Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110190592 | BLADELESS OPTICAL OBTURATOR - The invention is directed to a bladeless trocar obturator to separate or divaricate body tissue during insertion through a body wall. In one aspect, the obturator of the invention comprises a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft and having a generally tapered configuration with an outer surface, the outer surface extending distally to a blunt point with a pair of side sections having a common shape and being separated by at least one intermediate section, wherein each of the side sections extends from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis, and the shaft is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument having a distal end to receive an image of the body tissue. With this aspect, the tapered configuration facilitates separation of different layers of the body tissue and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers. The side sections include a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the side sections being twisted radially with respect to the proximal portion of the side sections. The intermediate section includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a first radial direction and the proximal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction. | 08-04-2011 |
20110251560 | PLEATED TROCAR SHIELD - A surgical access device or trocar defines an access channel for instruments extending from a proximal end to the distal end thereof. The trocar comprises a cannula and a seal assembly disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The seal assembly comprises a first or zero seal, a second or instrument seal, and a trocar shield disposed proximally of the first seal and the second seal. The first seal seals the access channel in the absence of an instrument extending therethrough. The second seal seals the access channel in the presence of an instrument extending therethrough. The trocar shield protects the first seal and second seal from damage as an instrument is advanced through the access channel. The trocar shield comprises an open proximal end and a tapered distal end comprising a plurality of longitudinal pleats, converging in an opening. | 10-13-2011 |
20110316190 | SURGICAL DEVICE WITH TACK-FREE GEL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A process of making a tack-free gel is disclosed comprising the steps of providing a mold defining a mold cavity, the mold cavity comprising a plastic material; pouring or injecting a molten gel having a high molding temperature into the mold cavity; and forming the tack-free gel as a thin layer of plastic of the mold cavity is melted over the gel. The forming step further comprises cooling the gel from the molten state to a solidified state. The melting temperature of the plastic material is lower than the molding temperature of the gel; and the higher the temperature differential, the greater the melting of the plastic material and the thicker the layer of the plastic material on the surface of the gel. The mold may be formed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). | 12-29-2011 |
20120123202 | INSUFFLATING OPTICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - An insufflating surgical instrument adapted for movement across an abdominal wall to insufflate an abdominal region of a patient is disclosed. The instrument comprises a shaft having an insufflation channel extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the insufflation channel being adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure at the proximal end. A tip is at the distal end and a vent hole is formed in the tip being in connection with the insufflation channel and adapted to expel fluid under pressure to insufflate the abdominal region. The tip is formed of a transparent material to facilitate visualization of the abdominal wall and region. The shaft includes a lumen extending along the axis between the proximal end and the distal end to enable insertion of a laparoscope. The lumen and insufflation channel may be formed as separate channels or as one shared channel. | 05-17-2012 |
20120179001 | ACCESS SEALING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A surgical access device includes a seal housing and a roller disposed in the housing and defining a working channel. The roller may be stationary or movable within the seal housing to form both a zero seal in the absence of an instrument, and an instrument seal in the presence of an instrument. Rotation of the roller is contemplated and low-friction surfaces are discussed to reduce instrument insertion forces. Multiple rollers, wiper elements, low-friction braid, pivoting elements and idler rollers are contemplated. The rollers will typically be formed of a gel material in order to facilitate the desired compliance, stretchability and elongation desired. | 07-12-2012 |
20120316501 | PLEATED TROCAR SHIELD - A surgical access device or trocar defines an access channel for instruments extending from a proximal end to the distal end thereof. The trocar comprises a cannula and a seal assembly disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The seal assembly comprises a first or zero seal, a second or instrument seal, and a trocar shield disposed proximally of the first seal and the second seal. The first seal seals the access channel in the absence of an instrument extending therethrough. The second seal seals the access channel in the presence of an instrument extending therethrough. The trocar shield protects the first seal and second seal from damage as an instrument is advanced through the access channel. The trocar shield comprises an open proximal end and a tapered distal end comprising a plurality of longitudinal pleats, converging in an opening. | 12-13-2012 |
20120316595 | BLADELESS OPTICAL OBTURATOR - A surgical access device comprising a tissue separating obturator suitable for connection with a cannula is disclosed. The obturator includes an elongate shaft having a transparent distal tip. The elongate shaft extends along a longitudinal axis and defines a lumen. The transparent distal tip has a tapered configuration and includes an inner surface and an outer surface adapted for penetrating tissue. The lumen is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument such as a laparoscope. The surgical access device further includes a scope lock at the proximal end of the shaft portion. The lock includes a multi-fingered collet coaxial with the lumen. The inner diameter of the collet is smaller than an outer diameter of the optical instrument and the fingers of the collet provide frictional engagement with the outer diameter of the optical instrument that is inserted into the lumen of the obturator. | 12-13-2012 |
20130217973 | WOUND RETRACTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A surgical wound retractor is adapted to dilate a wound stretchable to a desired diameter through body cavities of varying thicknesses. 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 having a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and is adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound, and a sheath disposed between the two rings. Optionally, the second ring may be detachably attached to the sheath to adapt the retractor to body cavities of varying thickness. Additional rings may be disposed along the sheath to provide for adjustment of the distance between the first and second rings. The retractor may also include an expandable foam annulus that can adjust the distance between the first and second rings. | 08-22-2013 |
20130237902 | SURGICAL ACCESS PORT - A surgical access port or trocar is provided. The trocar has a trocar seal housing and a trocar cannula with an optical obturator insertable through the trocar seal housing and the trocar cannula. The trocar is configured to access a body cavity, to maintain positive pressure and to prevent loss of surgical insufflation gas used in laparoscopic procedures. The trocar seal housing can be releasably attached to the trocar cannula. The trocar seal housing may also have a shield and/or alignment channel that provide protection or assist in operation of instrument and zero seals housed in the trocar seal housing. | 09-12-2013 |
20130303848 | FIRST-ENTRY TROCAR SYSTEM - A surgical access system comprises a trocar, an insufflating optical obturator slidably insertable into the trocar, and a laparoscope slidably insertable into the obturator. A distal end of the obturator comprises a tip, at least a portion of which comprises a wall with a generally uniform thickness comprising a transparent material. At least one vent hole disposed at the obturator tip is fluidly connected to a gas flow channel defined by an interior surface of the obturator and the laparoscope, which is fluidly connected to an insufflation gas inlet disposed at a proximal end of the trocar. Improved optical characteristics of the trocar system permit precise and accurate visual placement thereof into a body cavity. Accordingly the access system is suitable as a first entry surgical access system. Embodiments of the trocar access are also useful for drug delivery, and/or for fluid and/or tissue aspiration. | 11-14-2013 |
20130324912 | FIRST-ENTRY TROCAR SYSTEM - A surgical access system comprises a trocar, an insufflating optical obturator slidably insertable into the trocar, and a laparoscope slidably insertable into the obturator. A distal end of the obturator comprises a tip, at least a portion of which comprises a wall with a generally uniform thickness comprising a transparent material. At least one vent hole disposed at the obturator tip is fluidly connected to a gas flow channel defined by an interior surface of the obturator and the laparoscope, which is fluidly connected to an insufflation gas inlet disposed at a proximal end of the trocar. Improved optical characteristics of the trocar system permit precise and accurate visual placement thereof into a body cavity. Accordingly the access system is suitable as a first entry surgical access system. Embodiments of the trocar access are also useful for drug delivery, and/or for fluid and/or tissue aspiration. | 12-05-2013 |
20130331731 | VISUAL INSUFFLATION PORT - A visual insufflation obturator is provided. The obturator includes seals, valves, screens and/or various other tip features to eliminate the ingress of fluids, matter and/or gas that can disrupt the visual field of the laparoscope disposed within the obturator. The obturator provides additional features such as lens and anti-fog features to further increase visibility of the scope, efficiently insufflate the patient and ultimately provide an access channel into the insufflated abdomen once the visual insufflation obturator is removed. | 12-12-2013 |
20140074016 | BLADELESS OPTICAL OBTURATOR - The invention is directed to a bladeless trocar obturator to separate or divaricate body tissue during insertion through a body wall. In one aspect, the obturator of the invention comprises a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft and having a generally tapered configuration with an outer surface, the outer surface extending distally to a blunt point with a pair of side sections having a common shape and being separated by at least one intermediate section, wherein each of the side sections extends from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis, and the shaft is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument having a distal end to receive an image of the body tissue. With this aspect, the tapered configuration facilitates separation of different layers of the body tissue and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers. The side sections include a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the side sections being twisted radially with respect to the proximal portion of the side sections. The intermediate section includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a first radial direction and the proximal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction. | 03-13-2014 |
20140100601 | Overmolded Grasper Jaw - A surgical instrument can comprise an elongate tube including a camming rod and an actuation mechanism operably connected to the camming rod; a first jaw spine having a first cam slot; and a second jaw spine having a second cam slot, the second jaw spine pivotally connected to the first jaw spine at a common pivot pin connected to the elongate tube. A camming pin rides along first and second interior camming surfaces and closes the jaw spines when the camming rod moves proximally. When the camming rod moves distally, a camming projection rides on first and second exterior camming surfaces on proximal sides of the first and second jaw spines and opens the jaw spines. One camming surface on each jaw spine facilitates closing the jaw spines while the other camming surface on each jaw spine facilitates opening the jaw spines. These two camming surfaces can be widely separated. | 04-10-2014 |
20140121695 | BLUNT TIP OBTURATOR - A surgical obturator comprising an elongate shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end includes a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The tip has a blunt point and a pair of shorter side surfaces separated by a relatively longer pair of opposing surfaces to form in radial cross-section a geometric shape that has a longer length and relatively narrower width. The side surfaces and opposing surfaces terminate in end surfaces located proximally from the blunt point. The end surfaces extend radially outwardly from opposite locations of the outer surface. A conical surface facilitates initial insertion of the obturator and the geometric shape facilitates separation of consecutive layers of muscle tissue having fibers oriented in different directions and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers of muscle. | 05-01-2014 |
20140249541 | TISSUE RETRIEVAL SYSTEM - The tissue retrieval system deploys a tissue bag at the surgical site. The bag is supported by the system as tissue is placed within the bag and is closed to isolate the collected tissue and allow the bag and collected tissue to be removed from the body. The bag can be reopened and re-closed as desired through use of a guide bead and cord. The bead also facilitates removal of the collected tissue. | 09-04-2014 |
20150018626 | ACCESS SEALING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A surgical access device includes a seal housing and a roller disposed in the housing and defining a working channel. The roller may be stationary or moveable within the seal housing to form both a zero seal in the absence of an instrument, and an instrument seal in the presence of an instrument. Rotation of the roller is contemplated and low-friction surfaces are discussed to reduce instrument insertion forces. Multiple rollers, wiper elements, low-friction braid, pivoting elements and idler rollers are contemplated. The rollers will typically be formed of a gel material in order to facilitate the desired compliance, stretchability and elongation desired. | 01-15-2015 |