Abstract:
A surgical access device includes a single valve that forms a seal with the body wall and provides an access channel into a body cavity. The valve has properties for creating a zero seal in the absence of an instrument as well as an instrument seal with instruments having a full range of instrument diameter. The valve can include a gel and preferably an ultragel comprised of an elastomer and an oil providing elongation greater than 1000 percent and durometer less than 5 Shore A. The single valve can be used as a hand port where the instrument comprises the arm of a surgeon, thereby providing hand access into the cavity.A method for making the surgical access device includes the combining of a gelling agent with an oil, preferably in a molding process. A method for using the device includes steps for creating an opening with the instrument. In a particular process, an organ can be removed from the body cavity through the single valve to create an organ seal while the organ is addressed externally of the body cavity. The valve and method are particularly adapted for laparoscopic surgery wherein the abdominal cavity is insufflated with a gas thereby requiring the zero seal, the instrument seal, and the organ seal in various procedures.
Abstract:
A surgical access device includes a single valve forming a seal with the body wall and providing an access channel into a body cavity. The valve has properties for creating a zero-seal in the absence of an instrument and an instrument seal with instruments. The valve can include a gel comprised of an elastomer and oil providing elongation greater than 1000 percent and durometer less than 5 Shore A. The single valve can be used as a hand port where the instrument comprises the arm of a surgeon. A method for making the surgical access device includes combining a gelling agent with oil, preferably in a molding process. A method for using the device includes creating an opening with the instrument. An organ can be removed from the body cavity through the single valve to create an organ seal while the organ is addressed externally of the body cavity.
Abstract:
A surgical wound retractor is adapted to dilate a wound stretchable to a desired diameter, the retractor includes a first ring having a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and being adapted for disposition interiorly of the wound. A second ring has a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and is adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound. A plurality of retraction elements are disposed in a generally cylindrical relationship to each other, between the first ring and the second ring. These elements extend through the wound to exert a radial retraction force on the wound which is dependent on the distance separating the first ring and the second ring Retraction elements, both distensible and non-distensible are contemplated with appropriate attachment means at the rings to provide for variations in the retraction force. With a suitable retraction sleeve, a third ring can be provided to form a circumferential retainer to vary the retraction force. Rings can also be made inflatable or self-expanding to vary the retraction force. An associated method includes the step of rolling the second ring circumferentially of the third ring to form the circumferential retainer.
Abstract:
A pneumatic tissue dissector 10 useful for cutting or dissecting living tissue during endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures includes a dissector tip 16 for exuding a flow of pressurized gas, an inlet arrangement 24 for controlling the flow of gas from the tip 16, and an exhaust system 30 for exhausting the gas exuded from the tip 16. The exhaust system includes an inlet 32 adjacent to the tip 16 and an outlet spaced from the inlet 32. The outlet 34 is operable in coordination with the inlet arrangement 24 and is capable of exhausting a flow of gas about equal to that exuded by the tip 16, ensuring that the pressure in the cavity in which the procedure is performed does not increase or fluctuate. The flow of pressurized gas from the tip 16 is preferably compatible with an insufflation cavity pressure of no more than about 15 mm Hg, and the inlet arrangement 24 preferably supplies gas to the tip 16 at a pressure of no more than about 50 psi. The dissector 10 preferably further includes a laparoscopic introducer sheath 68 which is shorter in length than the distance between the inlet 32 and the outlet 34.
Abstract:
A surgical trocar access sheath having a laterally expandable retention mechanism for percutaneous insertion through a body cavity wall. The expandable retention mechanism is positioned about the distal end of the sheath for retaining the access sheath within the body cavity. The access sheath has an inner elongated member cannula and an outer elongated member tube having a slick surface for ready insertion through a puncture site. The laterally expandable retention mechanism includes a plurality of strips extending and formed longitudinally in the outer tube. The retention mechanism has an expanded state and a retracted state. In the expanded state, the longitudinal strips extend radially from the outer elongated member tube to engage the interior surface of the body cavity wall. The expandable retention mechanism is actuated by sliding an actuating mechanism hub attached to the distal end of the outer elongated member tube against another hub fixedly attached to the inner elongated member cannula. To insert or retract the access sheath through the cavity wall of a patient, the physician squeezes the actuating mechanism hub against the fixed hub to collapse the longitudinal strips against the surface of the inner elongated member cannula. Once inserted, the actuating mechanism is released to expand the retention mechanism.
Abstract:
A surgical tissue bag for percutaneously debulking large volumes of tissue contained within the bag. The tissue bag comprises two layers of material, an inner layer of a puncture-resistant material and an outer layer of moisture-proof material for containing cells and fluid therein. The bag material is foldable and flexible for insertion through an access sheath into the surgical site and for forming a gas-tight seal when extended through the access sheath or puncture site. A drawstring is attached to the open end of the bag to close the bag when the tissue is contained therein and pulled through the puncture site in the outer surface of the skin. After the closed open end of the bag is pulled through the puncture site, the closed end is fanned out against the outer layer of the skin, and a morcellator is inserted into the bag for debulking the large volume of tissue. The open end of the bag is continually fanned out to maintain a compact and tight containment of the tissue and fluid remaining in the bag. The morcellation process is continued until the entire volume of tissue is removed at which time the remaining portion of the bag is completely removed from the surgical site area.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a surgical access system that provides access to a surgical area while maintaining pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery. The access system comprises a sheath retractor adapted to dilate a wound stretchable to a desired diameter and a detachable seal adapted to be removable from the sheath retractor. In another aspect, the detachable seal comprising a valve including a plurality of overlapping sheets defining an access channel that extends into communication with the incision in the patient. Each of the overlapping sheets includes a portion of the perimeter that is not fixed to the inner diameter of the ring, which provide open edges defining the access channel.
Abstract:
Devices, methods, and systems provide a surgical access device comprising an internal retractor device integrated with or coupled to a body wall or wound retractor. The wound retractor retracts an opening in a body wall into a body cavity, while the internal retractor permits a user to control the positions of internal structures within the body cavity, thereby permitting a user to define a surgical field. Embodiments of the internal retractor are adjustable.
Abstract:
A tissue welding apparatus is adapted to fuse a first piece of tissue to a second piece of tissue which are disposed in a surface proximate relationship. An elongate shaft carries a first jaw, and a second opposing jaw moveable relative to the first jaw. At least one penetrating member is carried by the first jaw and moveable relative to the second jaw to create a channel through the first piece of material and the second piece of material. A source of heat is coupled to the penetrating member for denaturing the tissue defining the channel. This denatured tissue forms a column binding the first piece of tissue to the second piece of tissue. A chemical agent can be carried to the tissue with the penetrating member.
Abstract:
A device includes an access port adapted to permit access of at least one surgical instrument into a patient. The access port includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion monolithically formed of a flexible material. At least one opening extends through the access port. The proximal portion includes a proximal flange. The distal portion includes a distal flange. The intermediate portion includes an outer surface and at least one inner surface. The access port is adapted to form a perimeter seal when the proximal flange is disposed exteriorly and the distal flange is disposed interiorly. The access port is adapted to form a seal with the at least one surgical instrument positioned through the access port. The intermediate portion conforms to the surface of the surgical instrument positioned through the at least one opening and forms the seal between the inner surface and the surgical instrument.