a first direction and a second portion configured to direct the insufflation gas in a second direction opposite the first direction. Additional structural arrangements refine how the aerosol delivery tube and insufflation gas interfaces are configured within the trocar housing, including configurations that support receiving entrained aerosol at the tube proximal end.
Claims Coverage
The provided excerpt includes three independent claims that each cover an apparatus for insufflation procedures using a trocar-mounted aerosol generator and an aerosol delivery tube extending into the trocar housing for entrained-aerosol delivery.
Vibratable aerosol generator coupled via washer and trocar-mounted delivery tube extending into trocar housing
An aerosol generator aerosolizes a fluid into an aerosol, the aerosol generator comprising a vibratable member, a vibration generating element coupled to the vibratable member via a washer, and a generator housing with a fluid supply, a neck depending distally from the fluid supply, and an aerosol delivery tube; a trocar for delivery of the aerosol has a trocar housing to which the aerosol generator is mounted, includes an entry port for an insufflation gas and a distal end through which the aerosol is delivered, and wherein the aerosol delivery tube extends into the trocar housing.
Proximal end configured to receive aerosol entrained with insufflation gas
An apparatus for use in procedures involving insufflation comprising an aerosol generator including a generator housing; a trocar for delivery of the aerosol, the trocar comprising a trocar housing to which the aerosol generator is mounted, the trocar having an entry port for an insufflation gas and a distal end through which the aerosol is delivered; and an aerosol delivery tube extending into the trocar housing, wherein the aerosol delivery tube is positioned such that a proximal end of the aerosol delivery tube is configured to receive aerosol entrained with the insufflation gas.
Opposite-direction insufflation flow path portions with entrained-aerosol delivery
An apparatus for use in procedures involving insufflation comprising an aerosol generator including a generator housing; a trocar having a trocar housing to which the aerosol generator is mounted, including an entry port for an insufflation gas and a distal end through which the aerosol is delivered; and an aerosol delivery tube extending into the trocar housing positioned such that a proximal end is configured to receive aerosol entrained with the insufflation gas, wherein the apparatus defines an insufflation flow path including a first portion configured to direct the insufflation gas in a first direction and a second portion configured to direct the insufflation gas in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage centers on an aerosol generator with a vibratable member and washer-coupled vibration generating element mounted to a trocar, with an aerosol delivery tube extending into the trocar housing and positioned so its proximal end receives aerosol entrained with the insufflation gas, with additional claim coverage specifying opposite-direction insufflation flow path portions.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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