Method for providing access for a surgical procedure
Inventors
ZITNICK, David Allen • FARIA, Leonard • GAIDOS, Dustin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11045219-B2
Publication Date
2021-06-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus and method for providing surgical access to a body cavity of a living animal through an access port inserted in a wall of the body cavity is disclosed. The apparatus includes a collapsible volume having an opening for sealingly receiving a surgical apparatus. The apparatus also includes an access coupler disposed at a distal end of the collapsible volume, the access coupler being operably configured to sealingly couple to an opening in the access port placing the collapsible volume in fluid communication with the body cavity. The collapsible volume is operably configured to collapse to permit the surgical apparatus to be inserted through the access coupler into the body cavity.
Core Innovation
The invention provides surgical access to a body cavity of a patient through an access port by engaging the access port to an entry point into the body cavity. A collapsible volume receives a surgical apparatus through an opening in the collapsible volume, and an access coupler of the collapsible volume is coupled to an opening in the access port such that the collapsible volume is placed in fluid communication with the body cavity.
After coupling the access coupler to the opening in the access port, the collapsible volume collapses such that at least a portion of the surgical apparatus is configured to be inserted through the access coupler and into the body cavity. The access port includes an access valve that is closed when the access coupler is not coupled to the opening, and opened when the access coupler is coupled to displace a sealing element.
The collapsible volume supports insertion and alignment by allowing lateral movement of the surgical apparatus relative to an access coupler. In configurations, the collapsible volume includes a flexible sleeve or bellowed conduit and may include a transparent portion to allow visualization of a portion of the surgical apparatus during insertion. The access port and collapsible volume arrangement accommodates routing of electrical signal lines, optical signal lines, power lines, and wash tubes into the body cavity.
An alternative access port configuration uses a valve conduit inserted through a gel seal, followed by coupling the valve conduit to the collapsible access volume. The valve conduit is installed with an obturator and the gel seal rim forms sealing around the valve conduit to establish access through fluid communication with the body cavity.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent method claims. Across these independent claims, the main inventive features cover coupling a collapsible volume to an access port opening to place the collapsible volume in fluid communication with a body cavity and collapsing the collapsible volume to insert at least a portion of a surgical apparatus through an access coupler into the body cavity. The second independent claim additionally specifies an access port with a closed access valve and separate inlet and outlet for insufflation and expelling fluid.
Collapsible volume coupled to an access port for fluid communication
Coupling an access coupler of the collapsible volume to an opening in the access port such that the collapsible volume is placed in fluid communication with the body cavity.
Collapsible volume collapse to insert the surgical apparatus through the access coupler
Causing the collapsible volume to collapse such that at least a portion of the surgical apparatus is configured to be inserted through the access coupler and into the body cavity.
Receiving the surgical apparatus through an opening in the collapsible volume
Receiving a surgical apparatus through an opening in a collapsible volume.
Access valve closes when the access coupler is not coupled
An access valve configured to close the opening in the access port when the access coupler is not coupled to the opening.
Separate inlet for insufflation and separate outlet for expelling fluid
An inlet being separate from the opening, the inlet being configured to receive fluid to insufflate at least a portion of the body cavity; and an outlet being separate from the opening, the outlet being configured to receive fluid to expel fluid out of the body cavity.
Overall, the independent claims focus on a collapsible volume that is received with the surgical apparatus, coupled via an access coupler to an access port opening for fluid communication with the body cavity, and then collapsed to permit insertion into the cavity, with the second independent claim further defining the access port as having a closed access valve plus separate inlet and outlet for insufflation and expelling fluid.
Stated Advantages
Enables surgical access to a body cavity through an access port by placing the collapsible volume in fluid communication with the body cavity and collapsing the collapsible volume to permit insertion of at least a portion of a surgical apparatus into the body cavity.
Provides an access port access valve that closes the opening when the access coupler is not coupled to the opening.
Supports visualization through transparent material of a portion of the surgical apparatus during insertion.
Accommodates viewing and visualization while allowing lateral movement for alignment of the surgical apparatus relative to an access coupler.
Enables routing of electrical signal lines, optical signal lines, power lines, and wash tubes into the body cavity.
Documented Applications
Surgical access to a body cavity of a patient via an access port, where the surgical apparatus can include a robotic system including a camera, illumination source, wash tube, and/or a bore for a laparoscopic instrument.
Lens cleaning via a wash tube for cleaning a camera lens at a distal end of the surgical apparatus.
Visualization of a portion of the surgical apparatus as it is inserted through the access coupler and into the body cavity using a transparent portion of a flexible sleeve.
Establishing access using an alternative access port configuration with a valve conduit inserted through a gel seal and coupled to a collapsible access volume.
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