U.S. patent application number 13/223659 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for hand access device.
Invention is credited to Francesco Alfieri.
Application Number | 20120157782 13/223659 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45349422 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120157782 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alfieri; Francesco |
June 21, 2012 |
HAND ACCESS DEVICE
Abstract
A device for accessing a body cavity through an opening in
tissue is provided. The access device includes a unitary
compressible body configured to be received in an opening in
tissue. The compressible body includes a central portion, an upper
rim located on a proximal end of the body and a lower rim located
on a distal end of the body. The central portion defines a slit
configured to permit the passage of a hand therethrough in a
sealing manner.
Inventors: |
Alfieri; Francesco;
(Lincoln, RI) |
Family ID: |
45349422 |
Appl. No.: |
13/223659 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61424761 |
Dec 20, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/208 ;
600/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/3423 20130101;
A61B 2017/3429 20130101; A61B 2017/00265 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/208 ;
600/206 |
International
Class: |
A61B 1/32 20060101
A61B001/32 |
Claims
1. An access device comprising: a unitary, compressible body
configured to be received in an opening in tissue, the compressible
body including a central portion, an upper rim located on a
proximal end of the body and a lower rim located on a distal end of
the body, wherein the central portion defines a slit configured to
permit the passage of a hand therethrough in a sealing manner.
2. The access assembly of claim 1, wherein the compressible body
defines a substantially hour-glass shape.
3. The access assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower rims
and the central portion are substantially circular.
4. The access assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower rims
and the central portion are substantially oval.
5. The access assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower rims
are substantially similar.
6. The access assembly of claim 1, wherein the opening in the
tissue is an incision.
7. The access assembly of claim 1, wherein the opening in tissue is
a natural orifice.
8. The access assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the upper and
lower rims include a width of four inches (4'') and a depth of four
inches (4'').
9. The access assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the upper and
lower rims include a width of four inches (5'') and a depth of four
inches (3'').
10. The access assembly of claim 1, wherein the slit includes a
length of at least two and one-half inches (2.5'').
11. The access assembly claim 1, wherein the compressible body is
composed of at least one of silicone, thermoplastic elastomers
(TPE) and rubber.
12. The access assembly claim 1, wherein the compressible body is
composed of foam.
13. The access assembly claim 1, wherein the compressible body is
composed of gel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority
to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/424,761 filed on Dec.
20, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to access devices for use in
surgical procedures. More particularly, the present disclosure
relates to compressible access devices configured for sealed
receipt of a hand therethrough.
[0004] 2. Background of Related Art
[0005] Access assemblies configured for reception through an
opening or incision into a body cavity are known, as are methods of
inserting the access assemblies therethrough. Traditional access
assemblies include a rigid cannula that is received through the
tissue of the body wall into the body cavity. Endoscopic,
laparoscopic and other suitable instruments may then be directed
through a housing located on the proximal end of the cannula to
access the body cavity in a sealing manner.
[0006] Compressible devices or assemblies configured for accessing
a body cavity and permitting reception of instruments therethrough
in a sealing manner are also known. Such compressible assemblies
are composed of silicone, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), rubber,
foam, gel and other compressible materials and are configured to be
compressed to facilitate insertion into an incision. Typically,
such assemblies are deformed by a surgeon using his/her fingers or
with the assistance of a grasping device, i.e., forceps.
Compression of the assembly reduces the profile of the assembly,
thereby facilitating reception of the assembly into the incision.
Upon release of the compressive force, the previously compressed
assembly returns to an uncompressed configuration. One or more
endoscopic or laparoscopic devices may then be inserted through one
or more lumens in the assembly to complete a procedure.
[0007] Although advances have been made with regards to endoscopic
and laparoscopic instrumentation, there is still no comparison to
the dexterity and feel of one's hand. Being able to access a
surgical site with a hand enables a surgeon to perform procedures
that he/she would not otherwise be able to perform during a closed
procedure. Thus, any procedure performed with hand access more
closely resembles an open procedure, which a surgeon may be more
comfortable performing.
[0008] Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a compressible
access device which provides hand access for a surgeon.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention, in accordance with an embodiment
thereof, relates to an access device comprising a unitary,
compressible body configured to be received in an opening in
tissue, the compressible body including a central portion, an upper
rim located on a proximal end of the body and a lower rim located
on a distal end of the body, wherein the central portion defines a
slit configured to permit the passage of a hand therethrough in a
sealing manner. The compressible body may define a substantially
hour-glass shape. The upper and lower rims and the central portion
may be substantially circular or substantially oval. The upper and
lower rims may be substantially similar. The opening in the tissue
may be an incision or a natural orifice. Each of the upper and
lower rims may include a width of four inches (4'') and a depth of
four inches (4''). Alternatively, each of the upper and lower rims
may include a width of four inches (5'') and a depth of four inches
(3''). The slit may include a length of at least two and one-half
inches (2.5''). The compressible body may be composed of silicone,
thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), rubber, foam and/or gel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Embodiments of a compressible access device are disclosed
herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an access
device according to the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of the access device of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the access device of FIGS. 1
and 2, in a compressed condition prior to insertion through an
incision;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the access device of FIGS.
1-3, selectively secured within an incision;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an access device according
to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top view of the access device of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Embodiments of the presently disclosed access device will
now be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein
like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each
of the several views. As is common in the art, the term "proximal"
refers to that part or component closer to the user or operator,
i.e. surgeon or physician, while the term "distal" refers to that
part or component further away from the user. Although the access
devices of the present disclosure will be described as relates to
accessing an abdominal cavity through an incision in the abdominal
wall, the access devices of the present disclosure may be modified
for use in other closed procedures, i.e., laparoscopic,
arthroscopic, endoscopic. Furthermore, the access devices of the
present disclosure may be modified for use in accessing internal
cavities through natural orifices, e.g., anus, vagina.
[0018] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an access device according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally as
access device 100. Access device 100 is configured for insertion
through an opening in tissue, i.e., an incision, such that after
insertion, access device 100 creates a seal within the opening
through which a surgeon may insert and manipulate his/her hand "H"
(FIG. 4) and/or one or more surgical instruments (not shown) to
complete a procedure.
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, access device 100 includes
a substantially compressible and/or flexible body 112. Body 112 may
be formed of various materials, such as, for example, silicone,
thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), rubber, foam, gel, etc. In one
embodiment, body 112 includes a TPE material that is infused with
an inert gas, e.g. CO.sub.2 or Nitrogen, to form a foam structure.
Body 112 may be coated with a lubricant, e.g. Parylene N or C, in
order to create a lubricious outer surface. Various other coatings,
e.g., hydrophilic, hydrophobic, bio-agents, anti-infection,
analgesic, may also be employed to improve the characteristics of
access device 100 or to adapt access device 100 for a specific
procedure.
[0020] With reference still to FIGS. 1 and 2, body 112 includes a
substantially cylindrical central portion 120, an upper rim 122
located on a proximal end 112a, and a lower rim 124 located at a
distal end 112b. In this manner, body 112 defines a substantially
hourglass shape when viewed from the side. Upper and lower rims
122, 124 are integrally formed with central portion 120 and define
substantially annular members. Central portion 120 is configured to
span the thickness of tissue "T". Upper and lower rims 122, 124 aid
in preventing movement of access device 100 longitudinally through
incision "I" once access device 100 has been properly received
therethrough. As the thickness of tissue depends on the body
composition of the patient and the location through which the
underlying cavity is being accessed, the length and size of access
device 100, generally, and central portion 120, specifically, may
be modified to suit a given procedure. In this manner, an adult
patient having fatty abdominal tissue requires an access device
having a longer central portion 112 then an access assembly sized
for an child.
[0021] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, body 112 defines a slit
115 extending longitudinally therethrough. Slit 115 extends the
length of body 112 and provides a resealable opening through which
a hand "H" of a surgeon may be passed. As shown, slit 115 spans
substantially the width of central portion 120. Body 112 is
configured such that hand "H" may be passed through slit 115 of
access device 100 while maintaining an insufflation gas within a
body cavity "C". In this manner, body 112 of access device 100
forms a seal about the hand and lower arm of the surgeon, to permit
sealed passage of hand "H" therethrough. Body 112 may include a
coating about slit 115 to prevent tearing and/or to facilitate
reception of hand "H" therethrough.
[0022] With reference still to FIGS. 1 and 2, body 112 of access
assembly 100 defines a substantially hourglass shape having a
height "H". Upper and lower rims 122, 124 each define substantially
circular members having a width "W" and a depth "D". As shown, each
of upper and lower rims 122, 124 have similar sizes and shapes,
however, it is envisioned that rims 122, 124 may differ in size
and/or shape. Slit 115 defines a planar opening spanning a length
"L" of central portion 120. The size of access device 100 is needed
to be large enough to permit passage of hand "H" through slit 115
without tearing of body 112, however, access device 100 should not
be so large as to create an unnecessarily large opening in tissue
"T" of the patient that may be difficult to close and/or may leave
a decidedly large scar. As the size of a hand "H" differs from
surgeon to surgeon, access device 100 may be provided in various
sizes to accommodate the surgeon. In one embodiment, width "W" and
depth "D" of first and second rims 122, 124 and height "H" of body
112 each measure between three inches (3'') and five inches (5''),
and preferably, four inches (4''). In the same embodiment, slit 115
includes a length "L" of at least two and one-half inches
(2.5'').
[0023] The use of access device 100 will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The following discussion will include
the use of access device 100 for accessing a body cavity "C"
through an incision "I" in tissue "T". As discussed above, access
device 100 may be used for accessing various cavities or lumen
through other openings, including naturally occurring orifices,
e.g., anus.
[0024] Referring initially to FIG. 3, an incision "I" is created in
tissue "T" through which access device 100 is to be inserted to
access body cavity "C". Body 112 of access device is then
compressed to reduce the profile of access device 100. This may be
accomplished by hand or instead, through the use of an insertion
mechanism (not shown). By reducing the profile of access device
100, access device 100 may be more easily inserted through incision
"I".
[0025] Turning to FIG. 4, once received through incision "I", body
112 of access device 100 is permitted to return to an initial,
uncompressed condition. Decompression of access device 100 causes
access device 100 to expand within incision "I", thereby
effectively sealing body cavity "C". Once sealed, body cavity "C"
may be insufflated and access device 100 operates in a manner
similar to traditional access assemblies configured for use with
surgical instruments.
[0026] Removal of access assembly 100 from within incision "I"
occurs in the reverse order of insertion. Body 112 is once again
compressed to reduce the profile of access device 100. Once
compressed, access device 100 may be readily withdrawn from
incision "I". Once access assembly 100 is removed from incision
"I", incision "I" is closed in a conventional manner, i.e.,
sutures, staples.
[0027] Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an access device according an
alternative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally
as access device 200. Access device 200 is substantially similar to
access device 100 described hereinabove, and will only be described
as relates to the differences therebetween. Access device 100
includes a body 212 having a central portion 220, an upper rim 222
located on a proximal end thereof and a lower rim 224 located on a
distal end thereof. Body 212 defines a slit 215 extending
longitudinally through central portion 220. Each of upper and lower
rims 222, 224 and central portion 220 define substantially oval
members. The oval shape of upper and lower rims 222, 224 and
central portion 220 permits a longer slit 215. In this manner,
access device 200 is configured to more readily accommodate passage
of hand "H". Upper and lower rims 222, 224 have a width "W.sub.1"
and a depth "D.sub.1". Body 212 includes a height "H.sub.1" and
slit 215 includes a length "L.sub.1". In one embodiment, upper and
lower rims 222, 224 include a width "W.sub.1" of about five inches
(5'') and a depth "D.sub.1" of about three inches (3''), body 212
includes a height "H.sub.1" of about three and one-half inches
(3.5'') and slit 215 includes a length "L.sub.1" of about three
inches (3'').
[0028] It will be understood that various modifications may be made
to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, either or both of
the upper and lower rims and the central portion may include
selectively inflatable cavities configured to facilitate insertion
and removal of the access device through an incision. Therefore,
the above description should not be construed as limiting, but
merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled
in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and
spirit of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *