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Assignees
MemberWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia University is a public R1 research institution offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs across science, engineering, business, creative arts, and media. The university emphasizes experiential learning, research, and innovation, with notable strengths in academic program development, research excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to affordability, career readiness, and student success. WVU supports a vibrant campus environment, industry partnerships, and impactful scholarship, preparing students for careers through hands-on education, research, and applied learning.
West Virginia University is a public R1 research institution offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs across science, engineering, business, creative arts, and media. The university emphasizes experiential learning, research, and innovation, with notable strengths in academic program development, research excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to affordability, career readiness, and student success. WVU supports a vibrant campus environment, industry partnerships, and impactful scholarship, preparing students for careers through hands-on education, research, and applied learning.
Publication Number
US-12167939-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed are various embodiments for improved surgical devices and methods of using the same in connection with bariatric and gastroesophageal surgery. The present disclosure includes a lighted bougie device that can include an elongate member and a light source. The light source can be configured to emit near-infrared light. The light source can also be positioned about the bougie such that light emitted from the light source illuminates along a portion of the bougie.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a lighted device for use in a surgical procedure that includes an elongate member with a distal end for insertion into an operative field and a proximal end, and a handle coupled to the proximal end. The handle has a larger exterior diameter than an exterior diameter of the elongate member. The elongate member carries a plurality of light sources disposed along the elongate member and configured to emit light in a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range.
The light sources are disposed along at least 50% of the elongate member, and the emitted light in the first wavelength range can transmit through one or more first tissues of a patient but cannot transmit through one or more second tissues. In contrast, the light emitted in the second wavelength range can transmit through both the one or more first tissues and the one or more second tissues. Respective light sources in at least a subset are located at corresponding distances relative to the distal end, with adjacent light sources spaced apart at a predetermined interval along the length direction.
By providing known spacing and wavelength-dependent transmission through different tissues, the device allows a user to locate light sources on the elongate member in the operative field by detecting light emitted in the first and second wavelength ranges. The detected transmitted light supports using the elongate member and the located light sources as a ruler for one or more intraoperative measurements. The disclosed embodiments further relate to using near-infrared guided visualization to determine bougie location without ICG dye and to reduce bougie-related injuries while improving consistency of gastric sleeve and pouch construction.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes one independent claim directed to a lighted surgical device having an elongate member with wavelength-dependent light transmission and spaced light sources usable for locating and intraoperative measurement. The claim includes multiple main inventive features controlling the tissue-specific transmission behavior across two wavelength ranges, the spatial arrangement of the light sources, and the resulting ability to use the device as a ruler for intraoperative measurements.
Lighted device with elongate member and handle size relationship
An elongate member having a distal end for inserting into an operative field and a proximal end, and a handle coupled to the proximal end, where the handle has a larger exterior diameter than an exterior diameter of the elongate member.
Two wavelength ranges with tissue-specific transmissivity
A plurality of light sources disposed along the elongate member and configured to emit light in a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range, where light in the first wavelength range transmits through one or more first tissues but unable to transmit through one or more second tissues, and light in the second wavelength range transmits through both the one or more first tissues and the one or more second tissues.
Spaced light sources for localization and ruler-based intraoperative measurements
The plurality of light sources is disposed along at least 50% of the elongate member, with each respective light source in at least a subset located at a corresponding distance relative to the distal end and adjacent light sources spaced apart along a length direction at a predetermined interval, thereby allowing a user to locate light sources in the operative field and use the elongate member and the located light sources as a ruler for one or more intraoperative measurements by detecting transmitted light.
Optional arrangement for external detection and gastrointestinal operative field
A configuration in which the light emitted by the plurality of light sources is detectable by a camera positioned outside the gastrointestinal tract, where the operative field is a patient’s gastrointestinal tract.
Across the independent claim, the core coverage is directed to a wavelength-selective lighted elongate surgical device with two wavelength ranges having different tissue transmission behaviors, where spaced light sources at known distances enable localization and ruler-based intraoperative measurement using detected transmitted light.
Stated Advantages
Allows a user to locate light sources on the elongate member in the operative field of the patient.
Enables use of the elongate member and the located light sources as a ruler for one or more intraoperative measurements.
Near-infrared guided visualization can determine bougie location without ICG dye.
Can reduce bougie-related injuries and improve consistency of gastric sleeve and pouch construction.
Documented Applications
Near-infrared guided visualization for determining bougie location in bariatric and gastroesophageal surgery without ICG dye, including use despite variable tissue thickness.
Intraoperative measurement tasks during laparoscopic or robotic procedures, including measuring lengths and distances for Heller myotomy and hiatal hernia repair, measuring gastric pouch or sleeve length in gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, and localizing gastric and lower esophageal tumors.
Laparoscopic/robotic intraoperative measurements using spaced light sources and/or length markings/indicia enabled by detecting transmitted light in the operative field.
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