Laparoscopic surgical device
Inventors
Keating, Ronan • Rabbitte, Gerard • Russell, Barry • O'Rorke, Suzanne
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9492072-B2
Publication Date
2016-11-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A laparoscopic surgical device comprising an anchor element comprising a pair of jaws defining a mouth within which at least a portion of an organ or tissue may be grasped is described. The jaws are biased towards one another so as to normally adopt a closed configuration. The anchor element is coupled to a support member, the support member being moveable about the anchor element. The device is dimensioned to be operably passed fully through a trocar into the abdominal cavity wherein it may be manipulated by a surgeon or other operator to grasp the desired target organ or tissue.
Core Innovation
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device is provided having an insertion configuration and an operational configuration in which the device is collapsible such that the dimensions of the device can be reduced to allow complete insertion through a trocar or cannula into an internal abdominal cavity, followed by expansion to adopt the operational configuration. The device includes a support member coupled to an anchor element, and the anchor element comprises a pair of jaws defining a mouth within which at least a portion of an organ or tissue may be grasped, with the jaws biased towards one another.
In the operational configuration, the anchor element provides for internal anchoring of the device at a predetermined position within the abdominal cavity. The support member is moveable about the anchor element to contact with and lift a desired organ to a retracted position, and the expansion of the device is effected by unfurling the support member to an extended configuration. The device includes an air inlet and balloon to provide for assisting in expansion of the support member, and shape memory material contacts the support member such that, on adoption of the operational configuration, the support member biases to adopt an expanded configuration.
Related embodiments define the support member and anchor jaw geometry further. A first jaw comprises a first and a second segment angularly offset from one another, and in some configurations the first and second segments and a portion of the second jaw are arranged relative to one another to define an acute triangle. In other configurations, the first jaw further includes a third segment provided at an end portion of the second segment to define an atraumatic tip of the first jaw.
Additional structural features relate to how the support member is secured and shaped in the operational configuration. The shape memory material comprises a plurality of distinct elements arranged as ribs within the support member, the support member may include a web of material having a region of weakness adjacent to coupling to the anchor, and the device may further include at least one finger pivotably coupled to the anchor, where finger pivoting affects extension of the web relative to the anchor element.
Claims Coverage
Independent claims explicitly cover a collapsible-to-expanded laparoscopic retraction device with an internal anchor and a moveable support member that lifts an organ, with variations emphasizing balloon-assisted expansion, shape memory rib-biasing, angularly offset jaw segment geometry, atraumatic tip definition, web preferential separation via a region of weakness, and finger-assisted extension of a support web. One independent claim also covers a method of moving an organ during laparoscopic surgery using the device and fixing/unfixing the device to maintain and release retraction.
Collapsible insertion with balloon-assisted unfurling expansion for internal anchoring and lifting
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device with an insertion configuration collapsible for complete insertion through a trocar or cannula into an internal abdominal cavity and an operational configuration expanded to provide internal anchoring at a predetermined position, wherein the support member is moveable about the anchor element to contact with and lift a desired organ to a retracted position, the expansion is effected by unfurling the support member to an extended configuration, and the device includes an air inlet and balloon to provide for assisting in expansion of the support member.
Shape memory rib biasing of the expanded support member
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device having a collapsible insertion configuration for insertion through a trocar or cannula into an internal abdominal cavity and an operational configuration in which the anchor element provides internal anchoring at a predetermined position and the support member is moveable about the anchor element to contact with and lift a desired organ to a retracted position, further comprising shape memory material that contacts the support member such that, on adoption of the operational configuration, biases the support member to adopt an expanded configuration, wherein the shape memory material comprises a plurality of distinct elements arranged as ribs within the support member.
Angularly offset jaw segments with segment-direction relationship
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device with an operational configuration providing internal anchoring at a predetermined position and a support member moveable about the anchor element to contact with and lift a desired organ to a retracted position, wherein a first jaw comprises a first and a second segment angularly offset from one another, and wherein the first segment extends away from the second jaw and the second segment extends towards the second jaw.
Atraumatic tip of the first jaw defined by a third segment
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device having an anchor element with a pair of jaws defining a mouth and biased towards one another, wherein a first jaw comprises a first and a second segment angularly offset from one another, wherein the operational configuration provides internal anchoring and the support member is moveable about the anchor element to contact with and lift a desired organ to a retracted position, and wherein the first jaw comprises a third segment provided at an end portion of the second segment that defines an atraumatic tip of the first jaw.
Acute triangle geometry formed by angularly offset segments
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device in which the first jaw comprises a first and a second segment angularly offset from one another and, in the operational configuration, the support member is moveable about the anchor element to contact with and lift a desired organ to a retracted position, wherein the first and second segments of the first jaw and a portion of the second jaw are arranged relative to one another to define an acute triangle.
Web of material with region of weakness providing preferential separation
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device having a support member coupled to an anchor element and moveable about the anchor element to contact with and lift a desired organ to a retracted position, wherein the support member comprises a web of material having a region of weakness adjacent to its coupling to the anchor, the region of weakness operably providing a preferential separation of the web from the anchor in a location adjacent to the region of weakness.
Pivotable support member about a coupling location to secure tissue within the support member
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device with internal anchoring by an anchor element at a predetermined position within the abdominal cavity and a support member moveable about the anchor element to contact with and lift a desired organ to a retracted position, wherein the support member is coupled to the anchor element at a first location and may be pivoted about that first location to secure a body organ or tissue within the support member.
Method of laparoscopic organ movement using insertion, jaw grasping, movement, fixing, and removal
A method of moving an organ or tissue within an abdominal cavity during laparoscopic surgery, comprising providing a laparoscopic surgical retraction device with a collapsible insertion configuration for complete insertion through a trocar or cannula into an internal abdominal cavity and an operational configuration expanded to adopt, disposing that device through a trocar or cannula into the abdominal cavity, placing a leading edge under the organ or tissue being retracted, biasing the jaws open using, for example, a laparoscopic grasper or forceps and then removing the biasing force such that the jaws grasp the organ or tissue within the mouth of the device, moving the device to effect a corresponding movement of the grasped organ or tissue, fixing the device internally or externally to maintain retraction, and unfixing and removing the device from the inner abdominal cavity.
Finger pivotably coupled to the anchor in a region proximal to the mouth
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device wherein, in addition to an anchor element with a pair of jaws and a support member moveable about the anchor element to contact with and lift a desired organ to a retracted position, the device further comprises at least one finger pivotably coupled to the anchor element, and wherein at least one finger is pivotably coupled to the anchor element in a region proximal to the mouth of the anchor element.
Multiple fingers pivotably coupled with different pivot amounts
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device further comprising a plurality of fingers pivotably coupled to the anchor element, wherein individual ones of the fingers are pivotable through different amounts to others of the fingers, and wherein, in the operational configuration, the anchor element provides for internal anchoring at a predetermined position and the support member is moveable about the anchor element to contact with and lift a desired organ to a retracted position.
Finger defines the support member with pivotable finger coupling
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device in which the device further comprises at least one finger pivotably coupled to the anchor element, and wherein at least one finger defines the support member.
Finger pivoting extends a web of material relative to the anchor
A laparoscopic surgical retraction device in which the device further comprises at least one finger pivotably coupled to the anchor element, and wherein the support member comprises a web of material, at least one finger being coupled to the web, such that pivoting of at least one finger effecting an extension of the web relative to the anchor element.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a collapsible laparoscopic retraction device that inserts through a trocar or cannula and expands for internal anchoring at a predetermined abdominal position, where a support member is moveable about the anchor to contact with and lift an organ to a retracted position. Variations define specific mechanisms and structures including balloon-assisted unfurling expansion, shape memory material biasing as rib elements, angularly offset jaw segment geometry, acute triangle arrangement, atraumatic tip via a third segment, web material with preferential separation by a region of weakness, and finger-pivoting that couples to and extends the support web.
Stated Advantages
Assisting expansion of the support member using an air inlet and balloon.
Achieving necessary lift of a desired organ by expansion of the support member to an extended configuration.
Biasing the support member to adopt an expanded configuration on adoption of the operational configuration using shape memory material.
Operably providing preferential separation of the web from the anchor at a region of weakness.
Securing a body organ or tissue within the support member by pivoting the support member about a coupling location.
Effecting extension of the web relative to the anchor element by pivoting at least one finger.
Documented Applications
Moving an organ or tissue within an abdominal cavity during laparoscopic surgery by using the described laparoscopic surgical retraction device.
Laparoscopic colon or large bowel procedures are described as an intended application for the device.
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