U.S. patent application number 09/797048 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-11 for laparoscopic tool and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Phillips Plastics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Peterson, Francis C..
Application Number | 20010029353 09/797048 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22929823 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010029353 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peterson, Francis C. |
October 11, 2001 |
Laparoscopic tool and method
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for use in
internal surgical procedures and is particularly advantageous for
use in laparoscopic surgical procedures. An example implementation
is directed to a tool having a depth-adjustable cannula having an
upper portion that rests on the body, and having an
automatically-sealing channel that readily accepts the insertion
and removal of surgical instruments without permitting gases to
pass. In one particular embodiment, the tool includes a low-profile
platform for stabilizing the tool on a body layer, a projection
channel with a flexible sleeve for maintaining the channel closed,
and an adjustable member for setting the penetration depth of the
tool. The flexible sleeve is sufficiently elastic to close the
inner channel in response to pressurization between the outside of
the flexible sleeve and the inner surface of the hollow channel.
The low-profile platform and the adjustable member permit use of
the same tool for different body-wall thicknesses.
Inventors: |
Peterson, Francis C.;
(Prescott, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CRAWFORD PLLC
1270 Northland Drive, Suite 390
St. Paul
MN
55120
US
|
Assignee: |
Phillips Plastics, Inc.
Prescott
WI
|
Family ID: |
22929823 |
Appl. No.: |
09/797048 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09797048 |
Mar 1, 2001 |
|
|
|
09246228 |
Feb 8, 1999 |
|
|
|
6197002 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/164.11 ;
604/167.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/3419 20130101;
A61B 17/3423 20130101; A61B 2017/3443 20130101; A61B 2090/034
20160201; A61B 17/3439 20130101; A61B 17/3417 20130101; A61B
2017/00557 20130101; A61B 17/3431 20130101; A61B 17/3462 20130101;
A61B 90/40 20160201; A61B 17/3498 20130101; A61B 2090/062
20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/164.11 ;
604/167.02 |
International
Class: |
A61M 005/178 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for inserting through a body layer including: an
elongated member, and a flexible sleeve where the sleeve is
attached to the bottom of the elongated member at an area less than
the majority of the periphery of the member so to close an opening
through the sleeve when pressure from a body cavity enters the
elongated member.
2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sleeve
is constructed and arranged to permit an external instrument to
pass through the channel while maintaining the channel closed due
to pressurization between the sleeve and an inner surface of the
tube.
3. An apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein the flexible sleeve
has a first end supported near the entry port.
4. An apparatus, according to claim 3, further including a flexible
sleeve lock that is constructed and arranged to provide another
entry port that is aligned with the first-indicated entry port and
to secure the first end of the flexible sleeve.
5. An apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein the first end of the
flexible sleeve is secured adjacent the extended portion of the
elongated tube.
6. An apparatus, according to claim 5, further including a gas
supply channel running along the elongated member and arranged to
provide a path outside of the flexible sleeve that passes an
externally-supplied gas to the body cavity.
7. An apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein the extended portion
includes a portion of the gas supply channel.
8. An apparatus, according to claim 1, further including an
elongated pin constructed and arranged to lock within the elongated
member and to puncture or pierce the body layer.
9. An apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein the elongated pin is
constructed and arranged along with the elongated member to extend
adjustably along the elongated tube.
10. An apparatus, according to claim 8, further including a sleeve
arranged to receive the elongated member and to adjust the extent
to which the elongated pin extends from the elongated tube.
Description
RELATED PATENT DOCUMENTS
[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/246,228, filed on Feb. 8, 1999
(PHIL.110PA), which is related to U.S. patent application entitled,
"Choker-Catheter," Ser. No. 08/988,157, filed on Dec. 12, 1997 (now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,303), and assigned to the instant assignee and
incorporated herein in its entirety, to which priority is
claimed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in
laparoscopic surgery and, more particularly, to an apparatus for
providing a seal or valve structure within a cannula which
effectively and cost efficiently prevents inert gas from escaping
while allowing the repeated insertion and removal of surgical
instruments through the cannula.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Recent advancements in surgical techniques and instruments
have permitted for incisions of reduced size for a variety of
surgical procedures. For example, surgical procedures which only a
few years ago required an incision six or seven inches in length
are today performed through incisions requiring less than one inch
in length. Among other advancements, one type of surgical
instrument that has been significant in this regard is the
trocar.
[0004] In general, a trocar is a sharply pointed surgical tool that
is used to create and maintain small, bowl-like incisions in a body
cavity. Surgical instruments, including miniaturized optical
devices, can be inserted through these small incisions and
manipulated to perform surgical procedures within the body cavity
without ever exposing the patient's internal organs or structures
to the outside environment. By enabling the creation and
maintenance of small working holes within a patient's body wall,
conventional trocars have greatly contributed to the reduction and
size of the incisions required to perform surgical procedures
thereby reducing the related complications.
[0005] Conventional trocars generally include an obturator and a
cannula. An obturator is a small, nail-like structure for
penetrating the body wall to create a working channel into the body
cavity. The cannula is a tube-like structure which is inserted into
the incision made by the obturator to maintain a working channel
even after the obturator is removed. In a typical scenario, the
obturator and cannula are assembled into a single unit by inserting
the obturator within the cannula, and then a combination is used to
puncture the body wall. The obturator can then be carefully
withdrawn from the cannula without removing the cannula from the
body wall. Surgical instruments can be inserted through this
cannula to perform an entire surgical procedure within the body
cavity.
[0006] In many surgical procedures involving trocars, the body
cavity is inflated with a nontoxic gas before the trocar is
employed to create a working pocket or volume within the patient
and to prevent the trocar from penetrating internal organs during
insertion. In an appendectomy procedure, for example, a patient's
abdomen is inflated with a gas through a veress needle. The
obturator is then used to place cannulas in various locations
throughout the inflated abdomen to perform the procedure. One such
cannula would typically be used to pass a small camera and light
into the body cavity so the surgeon could view the operating area
within the patient. Other cannulas would be used at other locations
to pass surgical instruments into the cavity and remove tissue such
as the appendix from the patient.
[0007] Maintaining the patient's abdomen in an inflated state
throughout this procedure is important. To this end, cannulas are
often provided with sealing flap valves that are arranged to
prevent gas from escaping from the patient's abdomen after the
obturator has been withdrawn. These sealing valves, however, do not
prevent gas leakage when the surgical instrument has a diameter
that is smaller than the diameter of the cannula seal. Instead gas
can easily pass through the gap between the inner walls of the
cannula and the outer surface of the surgical instrument to deflate
the work area. To prevent such deflation of this type from
occurring, physicians often are required to utilize only those
instruments whose dimensions closely match those of the cannula.
This requirement apparently limits the surgeon's freedom of choice
in selecting surgical instruments for the procedure. Thus, while a
surgeon's instrument might be preferred by a physician, the
physician might nonetheless be forced to use a less preferred, and
possibly less effective, tool to perform a procedure to avoid
deflating a body cavity.
[0008] It is also important for the surgeon to use an assembled
obturator and cannula for the particular operation and/or patient.
Depending on the body cavity to be explored and the patient
undergoing the surgery, the surgical procedures can vary
significantly. For example, using an assembled obturator and
cannula to puncture the stomach of a baby is quite different than
using an assembled obturator and cannula to puncture the stomach of
an obese adult. Typically, the procedure for a baby requires that
the assembled obturator and cannula be inserted just a short way,
enough to pierce a thin stomach wall. Conversely, the same
procedure for an obese adult requires that the assembled obturator
and cannula be inserted through a relatively thick stomach wall.
For such procedures, the conventional obturator and cannula
assembly is often too long or too short, thereby making the surgery
awkward. For example, when using an obturator and cannula assembly
that is too long, the upper end of the assembly extends far above
the stomach wall thereby making the assembly unstable.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for a surgical instrument and
procedure that addresses the above-mentioned, and other, problems
in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is directed to an apparatus or tool
for use in internal surgical procedures and, more particularly, to
a laparoscopic tool for surgical procedures. In a more specific
example embodiment, the tool includes a low-profile platform for
stabilizing the tool on a body layer, a collapsing sleeve in a
projection channel within the tool for maintaining the channel
closed, and an adjustable member for setting the penetration depth
of the tool.
[0011] In another example embodiment, an apparatus is used for
inserting through a body layer and into a body cavity for surgical
procedures. The apparatus includes: an elongated tube including an
entry port, a channel and an extended portion configured and
arranged to extend the entry port above the body layer; and a
flexible sleeve located within the hollow channel of the tube and
being supported via the elongated tube at first and second
locations of the elongated tube, wherein the flexible sleeve is
configured and arranged to have slack between the first and second
locations such that the sleeve is compressed when under pressure
while in use to close the opening.
[0012] In another particular embodiment, a method for accessing
through a body layer and into a body cavity for surgical
procedures, comprises: providing a tool including an entry port, a
channel and an extended portion configured and arranged to extend
the entry port above the body layer, and providing a flexible
sleeve within the hollow channel; inserting the tool into the body
and setting the extended portion on the body layer; placing an
instrument within the channel and within the flexible sleeve;
permitting the flexible sleeve to conform around the instrument
while the instrument is within the channel, and permitting the
flexible sleeve to close upon itself while no object is within the
channel, such that the flexible sleeve includes sufficient slack
between the first and second locations that the sleeve responds as
such when under pressure.
[0013] Another example implementation is directed to a tool having
a depth-adjustable cannula having an upper portion that rests on
the body, and having an automatically-sealing channel that readily
accepts the insertion and removal of surgical instruments without
permitting gases to pass through a channel in the cannula.
[0014] The above summary of the present invention is not intended
to describe each illustrated embodiment of the present invention.
Other aspects and embodiments of the invention will become apparent
upon a review of the figures and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The invention may be more completely understood in
consideration of the detailed description of various embodiments of
the invention which follow in connection with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an example surgical tool,
according to the present invention, with a body-piercing portion of
the tool removed;
[0017] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the body-piercing portion
of the example surgical tool of FIG. 1A, according to the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional side-end view of the example
surgical tool of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to the present
invention, shown in assembled form;
[0019] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the example surgical tool
of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to the present invention, shown in
assembled form;
[0020] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of the example surgical tool
of FIG. 1A, according to the present invention, shown in
unassembled form;
[0021] FIGS. 2A-2F are perspective views of various portions of an
example surgical tool manufactured in a manner consistent with the
example surgical tool of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, also according to the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3A is a side view of an outer cannula and an inner seal
of an example surgical tool according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3B is an end view according to the present invention of
the cannula with its inner seal of the example surgical tool of
FIG. 3A; and
[0024] FIG. 3C is a perspective view showing how a surgical
instrument, such as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3b, can be inserted
through the cannula and its inner seal while maintaining a closed
seal within the cannula, also according to the present
invention.
[0025] While the invention is amenable to other various
modifications in alternative forms, specifics thereof have been
shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in
detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not
to limit the invention to a particular embodiment described. On the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents,
and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The present invention is applicable to a variety of
apparatus and arrangements in which external instruments are to be
passed through an opening separating two environments in which a
pressure difference between these environments exists and in which
maintaining a seal between these environments is beneficial. The
invention has been found to be particularly advantageous in
laparoscopic surgery where surgical instruments are passed into a
body cavity (human or otherwise) to perform an operation. While the
present invention is not so necessarily limited, various aspects of
the invention can be appreciated through discussion of application
examples in such an environment.
[0027] Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate an
example laparoscopic tool 100 that is used to create and maintain a
small incision through a body layer, such as a stomach wall, having
any of a number of thicknesses. FIG. 1A shows the tool 100 from a
side view with the piercing portion of the tool 100 removed. The
laparoscopic tool 100 includes a main body 112 including an upper
portion 112a and an elongated section 112b having a hollow center
channel, an inner flexible tube 115 for collapsing the channel
sealed, and an outer adjustment sleeve 116 adapted to provide a
depth-settable scope at the bottom of the tool 100. The inner
flexible tube 115 is open-ended at each end and fits within the
channel of the elongated section 112b. The inner flexible tube 115
has one end secured between a tube lock 132 and the upper portion
112a, and has another end secured at a location 123 near the end of
the elongated section 112b, for example, using a heat weld, glue or
other adhering substance. The inner flexible tube 115 has
sufficient slack so that it collapses closed under a pressure in
the body cavity, for example, as provided into the body cavity via
a gas supply feeding a channel 120.
[0028] FIG. 1B shows the piercing portion of the tool 100 of FIG.
1A. This portion of the tool 100 includes a pin 114 secured at an
upper end to a pin holder 130, and a lock 118. The lock 118 has a
lock head 118a, a pin-receiving channel 118b, and a separable end
118c. The separable end 118c includes a plurality of sections
(e.g., 3 or 4), each having an outwardly-extending protrusion 118d
that is designed to lock into a corresponding aperture 116a within
the outer adjustment sleeve 116 of FIG. 1A.
[0029] As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1C, the
piercing portion (FIG. 1B) of the tool 100 is inserted into the
inner flexible tube 115 within the channel of the elongated section
112b. Once assembled, the piercing portion (FIG. 1B) of the tool
100 can be adjusted along the elongated section 112b so that the
distance between the underside of the upper portion 112a and the
girth at the bottom of the pin 114 corresponds to the thickness of
the body layer being penetrated. With the piercing portion of the
tool 100 adjusted for the corresponding body layer thickness, the
upper portion 112a can rest on the body layer and thereby provide a
foundation above the fatty body layer for insertion and control of
instruments to be inserted through (into and out of) the inner
flexible tube 115. The entry port, beginning at the upper side of
the upper portion 132a, has a conical shape to aid in guiding
instruments into the inner flexible tube 115.
[0030] The above example embodiment of the present invention is
advantageous in that only one laparoscopic tool is needed for a
variety of body layer thicknesses. The above embodiment is also
advantageous in that the upper portion 112a of the main body 112
extends above the body layer. This provides the operator (or
surgeon) a wide and elevated base, or platform, over the outer body
layer and from which the operator can control the surgical
instruments. In one embodiment, the upper portion 112a is about 3/4
inch high and several inches wide; however, the height and girth of
the upper portion 112a can vary.
[0031] FIGS. 1D and 1E respectively illustrate perspective views of
the tool 100 of FIG. 1A in assembled and unassembled form.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 1C-1D, the pin holder 130 includes a
curved surface that mates with a curved surface on the lock head
118a. When the pin holder 130 is turned relative to the lock head
118a so that the two surfaces are in a locked and non-mated
position, these curved surfaces provide a cam action to draw the
bulb end of the pin 114 part way into the end of the lock 118. This
cam action, in turn, causes the flexible end 118c of the lock 118
to lock into the end 116a of the sleeve 116, thereby setting the
various parts of the laparoscopic tool 100 so that it can be used
to make the desired incision. Once the incision is made, the gas
supply can be used to inflate the inner flexible tube 115 and body
cavity, and the pin holder 130 can be turned relative to the lock
head 118a so that the two surfaces are in a mated position. Turning
the pin holder 130 in this manner causes the flexible end 118c of
the lock 118 to be released from its lock into the end 126a of the
sleeve 116. The lock head 118a is then drawn upward and out of the
main body 112 to remove the lock 118 and the pin/pin-holder
assembly 114/130 from the main body 112. Surgical instruments are
then inserted into the tube lock 132 and the end of the inner
flexible tube 115 for viewing and/or surgical manipulations within
the inflated cavity.
[0033] Another important aspect of the present invention concerns
maintaining that the body cavity is in an inflated state throughout
the procedure. To this end, the inner flexible tube 115 is
configured and arranged to seal the incision during the surgery,
even after the pin 114 is withdrawn and other instruments are
inserted and withdrawn. Regardless of the diameters of the
instruments, gas cannot easily pass into or out of the body cavity
and deflate the work area. In various embodiments, the inner
flexible tube 115 is constructed of a slippery polyurethane or
Teflon-like material to permit the easy passage of an external
instrument through the sleeve to exit the rigid tube 102 at its
first end 106. The slippery, plastic, polyurethane-like material
also provides the required elasticity to allow the flexible tube to
be compressed under pressure to close the opening of the inner
channel formed within the flexible tube.
[0034] When used for laparoscopic surgery, the tool 100 creates a
small hole within the body cavity, with the hole sized to match the
outer diameter of the outer adjustment sleeve 116. The body cavity
is generally pressurized using an inert gas, such as CO.sub.2, such
that the internal pressure within the body cavity is greater than
the outside air. When the outer adjustment sleeve 116 is inserted
within the pressurized body cavity, this pressurization enters the
outer adjustment sleeve 116 at its lower end and thereby compresses
the inner flexible tube 115. Because the flexible tube 115 is
attached at the end of the main body 112, the flexible tube 115
gathers and compresses, closing the channel along the whole length
of the flexible tube 115 and preventing the escape of the
pressurized gas from inside the body cavity.
[0035] When in this configuration, a surgical instrument can be
inserted through tube lock 132 to enter within the inner channel of
the now collapsed inner flexible tube 115. As the instrument is
inserted through the flexible tube, the flexible tube will conform
around the external instrument, thus permitting the instrument to
pass through the inner flexible tube 115 and exit the rigid main
body 112. At the same time, the pressurization is present within
the main body's upper end. The pressurization continues to press
the flexible tube against the surfaces of the external instrument
as it passes through the inner channel. The external instrument can
now be used to perform surgical procedures within the body
cavity.
[0036] As the external instrument is removed, it passes back
through the inner channel of the flexible tube. Pressurization from
within the body cavity maintains the collapsed structure of the
flexible tube, thereby maintaining the seal of the inner channel
around the instrument until it is closed when the instrument is
completely removed.
[0037] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an
example surgical procedure includes using the laparoscopic tool 100
in assembled form (FIG. 1B) to puncture an incision through a body
wall. This procedure includes setting the outer adjustment sleeve
116 so that it is ratched all the way up along the elongated
section 112b toward the upper portion 112a. In one implementation,
the outer adjustment sleeve 116 sleeve includes an encircling ridge
116b for catching and locking onto the protrusions 112c of the
elongated section 112b. The puncture is then performed by pressing
the tool 100 into the body until the underside of the upper portion
112a resides on the skin or outer body layer. In one example
application, the underside of the upper portion 112a is adhered to
the stomach wall using two-way tape 108. Next, with the main body
112 held against the skin, the lock 118 is pressed downward. This
causes the outer adjustment sleeve 116 to ratchet with the pin
further into the body cavity, then to the desired depth. In one
application, the position of the outer adjustment sleeve 116 is
selected for a desired depth (e.g., up to 3-41/2 inches below the
main body 112), depending on the thickness of the body layer (e.g.,
body fat) from the outer skin or layer to where the incision
reaches the body cavity. Once the incision is complete, the pin 114
and the lock 118 are unlocked and removed to permit a surgical
instrument to be inserted into the inflated body area for viewing
and manipulation.
[0038] FIGS. 2A-2F show perspective views of example parts used for
implementing the surgical tool 100 of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C. In FIG.
2A, the upper portion 112a of the main body 112 is shown to include
a recess area for receiving and securing therein an end of the
flexible tube (115 of FIG. 1A) with the tube lock (132 of FIG. 2F)
over the end of the flexible tube.
[0039] The main body 112 further includes protrusions 112c along
its extended portion for engaging and locking to an encircling
ridge 116b on the inner surface of the sleeve 116 (FIG. 2D).
According to alternative example embodiments consistent with the
present invention, the adjustment mechanism providing this engaging
and locking can be implemented using the illustrated ratchet-like
ladder along the length of the extended portion of the main body
112. Alternative locking methods include threads or an elongated
tube. By using a nonpermanent securing mechanism such as the
illustrated ratchet-like ladder, the outer adjustment sleeve 116
can be advantageously readjusted.
[0040] FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate example structures for the pin
holder 130 and the pin 114. The pin holder 130 includes an aperture
130a for securing therein the pin 114 of FIG. 2C. The cam-like
surface of the pin holder 130 is depicted as 130b. The pin 114 of
FIG. 2C is expanded to show the bulb surface 114a for engaging and
expanding the end 118c of the lock 118 (FIG. 2E), the tip 114b for
incising the body wall, and the shaft 114c that enters the port
112b of the main body 112 (FIG. 2A).
[0041] The lock 118 of FIG. 2E and the outer adjustment sleeve 116
of FIG. 2D further show one of the interlocking sleeve/lock
mechanisms. The lock 118 includes a pliable or flexible end with
partially separable members 118c that, in response to receiving the
bulb portion 114a of the pin 114 (FIG. 2C), are forced outwardly to
mate protrusions 118d into apertures 116a of the sleeve 116.
[0042] These various components of FIGS. 2A-2F can be manufactured
in a number of different ways including, for instance, via molded
plastics (e.g., propylene).
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 3A, an alternative surgical instrument
301 consists of an elongated rigid tube 302 in which a flexible
tube or sleeve 303 is placed within a hollow channel located within
the rigid tube 302. The flexible tube or sleeve 303 is supported on
the rigid tube 302 using a weld 305 attaching the bottom of the
tube to the side wall. The flexible tube is also supported with
some overlap 306 at the point at which the rigid tube 302 mates
with an entrance receptacle 304 as it attaches to the upper end of
the rigid tube 302. The receptacle 304 is a funnel shaped device
that has a wide opening 308 and a narrow opening 307 for mating
with the rigid tube 302. This funnel structure is useful in guiding
the insertion of external instruments into the rigid tube 302 and
flexible tube 303 by permitting the funnel structure to guide the
instruments towards the center of the rigid and flexible tubes.
[0044] In one embodiment, the flexible tube 303 is constructed of a
slippery polyurethane or Teflon-like material to permit the easy
passage of an external instrument through the sleeve to exit the
rigid tube 302 at its first end 306. The flexible tube 303 has a
slippery, plastic, polyurethane-like material to provide the
required elasticity that allows the flexible tube 303 to be
compressed under pressure and to close the opening of the inner
channel formed within the flexible tube 303.
[0045] When in use for laparoscopic surgery, the rigid tube 302 is
inserted within a small hole within the body cavity. The small hole
within the body cavity can be sized to match the outer diameter of
the rigid tube 302. The body cavity is generally pressurized using
an inert gas, such as CO.sub.2, such that the internal pressure
within the body cavity is greater than the outside air. As such,
when the rigid tube 302 is inserted within the pressurized body
cavity, this pressurization enters the rigid tube at its first end
306 compressing the flexible tube 303 upwards. Because the flexible
tube is attached using along the weld 305, the flexible tube
gathers and compresses, closing the opening of the inner channel
thus preventing the escape of the pressurized gas from inside the
body cavity.
[0046] When in this configuration, a surgical instrument can be
inserted through receptacle 304, as it is passed through the
opening 308 of receptacle 304 and to enter within the inner channel
of the now collapsed flexible tube 303. As the instrument is
inserted through the flexible tube, the flexible tube will conform
around the external instrument, thus permitting the instrument to
pass through both the flexible tube 303 and exit the rigid tube
302. At the same time, the pressurization is present within the
rigid tube's first end 306. The pressurization continues to press
the flexible tube against the surfaces of the external instrument
as it passes through the inner channel, thus maintaining a within
the inner channel. The external instrument can now be used to
perform surgical procedures within the body cavity.
[0047] As the external instrument is removed, it passes back
through the inner channel of the flexible tube. Pressurization from
within the body cavity maintains the collapsed structure of the
flexible tube, thus maintaining the seal of the inner channel
around the instrument until it is closed when the instrument is
completely removed.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 3B, an end view of the surgical instrument
looking down towards the top of the receptacle is shown. The outer
edge 308 shows the outer dimension of the receptacle which funnels
down towards the mating surface between the receptacle and the
rigid tube 302. The flexible tube 303 is depicted in its closed
position as the flexible tube 303 is gathered up to close the
opening within the inner channel formed within 307. While an
external instrument is inserted down through the center of the
structure, the flexible tube 303 conforms to the shape and surface
of the external instrument.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 3C, an embodiment of the present invention
is shown in use where a cannula structure 302 is inserted within a
body cavity 301 at an incision 310. A surgical instrument 330 is
passed through the center of cannula 302 through the inner channel
of the flexible tube (not shown in FIG. 3C) that seals the opening
through the cannula structure 302. In this particular embodiment,
an additional channel structure 334 has been added which permits
the supply of an inert gas to be placed within the body cavity 301.
This structure 334 can be an inert gas line that comes from an
external source connected to a valve structure 345 and that allows
the gas supply to be turned on and off. In one example embodiment,
this valve structure 345 is made part of the receptacle housing.
This structure 334 is also connected to a secondary tube that runs
parallel to the rigid tube 302 of the cannula with an opening near
at the first end of the rigid tube 302 permitting the gas to enter
within the body cavity 301 on the far end side of the flexible tube
303, providing the pressurization within the body cavity needed to
close the inner channel of the flexible tube 303. This supply of
gas can be made part of the canal as described herein or can be
made as a separate structure inserted in the body at some other
location.
[0050] The gas supply, as described and illustrated in connection
with FIGS. 3A-3C, can be similarly implemented in connection with
the structure shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, with a channel for the gas
running inside or outside the tools main wall.
[0051] The above specification, examples and data provide a
complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition
of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
* * * * *