U.S. patent application number 09/725599 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-31 for reusable laparoscopic retrieval pouchtitle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ancel Surgical R&D, Inc.. Invention is credited to Pagedas, Anthony C..
Application Number | 20010002437 09/725599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24915214 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010002437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pagedas, Anthony C. |
May 31, 2001 |
Reusable laparoscopic retrieval pouchtitle
Abstract
Various embodiments of a reusable surgical device for retrieving
a mass during laparoscopic surgery are shown and described. The
surgical device has a wand, a rod attached to the wand near the
front by a disengaging connector and extending generally parallel
to the wand, and a pouch or bag attached to the wand and rod. A
portion of the rod is flexible for bowing out from the wand when
the rod is pushed forward. The flexible portion straightens to come
close to the wand when the rod is pulled backward. The back of the
may be slidably connected to the wand. A bag suitable for
sterilizing may be attached to the rod and wand for receiving a
mass during surgery. When the rod bows out, the bag is opened. When
the rod straightens, the bag is closed to form a seal. Methods of
using the surgical device include attaching a bag, engaging the
disengaging connector, and inserting the device through a
laparoscopic sleeve for enclosure, manipulation, and retrieval of
the mass. Further steps include, removing the surgical device from
the body cavity, disengaging the disengaging connector, removing
the bag, disposing of the mass, and sterilizing the rod, wand
and/or bag. Alternatively, the wand and rod may each be comprised
of two individual coaxial sections, with each section being
arranged for disengagable, end-to-end attachment with one
another.
Inventors: |
Pagedas, Anthony C.;
(Greendale, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.C.
P.O. Box 26618
Milwaukee
WI
53226-0618
US
|
Assignee: |
Ancel Surgical R&D,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
24915214 |
Appl. No.: |
09/725599 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09725599 |
Nov 29, 2000 |
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09461317 |
Dec 15, 1999 |
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09461317 |
Dec 15, 1999 |
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09197045 |
Nov 20, 1998 |
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6059793 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/114 ;
606/110 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/30 20130101;
A61B 17/00234 20130101; A61B 2017/2924 20130101; A61B 2017/2918
20130101; A61B 2017/00287 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/114 ;
606/110 |
International
Class: |
A61B 010/00; A61B
017/50 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A surgical device comprising: an elongated wand having a front
end and a back end; an elongated rod including a handle portion
lying generally parallel to said back end of said wand, and a
flexible portion having a pivot end and a second end, said second
end connected to said handle portion; a disengaging connector
coupling said front end of said elongated wand to said pivot end of
said flexible portion; a means of slidably connecting said handle
portion to said back end of said wand; a bag coupled to said front
end and said flexible portion; and said means of slidably
connecting said handle portion to said back end of said wand
comprising a tubular collar surrounding and slidably receiving said
wand and said rod, said collar being movable from a first position
to a second position relative to said wand, the leading edge of
said collar being arranged to be located at a transition point for
the second end of said flexible portion.
2. A surgical device comprising: an elongated wand having a front
end and a back end; an elongated rod including a handle portion
lying generally parallel to said back end of said wand, and a
flexible portion having a pivot end and a second end, said second
end connected to said handle portion; a disengaging connector
coupling said front end of said elongated wand to said pivot end of
said flexible portion; a means of slidably connecting said handle
portion to said back end of said wand; a bag coupled to said front
end and said flexible portion; said means of slidably connecting
said handle portion to said back end of said wand comprising a
tubular collar surrounding and slidably receiving said wand and
said rod, said collar being movable from a first position to a
second position relative to said wand, the leading edge of said
collar being arranged to be located at a transition point for the
second end of said flexible portion; and wherein said collar
includes a longitudinally extending portion and being provided with
a longitudinal slot extending along a portion thereof; said collar
including an adjustable locking means arranged for longitudinal
movement of said collar relative to said rod.
3. The surgical device of claim 1 further comprising a manually
operated thumb loop secured to said tubular collar and arranged for
longitudinal movement of said collar in relationship to said
elongated rod.
4. The surgical device of claim 2 further comprising a manually
operated thumb loop secured to said tubular collar and arranged for
longitudinal movement of said collar in relationship to said
elongated rod.
5. In a surgical device having an elongated wand having a front end
and a back end, an elongated rod including a handle portion lying
generally parallel to said back end of said wand, and a flexible
portion having a pivot end and a second end, said second end
connected to said handle portion; a disengaging connector coupling
said front end of said elongated wand to said pivot end of said
flexible portion; a means of slidably connecting said handle
portion to said back end of said wand; a bag coupled to said front
end and said flexible portion; the improvement comprising: a
tubular collar surrounding and slidably receiving said wand and
said rod, said collar being movable from a first position to a
second position relative to said wand, the leading edge of said
collar being arranged to be located at a transition point for the
second end of said flexible portion.
6. In a surgical device having an elongated wand having a front end
and a back end, an elongated rod including a handle portion lying
generally parallel to said back end of said wand, and a flexible
portion having a pivot end and a second end, said second end
connected to said handle portion; a disengaging connector coupling
said front end of said elongated wand to said pivot end of said
flexible portion; a means of slidably connecting said handle
portion to said back end of said wand; a bag coupled to said front
end and said flexible portion; a tubular collar surrounding and
slidably receiving said wand and said rod, said collar being
movable from a first position to a second position relative to said
wand, the leading edge of said collar being arranged to be located
at a transition point for the second end of said flexible portion,
the improvement comprising; said collar including a longitudinally
extending portion and being provided with a longitudinal slot
extending along a portion thereof; and said collar including an
adjustable locking means arranged for longitudinal movement of said
collar relative to said rod.
7. The surgical device of claim 1 wherein said wand and said rod
are each comprised of two individual coaxial sections, each section
being arranged for disengagable, end-to-end attachment with one
another; and means for detachably securing the respective sections
of said wand and said rod in end-to-end relationship.
8. The surgical device of claim 7, wherein the detachable securing
means comprises individual ball and socket coupling attachment
members arranged for separable attachment relative to one another.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S.
Continuation-in-Part patent application Ser. No. 09/461,317 filed
on Dec. 15, 1999 which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/197,045, filed Nov. 20, 1998, for
Reusable Laparoscopic Retrieval Mechanism and Method for Use, now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,793. These applications are not abandoned and
are commonly owned by the assignee hereof.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to internal surgery and,
more specifically, to a reusable surgical device and methods for
accessing and retrieving tissue or other mass from a body
cavity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In recent years, the applications for laparoscopic surgery
have expanded to include many different procedures. A benefit of
laparoscopic operations is the relatively quick recovery period
experienced by patients, due to the small incisions that are made
in the body. These incisions reduce the trauma and the required
healing compared to traditional surgery. Laparoscopic tubes and
sleeves with diameters on the order of 10 millimeters are inserted
in the body cavity. Various instruments and a video camera are
typically directed through laparoscopic sleeves for performing and
monitoring the surgical steps.
[0004] A particular concern in laparoscopic surgery is the
transporting of tissues and other masses that are cut away or
retrieved during a surgery. While moving, manipulating, or cutting
up a removed mass within the body cavity, pieces of infected or
cancerous mass, blood, bile, and other liquids may escape into the
body cavity and pose infection problems or other complications. It
is desirable to contain these materials in a bag or similar
enclosure within the body cavity before removal to minimize the
risk of infection or other complications. It is important that the
containment of the materials be accomplished as quickly as possible
with minimal disturbance to the surgical site.
[0005] Instruments with membranes or bags have been designed in an
attempt to avoid the complications associated with the removal of
tissue during laparoscopic surgery. These devices typically fall
into two categories, those that have a bag coiled around an
introducing rod that must be unfurled by various maneuvers, and
those that pop open a bag using a spring, wire, or other mechanism.
A device that falls into the second category is a pouch disclosed
in Pagedas (U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,597), which utilizes a flexible rod
slidably connected to a wand to create a reclosable pouch. When the
rod bows out, the bag is opened. When the rod straightens, the bag
is closed to form a seal.
[0006] However, the specimen retrieval instruments that are
currently on the market, especially the more practical devices, are
designed for a single use. Not only does this create a disposal
problem, but disposable instruments are not always cost effective.
In this era of cost containment, the need often arises for reusable
instruments, especially a laparoscopic retrieval pouch that can be
sterilized and reused. A second failing of the current specimen
retrieval instruments is that they are limited as to the specimen
size that can be safely retrieved. A reusable instrument that can
employ different size bags and allow rapid removal and replacement
of a retrieval pouch would increase surgical efficiency. A third
shortcoming of disposable specimen retrieval instruments is that
specimen bags are often ruptured by morcelating instruments or
pressure distention against the base of the retrieval bag. A
reusable device warrants the additional cost of heavier gauge
materials that can withstand the burden of a larger mass, the
rigors of morcelation, and the stress of sterilization.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,597 (Pagedas) is incorporated herein by
reference. Although Pagedas (U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,597) alludes to an
option where one may slip a sleeve styled bag onto its device, no
specific embodiment is given. Moreover, no mention is made of a
reusable bag that may be sterilized.
[0008] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a reusable
surgical device, and a method of using such a device, that allows
efficient access and retrieval of tissue or other mass from a body
cavity.
SUMMARY
[0009] According to the present invention, the foregoing and
following objects and advantages are achieved by providing a
reusable surgical device for safely manipulating and retrieving
tissue from a body cavity in operations such as laparascopic
surgery, and also a method for using the surgical device. A
surgical device having features of the present invention comprises
an elongated wand having a front end and a back end, a rod having a
flexible portion and a handle portion, and a removable bag. The
flexible portion includes a second end attached to the handle
portion, and a pivot end near the front end of the wand by a
disengaging connector. The handle portion of the rod and the back
end of the wand are close to each other so that they can be
manipulated from outside a body cavity. Preferably the bag for
enclosing and retrieving material during surgery is coupled to the
front of the wand and the flexible portion of the rod. The bag may
be opened by pushing the rod forward relative to the wand to bow
out the flexible portion and may be closed by pulling the rod
backward relative to the wand to straighten the flexible
portion.
[0010] Another object is to provide a surgical device that may be
accurately manipulated and controlled with one hand.
[0011] Another object is to provide a surgical device that has an
adjustable opening that seals when closed.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical
device that may be sterilized and reused. The reusable portions
that can be sterilized may include the wand, the rod, and/or the
bag.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical
device that includes a lock that may be engaged so that a surgeon
does not have to hold the device at the desired bag position. Bag
positions may include a degree of openness ranging from completely
closed to wide open, depending on the extent to which the flexible
portion of the rod is bowed.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical
device that includes a thumb grip to facilitate moving the rod.
[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical
device with a pre-loaded cartridge for containing a rolled bag and
having means for releasable engagement with an adjustable
handpiece.
[0016] Methods of using the surgical device comprise the steps of
attaching a bag to the front end of the wand and flexible portion
of the rod, engaging the disengaging connector, directing the
device into a body cavity, opening the bag by pushing the rod
forward to cause the flexible portion to bow out, receiving a mass
from the body cavity into the bag, and closing the bag by pulling
the rod backwards to cause the flexible portion to straighten and
form a seal against the wand. Additional steps may include
morcelating the removed mass, removing the surgical device from the
body cavity, disengaging the disengaging connector, removing the
bag, disposing of the removed mass, and sterilizing the wand, rod
and/or bag for reuse.
[0017] Accordingly, the present invention provides an economical
means for achieving greater efficiency, control and safety in
containing materials within, and removing materials from, a body
cavity during laparoscopic surgery.
[0018] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following description. Other objects, advantages and novel features
of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and
different embodiments and use in other applications, and its
several details are capable of modification in various obvious
respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly,
the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in
nature and not restrictive.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
surgical device showing the bag removed from the wand and rod.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
surgical device depicting the bag being attached to the wand and
rod.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
surgical device showing the bag attached to the wand and rod.
[0022] FIG. 3A shows how one embodiment of the disengaging
connector is engaged.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
surgical device showing the bag in an opened position.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
surgical device showing the bag in a closed position.
[0025] FIG. 5A shows how one embodiment of the disengaging
connector is disengaged.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of one embodiment of
the invention in a closed position and including an adjustable
connector.
[0027] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
back end of the wand and the handle portion of the rod, taken along
line 7-7 in FIG. 6.
[0028] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
back end of the wand and the handle of the rod, taken along line
7-7 in FIG. 6, illustrating a dovetail-shaped channel system.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the front end of the
wand and the flexible portion of the rod, taken along line 8-8 in
FIG. 6.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the
invention with a bag attached and in the open position.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
back end of the wand and the handle portion of the rod, taken along
line 10-10 in FIG. 9.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a view of one embodiment of the surgical device
directed through a laparoscopic sleeve into a body cavity and
opened for use in laparoscopic surgery.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the surgical device and showing a longitudinally
extending collar having adjustable locking means.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the surgical device showing the bag in opened position.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the surgical device having a longitudinally extending
collar, and showing a partially cut-away, pre-loaded, snap-on
cartridge in position to be attached to the device.
[0036] FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the alternative
embodiment of the surgical device of FIG. 14, and showing a
pre-loaded, snap-on cartridge attached to the device.
[0037] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the surgical device seen in FIG. 14 and showing a
pre-loaded, snap-on cartridge attached to the device with the
cartridge being inserted in an abdominal port.
[0038] FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the surgical device seen in FIG. 14 and showing the
bag extending through an abdominal port and in the furled
position.
[0039] FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the surgical device seen in FIG. 14 and showing the
bag extending through an abdominal port and in an unfurled
position.
[0040] FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the surgical device seen in FIG. 14 and showing the
bag extending through an abdominal port and in an unfurled and open
position.
[0041] FIG. 20 is a side view with partially cut away cartridge of
the device seen in FIG. 14 and showing the handpiece and pre-loaded
cartridge in position for connection.
[0042] FIG. 21 is a side view with partially cut away cartridge of
the device seen in FIG. 14 and showing the handpiece and pre-loaded
cartridge releasably coupled.
[0043] FIG. 22 is a fragmentary view of the device seen in FIG. 14
and showing the handpiece connector ball and cartridge socket prior
to connection.
[0044] FIG. 23 is a fragmentary view of the device seen in FIG. 14
and showing the handpiece connector ball and cartridge socket
during the connection process.
[0045] FIG. 24 is a fragmentary view of the device seen in FIG. 14
and showing the handpiece connector ball and cartridge socket in a
connected position.
[0046] FIG. 25 is a view of the alternative embodiment surgical
device of FIGS. 14-24 showing the device directed through a
laparoscopic sleeve, into a body cavity, and opened for use in
laparoscopic surgery.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the
physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the
invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While
the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be
changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by
the claims.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the surgical
device 11 includes an elongated wand 12 with a front end 14 and a
back end 16. The wand front end 14 and back end 16 serve as
reference points for this discussion, so that "forward" and "front"
refer to those movements or locations toward the front end 14 and
"backward" and "back" refer to those movements toward the back end
16. The surgical device 11 further includes an elongated rod 18
that has a handle portion 24 connected to a flexible portion 22.
The handle portion 24 lies close and generally parallel to the wand
12 and may be coupled to the wand 12 in some fashion. The flexible
portion 22 includes a pivot end 20 and a second end 21. The second
end 21 of the flexible portion 22 is connected to the handle
portion 24, and the pivot end 20 is coupled to the wand's front end
14 using a disengaging connector 80. The surgical device further
comprises a removable bag 50 that may be sterilized and reused.
[0049] In the preferred embodiment a slot system serves as a
connector for holding the handle portion 24 close to the back end
16 of the wand and to set the transition point 26 where the
flexible portion 22 transitions from lying close to the wand 12 to
bowing out from the wand 12. This transition point 26 may be
anywhere on the flexible portion 22 between the pivot end 20 and
the second end 21. However, designing a surgical device 11 with the
transition point 26 very close to the pivot end 20 would give
little longitudinal distance in which the flexible portion could
bow. Therefore, the connector preferably extends forward to about
the middle of the flexible portion 22.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the slot system includes a channel 28
and a lip 32. The channel 28 extends along the longitudinal axis of
the wand 12 from the back end 16 and forward preferably to the
corresponding location of the rod's pivot end 20. The rod 18 is
received in the channel 28. The lip 32 extends partially over the
channel 28 for slidably holding the rod 18 in the channel 28
forward up to the location of the front extremity 30. At the front
extremity 30, the rod 18 may come out of the channel system as
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the channel 28 preferably extends all
the way to the location where the pivot end 20 attaches to the
front end 14, so that when the flexible portion 22 straightens, it
may be received in the channel 28 to form a seal 34 (FIG. 5)
between the front end 14 and the flexible portion 22, or between
the first portion 160 and the second portion 162 of the bag 50.
Other designs may be used to allow the front end 14 and the
flexible portion 22 to cooperate to form a seal 34, such as the
embodiment in FIGS. 9 and 10 in which the front end 14 and flexible
portion 22 inner surfaces 40, 42 are flat.
[0052] To bow out the flexible portion 22, the surgeon pushes the
handle portion 24 forward, preferably using a thumb grip 44 or some
other means that aids comfortable operation. Because it is anchored
at the pivot end 20, the rod 18 responds to being pushed by bowing
out. To straighten the flexible portion 22 and the bring it closer
to the wand 12, the surgeon pulls the handle 24 backwards.
Alternatively, the flexible portion 22 may be biased in the closed
or unbowed position by allowing the flexible portion 22 to spring
back to the unbowed position when pressure on the thumb grip 44 is
released.
[0053] Regarding the flexibility of the wand 12, there are several
options. The wand front end 14 may be rigid in some embodiments and
somewhat flexible in other embodiments. For example, the front end
14 may be somewhat flexible for operations in which the surgeon
needs to temporarily bend the wand to reach a particular location
in the body cavity 70 at a particular angle. However, the wand 12
should be less flexible than the flexible portion 22 of the rod 18,
so that the flexible portion 22 bows out from the wand 12 when the
handle portion 24 is pushed, rather than the flexible portion 22
and the wand front end 14 bending together in the same direction
and thus producing either no opening of the bag 50 or a partial and
difficult-to-control opening.
[0054] Regarding the flexibility of the rod 18, there are also
several options. The flexible portion 22 should be of a flexibility
in the outward direction that causes it to bow out relative to the
wand 12 when it is pushed. The rod 18 may have a rigid handle
portion 24 which may be held close to the wand 12 either by the
hand of the person using it or by the laparoscopic sleeve 64. The
rod 18 may also be flexible back to and including the handle
portion 24, as long as a connector is included to hold and guide
the handle portion 24 when it is being pushed and as long as the
handle portion 24 flexibility is limited to a range which does not
cause buckling and binding of the rod 18 inside the connector. In
other words, the rod 18 may have a flexible portion 22 near the
pivot end 20 and a relatively rigid handle portion 24, or may be a
flexible rod with a flexible portion 22 and a flexible handle
portion 24 which cooperates with a connector that holds and guides
the handle portion 24.
[0055] Optionally, embodiments with a rigid handle portion 24 may
also include a connector, such as the collar 66 shown in FIGS. 1
and 7, for additional guiding of the handle portion 24. FIG. 1
shows an example of the optional adjustable feature for a
connector, the adjustable feature being for changing the
longitudinal location of the connector front extremity 30 to change
the rod transition point 26. The collar 66 may be moved forward or
backward to select a transition point 26 and then may be locked
into place, for example with a set screw (not shown), in such a way
that the rod 18 may still slide through the collar. An adjustable
connector such as the collar 66 may also be added to embodiments
having a slot system, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0056] With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, an improved embodiment of
the invention is depicted. The improvement includes a
longitudinally extending collar 66a as illustrated. The collar 66a
has a slot 68 substantially coextensive of its length and surrounds
both the wand 12 and the rod 18 illustrated in previous figures.
The collar 66a may be moved forward or backward to select a
transition point 26a and may be locked into place, for example,
with a setscrew 60. A thumb loop 74 may also be provided for ease
in positioning. With an adjustable connector, a surgeon may use a
wand 12 and rod 18 with differently-sized bags or bags with
differently-shaped entryways.
[0057] The preferred materials for the wand 12 and rod 18 are any
materials that fulfill the various flexibility and rigidity
requirements while also being safe for sterilization and internal
surgery use. Surgical steel could be machined to meet those
needs.
[0058] In the preferred embodiment, the pivot end 20 of the
flexible portion 22 is attached to the front end 14 of the wand 12
by a disengaging connector 80. Preferably, the disengaging
connector 80 comprises the front end 14 of the wand having a
longitudinal slot 82 forming a first prong 84 and a second prong
86. A first notch 94 is formed in the first prong 84, and a second
notch 96 is formed in the second prong 86. The flexible portion 22
of the rod 18 includes a first perpendicular spur 90 and an
opposing second perpendicular spur 92. As shown in FIG. 3, to
engage the disengaging connector 80, the first and second spurs 90,
92 are pressed into the first and second notches 94, 96
respectively. As the handle portion 24 is pushed forward,
preferably using a thumb grip 44, and the flexible portion 22 bows
out, spurs 90 and 92 rotate in notches 94 and 96, respectively,
creating a hinge action. To disengage the connector 80, one pops
out the spurs 90, 92 from the notches 94, 96 by applying pressure
to the underside 88 of the connector 80 as shown in FIG. 5A.
[0059] Although the preferred embodiment includes a disengaging
connector 80 with a hinge action, any connector may be used to
connect the front end 14 to the pivot end 20 so long as the
disengaging connector 80 will not disengage under the stress
necessary to bow out the flexible portion 22, yet may be
efficiently disengaged to remove the bag 50 for disposal or
sterilization. Other such connectors may include a snap, a slot and
groove arrangement, other notch and spur configurations, or other
comparable cooperating systems.
[0060] The preferred embodiment includes a bag 50 for enclosing a
mass 52, which may be opened and closed by bowing and straightening
action of the flexible portion 22. The bag 50 has a wall 54 for
surrounding an interior space 56, and an edge 38 that surrounds the
entryway 58. The bag 50 can be disposable or reusable. The
preferred materials for the bag 50 should also meet sterility and
safety requirements for internal surgery. Transparent plastics,
flexible fabrics, and netting could be used. The preferred
materials have some memory for tending to stay in a somewhat
expanded state rather than tending to collapse, because this
feature aids in the quick opening or unwrapping of the bag 50. The
preferred materials are impermeable to liquid or are
liquid-resistant, for containing infected liquids, but netting or
loosely-woven materials could also be of benefit for some surgical
procedures. Where morcelating is necessary, a bag 50 may include a
fine denier brand fiber that is puncture resistant and able to
withstand the cutting of a mass.
[0061] In one embodiment having a detachable bag 50, the bag 50
includes a sleeved rim 152 with at least one opening 154. In the
preferred embodiment, the bag 50 includes a sleeved rim 152 divided
into a first part 160 and a second part 162, each part having a
first opening 164 and a second opening 166. The first part 160 and
second part 162 are divided by an unsupported section 62. The
unsupported section 62 allows the flexible portion 22 to slide
forward without tearing the bag 50 and to slide backward without
pulling the bag 50 underneath the lip 32. As shown in FIG. 2, to
attach the bag 50, one slips the flexible portion 22 into the first
opening 164 of the first part 160 of the sleeved rim 152, and slips
the front end 14 of the wand 12 into the first opening 164 of the
second part 162 of the sleeved rim 152. The flexible portion 22 and
the front end 14 of the wand 12 slip through the sleeved rim 152
and out the second opening 166 of the sleeved rim 152 at which time
the disengaging connector 80 is engaged as shown in FIG. 3 by
applying pressure to the underside 88 and topside 89 of the
connector 80.
[0062] The method of using the surgical device 11 includes
attaching a bag 50 to the front end 14 of the wand 12 and the
flexible portion 22 of the rod 18, and directing the surgical
device 11 into a body cavity 70, preferably through a laparoscopic
sleeve 64, so that the back end 16 and handle portion 24 are
accessible by the surgeon. As shown in FIG. 4, the bag 50 is opened
by pushing the handle portion 24 forward, preferably using a thumb
grip 44. The bag 50 is directed relative to the mass 52 so that the
mass 52 moves through the entryway 58 into the interior space 56 of
the bag 50. This may be done by moving the bag 50 to the mass 52
and scooping it up or by inserting the mass 52 into the bag 50 with
another tool 72. The bag 50 may be closed for further manipulation
of the mass 52 or for removal of the surgical device 11 and mass 52
from the body cavity 70. To facilitate removal from the
laparoscopic sleeve 64, the bag 50 may be wrapped around the front
14 flexible portion 22 to form a compact and smooth unit.
Optionally, a grinding, cutting, or other surgical tool 72 may be
inserted into the interior space 56 of the bag 50 for further
manipulation of the mass 52, for example, to cut a large mass into
pieces that will fit through the laparoscopic sleeve 64. The
surgical tool 72 may be inserted before the bag 50 is closed, or
after the bag 50 is closed if the flexible portion 22, front end
14, or bag 50 is adapted to allow a surgical tool 72 to pass
through the seal 34. Preferably, the flexible portion 22, front end
14, or bag 50 would also be adapted to maintain a good seal around
the inserted surgical tool 72 to prevent escape of mass and liquid.
Optionally, a surgical tool 72 could be inserted into the body
cavity 70 through the same laparoscopic sleeve 64 as the surgical
device 11, or through a hollow passage in the wand 12.
[0063] Another alternative embodiment surgical device 11 may be
viewed in FIGS. 14-25, inclusive. For convenience, the surgical
device 11 seen in FIGS. 14-25 has been separated into its two main
components, a pre-loaded cartridge member 11a and handpiece 11b. It
is further noted that like elements are referenced by like numerals
throughout this disclosure. As seen in FIG. 14, the cartridge
member 11a is preferably pre-loaded with a bag 50, which is furled
about the front end 14 of wand 12 and the flexible portion 22 of
rod 18. The wand 12 and rod 18 each include an attachment end,
which is modified to provide means for coupling to the cooperating
attachment means of wand 12 and rod 18 in the handpiece 11b. As
seen particularly in the views of FIGS. 14, 17, 20-25 the means for
coupling located at the attachment ends of the wand 12 and rod 18
located in cartridge 11a, is illustrated as cup-like sockets 220.
Cooperating ball members 230 are located at the attachment ends of
the wand 12 and elongated rod 18 in the handpiece 11b. The socket
220 includes a socket opening smaller than the corresponding ball
230 dimension to provide a snap fit. In the preferred embodiment,
and as seen in these views, the ball members 230 are preferably
mounted on the attachment ends of the wand 12 and the elongated rod
18 in the handpiece 11b, while the sockets 220 are located on the
attachment ends of the wand 12 and rod 18 located in the cartridge
11a. This arrangement is preferred due to the greater resilience of
the ball members 230 to wear during cleaning for reuse. The ball
members 230 are less likely to wear or crack during repeated use,
and are therefore better suited for position in the reusable
handpiece 11b. It is presently believed preferable that the
cup-like sockets 220 be positioned on the disposable cartridge 11a
thereby eliminating the need for cleaning and reuse of the more
fragile sockets 220 as the cartridge 11a is preferably a disposable
item. Although it is preferable that the ball members 230 and the
sockets be located on the handpiece 11b and cartridge 11a,
respectively, it is to be understood that an alternative
arrangement wherein the ball members 230 and the sockets 220 are
located on the cartridge 11a and the handpiece 11b respectively, is
within the scope of this disclosure.
[0064] As seen particularly in FIGS. 22-24, the ball 230 and socket
220 arrangement allows the cartridge member 11a and handpiece 11b
to be securely coupled during laparoscopic procedure (as seen in
FIG. 25) but allow for disengagement if a differently sized bag 50
is needed during surgery, if the bag 50 being used is full, or
after completion of surgery. This feature allows the medical
technician the flexibility of discarding the cartridge member 11a
after use or cleaning and reusing the entire device 11. While the
ball 230 and socket 220 arrangement is the preferred attachment
configuration, it is to be understood that other configurations
having snap-fit connection may be contemplated.
[0065] With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, it can be seen that,
during operation, the surgical device 11 with its pre-loaded
cartridge 11a is inserted into a laparoscopic port 64, wherein the
cartridge 11a travels into the body cavity 70 (seen in FIG. 25). As
seen particularly in FIG. 17, the cartridge 11a with pre-loaded bag
50 is pushed through the port 64 until it reaches narrowed area 210
at which point the leading edge 215 of cartridge 11a abuts the
narrowed area 210 and further forward motion of the cartridge 11a
is stopped. As may be further seen in FIG. 17, as the technician
continues to urge the rod 18 and wand 12 forward, the furled bag 50
is pushed past the abutted leading edge 215 of cartridge 16, out of
the port 64 and into the body cavity 70 (not seen in this view)
being accessed.
[0066] With reference to FIG. 18, the bag 50 is seen unfurled while
FIG. 19 depicts the bag 50 in the open position and presenting an
entry way 58 to the interior space 56, used for collection of
masses (not seen in this view).
[0067] The method of using the surgical device 11 shown in FIGS.
14-25 includes providing a handpiece 11b having a snap fitting
attachment member, providing a cartridge 11a having a preloaded,
furled bag 50 and a snap fitting attachment member, snap fitting
the cartridge 11a to the handpiece 11b in snap fit engagement,
directing the device 11 into a body cavity 70, preferably through a
laparoscopic port or sleeve 64, so that the handle portion 24 is
accessible by the surgeon, pushing a handle portion 24 forward,
preferably using a thumb grip 44 to open a bag 50, and directing a
mass 52 through the entry way 58 and into the interior space 56 of
the bag 50.
[0068] The above-described embodiments of this invention are merely
descriptive of its principles and are not to be limited. The scope
of this invention instead shall be determined from the scope of the
following claims, including their equivalents.
[0069] In describing the embodiments disclosed herein the inventor
has also described all the various alternative structures which are
equivalent to one or more elements or limitations of the claimed
invention. Beyond what is expressly described herein the inventor
has no prior knowledge of any other structures which are equivalent
to the invention claimed. Accordingly, the determination of
structures, methods, or compositions of matter which are equivalent
to the claimed invention shall not be limited to only the
alternative structures identified herein, but shall include other
structures whether or not they are presently known or unknown.
* * * * *