WO1996036283A1 - Skin seal with inflatable membrane - Google Patents

Skin seal with inflatable membrane Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996036283A1
WO1996036283A1 PCT/US1996/007220 US9607220W WO9636283A1 WO 1996036283 A1 WO1996036283 A1 WO 1996036283A1 US 9607220 W US9607220 W US 9607220W WO 9636283 A1 WO9636283 A1 WO 9636283A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
balloon
tube
skin seal
inflatable membrane
skin
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1996/007220
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kenneth H. Mollenauer
Michelle Y. Monfort
Original Assignee
General Surgical Innovations, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Surgical Innovations, Inc. filed Critical General Surgical Innovations, Inc.
Publication of WO1996036283A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996036283A1/en
Priority claimed from US08/867,285 external-priority patent/US5964781A/en

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/34Trocars; Puncturing needles
    • A61B17/3417Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating
    • A61B17/3421Cannulas
    • A61B17/3423Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/00234Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for minimally invasive surgery
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/34Trocars; Puncturing needles
    • A61B17/3417Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating
    • A61B17/3421Cannulas
    • A61B17/3431Cannulas being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B2017/00535Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets pneumatically or hydraulically operated
    • A61B2017/00557Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets pneumatically or hydraulically operated inflatable
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/34Trocars; Puncturing needles
    • A61B17/3417Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating
    • A61B2017/3419Sealing means between cannula and body
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/34Trocars; Puncturing needles
    • A61B2017/348Means for supporting the trocar against the body or retaining the trocar inside the body
    • A61B2017/3482Means for supporting the trocar against the body or retaining the trocar inside the body inside
    • A61B2017/3484Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
    • A61B2017/3486Balloon
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/40Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of surgical endoscopy, specifically to improvements in skin seals and cannulas.
  • Surgical endoscopy is a surgical technique of using small diameter long- handled tools such as graspers, forceps, scissors, retractors, dissectors, and clamps specially designed to be inserted through small incisions in the skin (or other openings in the body) to perform operations within the body.
  • the surgeon performing the surgery often cannot see the operation directly, and must watch the procedure on a video monitor which receives video image signals from an endoscopic camera or endoscope.
  • Endoscopic surgery replaces open surgery, which requires large incisions, essentially opening the body cavity completely, in order to perform surgery deep within the body.
  • Endoscopic techniques have been used for gall stone removal, gall bladder removal, hernia repair, tumor removal, lymph node removal and appendectomy and many other operations.
  • Endoscopic surgery is also called laparoscopic surgery, video assisted surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and band-aid surgery, but throughout this specification the term endoscopic surgery or laparoscopic surgery will be used.
  • the example of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hernia repair or lymphadenectomy, as well as the operation for harvesting a blood vessel will be used to illustrate both the old laparoscopic procedures and the new laparoscopic procedures now possible with the new devices.
  • a working space was created in the abdomen using the process called pneumoperitoneum or insufflation.
  • Insufflation is the process of injecting gas into the body to blow it up like a balloon, creating a space filled with gas.
  • the peritoneum is insufflated and the procedure is known as pneumoperitoneum.
  • the procedure can be used for insufflating a space between the peritoneum and the skin to permit laparoscopic hernia repair, as illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 5,496,345 to Kieturakis et al., entitled, "An Expansible Tunneling Apparatus for Creating an Anatomic Working Space.
  • Insufflation can also be used to inflate a tunnel shaped working space over a blood vessel to facilitate blood vessel harvesting, as described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/267,484, entitled “Extraluminal Balloon Dissection Apparatus and Method," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. While the space is filled with gas, the surgeon inserts long slender laparoscopic tools through trocars and cannulas which pierce the skin and provide access ports into the insufflated space.
  • the insufflation is accomplished by the following procedure.
  • An incision is made at the lower edge of the belly button or umbilicus.
  • the surgeon uses his fingers or a blunt dissection tool such as a blunt nosed obturator to uncover the fascia or abdominal muscles, then a large needle referred to as a Verres needle is inserted into the abdomen or peritoneal cavity.
  • the Verres needle punctures the fascia and peritoneum which cover the abdomen.
  • a pressurized gas such as CO 2 is injected into the abdomen through the needle, in effect inflating the abdomen like a balloon. After the abdomen is insufflated, the Verres needle is removed.
  • trocars and cannulas are inserted into the space created by the insufflation.
  • Endoscopic instruments including an endoscope or laparoscope, scissors, graspers, etc., are inserted into the abdomen through the cannulas and manipulated to dissect tissue surrounding the gall bladder, remove the gall bladder, and stitch the internal wounds.
  • the surgeon may insufflate a tunnel shaped work space created over a blood vessel.
  • the tunnel is first created using obturators or tunneling devices or balloons inserted through small incisions along or over the saphenous vein.
  • the surgeon may insert skin seals and cannulas, and insufflation gas is injected through one of the trocars. While the tunnel is insufflated, the cannulas permit the surgeon to insert laparoscopic instruments into the tunnel to perform surgery on the saphenous vein.
  • the cannula used in the procedures described above is a length of rigid tube.
  • the trocars and cannula are designed to allow laparoscopic instruments to pass through them .and prevent gas from escaping the abdomen or other insufflated work space.
  • the cannula may have a flapper valve or a trumpet valve inside which opens to allow an endoscope or laparoscope or other instrument to pass through, and closes when the laparoscope is removed.
  • Some trocar/cannula devices also contain a duckbill valve to assist in sealing the trocar.
  • the cannulas are typically about 6 inches or 15 centimeters long, and come in diameters matching various laparoscopic devices, generally from 2 to 15 mm.
  • surgeons use bare cannulas, secured only by a tight fit with the skin and fascia. However, cannulas frequently slip out of the body during use, disrupting the procedure and possibly endangering the patient. To prevent this danger, surgeons have devised a variety of methods to secure the cannula to the body and prevent it from slipping out of the body. Some cannulas are provided with threaded sleeves, fixed to the cannula. Some cannulas are provided with a threaded gripper with a smooth inner bore which matches the size of the cannula, so that the cannula can slide inside the gripper as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the gripper stabilizes the cannula so that it will not slip out of the body inadvertently, but can be easily removed when the surgeon wants.
  • the threaded gripper is simply screwed into the incision in the skin. This option permits the ready insertion and removal of smooth walled cannulas by sliding them into and out of the gripper.
  • Other grippers have been used, such as a gripper with expandable arms, a gripper with an inflatable balloon on the outside, and the Hasson cannula. These devices are illustrated in Oshinsky, et al. , Laparoscopic Entry and Exit, reprinted in Urologic Laparoscopy at 91-101 (Das & Crawford ed. 1994).
  • These devices are variously referred to as threaded skin seals, screw skin seals, skin anchors, obturators, grippers, trocar stabilizers or cannula stabilizers.
  • the surgeon usually needs to place several trocars and cannulas into the abdomen, and inserts as many as needed to accomplish the intended operation.
  • the first cannula placed through the belly button is used to insert a laparoscope so that the placement of other trocars and cannulas can be viewed from inside the abdomen.
  • the surgeon can view the procedure through any port, and can insert laparoscopic scissors, cutters and graspers and other tools through the cannulas in order to perform the surgery.
  • the typical endoscopic graspers 3 used for stitching inside the abdomen are shown, deployed inside the cannulas, in Fig. 2.
  • a bare cannula 4 is used with endoscopic graspers 3a.
  • Another pair of laparoscopic graspers 3b is inserted into a cannula 4a which is inserted through a threaded gripper 5.
  • a third cannula 6, shown with a threaded outer surface, is provided for an endoscope 34 which is inserted into the work space to provide the surgeon with a video view of the graspers 3 and body tissue.
  • Laparoscopic instruments of various designs are available, and they generally are about 5 to 12 mm in diameter (to match the inside bore of the cannulas) and about 10 to 40 cm in length. They are long and therefore difficult to use, and they are usually used when the surgeon can see them only through the laparoscope. Modern laparoscopic procedures require the surgeon to view the procedure on a video monitor. It may take a surgeon a lot of practice before becoming comfortable and skillful with the laparoscopic graspers, grippers and scissors. These tools are more difficult to use than the surgical tools which every surgeon uses in normal surgery, such as those shown in Fig.
  • a surgeon creates a working space inside the body through insufflation.
  • the surgeon makes a small incision at, for example, the inferior margin of the umbilicus 1 as shown in Fig. 1, .and then uses his fingers or a dissecting tool such as a blunt nosed obturator to prepare a point of injection.
  • the surgeon then inserts a Verres needle 2 into the abdominal cavity, and causes a pressurized gas such as C0 2 to flow through the needle 2 and into the abdominal cavity. This inflates the abdomen as shown in Fig. 1 and provides a working space for the surgeon.
  • the needle may then be removed, and a cannula or trocar/cannula combination may be inserted into the incision. Additional incisions may also be made, and the first incision may be used to insert a laparoscope to assist in the placement of the other incisions.
  • the additional incisions may each receive a cannula, and once several cannulas are in place the surgeon can view the procedure, and/or insert laparoscopic scissors, cutters, graspers or other tools through any of the cannulas.
  • the trocars and cannulas can be used in endoscopic blood vessel surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic hernia repairs where a working space is created under the skin.
  • a surgeon creates a tunnel between two small incisions over the saphenous vein. Then a cannula and skin seal are inserted into each incision. The tunnel is insufflated through one of the cannulas.
  • the laparoscopic instruments are also inserted into the working space through the cannulas, and the surgeon can watch the surgery through a laparoscope inserted through the one of the cannulas.
  • the devices presented herein allow for use of normal surgical tools (such as the forceps and scissors used in open-incision surgery) in laparoscopic procedures.
  • the skin seal is fitted with one or more balloons on the inner bore. These balloons can be inflated after the skin seal is inserted into the incision in the abdomen. Placement of the skin seal can be accomplished as usual, with the aid of a blunt or sharp trocar or cannula placed within the threaded skin seal.
  • the threaded skin seal can be made of rigid plastic, as is customary, or preferably it may be made of soft and pliable material such as latex or silicone rubber.
  • the trocar When the threaded skin seal is in place, the trocar may be removed and the balloon may be inflated until it expands to fill the inner bore of the threaded skin seal, thus sealing the bore to maintain the pressure created inside the abdomen with the insufflation gas.
  • the balloons are soft and pliable and can conform around the elements of the instruments as they are moved about during use. Thus, normal or conventional surgical instruments may be passed between the balloons. Both normal surgical instruments and laparoscopic instruments may be inserted into the body through the balloons without disrupting the seal created by the balloons.
  • the balloon is soft and pliable so that normal surgical tools may be operated inside the inflated balloon segments and the balloon segments will not hamper the operation of the tool to a significant degree.
  • the skin seal may be provided with a balloon membrane that expands outside the lumen of the skin seal to create a dumbbell, dog bone or bow tie shaped balloon which pinches the skin and, when necessary, fills the lumen in the skin seal.
  • More than one tool may be inserted through a single skin seal because the balloons are sufficiently pliable and may be inflated to a lesser degree.
  • normal surgical instruments may be used in laparoscopic procedures, taking advantage of the fact that they are easier to use and more surgeons know how to use them, compared to the long laparoscopic instruments.
  • the balloon filled skin seal may be used also as a seal for laparoscopic incisions which are no longer necessary or which the surgeon desires to plug temporarily while still leaving a skin seal in place for later use.
  • Fig. 1 is an external view of the insufflated abdomen of a patient.
  • Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the insufflated abdomen of a patient with several trocars, cannulas and laparoscopic instruments in place for a laparoscopic procedure.
  • Fig. 3 is a view of an open laparotomy procedure using normal surgical forceps.
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded view of cannula with an inflatable balloon inside.
  • Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cannula with the inflatable balloon inside.
  • Figs. 6, 6a and 6b are cross-sectional views of the cannula with the inflatable balloon shown in its inflated state.
  • Figs. 7 through 7c are end views, from the proximal end, of the cannula with inflatable balloon inside.
  • Figs. 8 shows a pair of skin seals with the balloons inside with a normal surgical instrument inserted through the balloons, deployed in the manner of intended use.
  • Fig. 9 shows a blunt obturator suited for use with the skin seal.
  • Fig. 10 shows a sharp trocar type obturator or suitable for use with the skin seal.
  • Fig. 11 shows the blunt obturator inserted in the skin seal.
  • Fig. 12 shows a skin seal with balloons which expand outside the lumen of the skin seal.
  • Fig. 13 is a cross-section of the skin seal with outer balloon.
  • Fig. 14 shows an alternate embodiment of a skin seal with balloons which expand outside the lumen of the skin seal.
  • Fig. 15 shows an exploded view of the skin seal with butterfly-shaped balloon membranes.
  • Fig. 16 shows the skin seal with outer balloon prepared for insertion into an incision.
  • Figs. 17 through 17b show a skin seal with outer balloon inserted into an incision.
  • Fig. 18 shows an alternate embodiment of the skin seal. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
  • the cannulas and grippers described below allow for use of normal surgical instruments in laparoscopic surgical procedures.
  • the terms “cannula,” “skin seal,” and “gripper” are used substantially interchangeably.
  • the typical gripper configuration is modified by adding a balloon or inflatable membrane to the inner bore of the gripper and adding an inflation port to the wall of the gripper to allow for inflation of the balloon.
  • the balloon When the balloon is inflated, it closes off the inner bore of the gripper so that it provides an air-tight seal during insufflation.
  • the balloon is pliable so that tools can be inserted through the inner bore of the balloon and the balloon expands around the surgical tool to maintain the seal with little or no leakage of insufflation gas.
  • the threaded skin seal 10 has a tube 11 with a generally conical or frustum outer shape with screw threads 12 provided on the outer surface 13.
  • the inner bore 14 is conical or funnel-shaped, conforming generally to the outer shape.
  • the skin seal is fiinnel-shaped, and the proximal end 15 of the threaded skin seal 10 has a large opening, and the distal or bottom end 16 has a smaller opening.
  • the distal or bottom portion 16 of the threaded skin seal 10 may have a straight or cylindrical bore to provide a tight fit with cannulas that have an outer diameter matching the inner diameter of this straight bore.
  • the distal or bottom portion 16 of the skin seal 10 may have a straight or cylindrical outer shape to make it easier to screw the skin seal 10 into an incision, and this straight section may be made of variable length to match the different thickness of fat which will be encountered in different patients.
  • the proximal end preferably has a conical inner bore to facilitate insertion of tools into the opening and through the cannula, but the inner bore may be straight.
  • the proximal end may also be described as flared, and may be gradually flared in relation to the distal end, as though trumpet shaped, or may flared in discrete fashion as in a typical funnel, with a straight tube at distal end and a conical segment at the proximal end.
  • the screw threads 12 constitute a fastening means, and may be replaced with other fastening means such as a circumferentially ribbed outer contour or a longitudinally grooved outer contour.
  • a flange 19 may be provided on the proximal end of the skin seal 10 for ease of handling.
  • the flange 19 also provides a convenient means for mounting the bellows onto the skin seal 10.
  • the skin seal is preferably 1 to 3 inches, or about 2 to 8 centimeters, long.
  • a balloon membrane 20 has a generally conical or frustum shape matching the inner bore of the threaded skin seal 10 and having the same overall length as the threaded skin seal 10.
  • the balloon membrane 20 fits inside the threaded skin seal 10 and is sealed to the skin seal funnel at the upper edge and lower edge of the balloon membrane.
  • the balloon membrane 20 may be shorter than the skin seal 10, and may be sealed to the inner surface of the skin seal 10 at points inside the skin seal 10, rather than at the immediate distal and proximal edges of the skin seal 10.
  • the balloon membrane 20 may be longer than the skin seal 10 and may be cuffed or folded back around the outside of the skin seal 10 at the proximal and distal ends, and sealed at the cuffs.
  • An inflation port 21 is provided comprising a hole in the wall 22 of the threaded skin seal 10.
  • An inflation tube 23 or Luer fitting connects the inflation port 21 to a suitable pump such as the syringe 24 shown in Fig. 5 or to the squeeze bulb 25 shown in Fig. 6.
  • a suitable pump such as the syringe 24 shown in Fig. 5 or to the squeeze bulb 25 shown in Fig. 6.
  • the membrane 20 may be inflated and deflated repeatedly by pushing and pulling on the syringe plunger 26, thus forcing air into the balloon membrane 20 and sucking air out of the balloon membrane 20.
  • a one-way valve or stopcock may be used to seal the membrane 20 so that the pump or syringe may be detached from the skin seal 10.
  • an inflation port can be provided at the distal tip of the skin seal, comprising an open airway between the inflatable membrane 20 and the insufflated work space.
  • the insufflation gas enters the skin seal from inside the body to pressurize and inflate the inflatable membrane.
  • an automatic seal is created upon insertion of the skin seal into the insufflated space. This simplifies placement and use of the skin seal because there is no need for a separate syringe or pump to inflate the membrane.
  • the bladder 20 is made of biocompatible elastomeric or elastic material such as latex, silicone rubber or any other suitable compliant or inflatable material.
  • the skin seal 10 is made of rigid or flexible material, soft or hard plastic, high density or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, thick latex, silicone rubber or any other suitable material including plastic, elastic or nonelastic biocompatible material.
  • the inflatable skin seal may be constructed by applying an elastic cylindrical or conical balloon membrane 20 to the inner bore of skin seal 10 and sealing the distal end of the balloon 20 to the distal end of the skin seal and sealing the proximal end of the balloon to the proximal end of the skin seal, thereby creating an inflatable space between the skin seal cannula 10 and the membrane 20.
  • a fully formed balloon bladder comprising inner and outer conical membranes sealed to each other at their distal and proximal ends, can be provided and fixed to the inner bore of the cannula.
  • the overall shape of the balloon will be conical, funnel shaped or flared to match the shape of the inside of the skin seal 10. While one balloon is depicted in each of the Figs.
  • two or more balloons may be used to guard against the possibility of rupture and loss of insufflation pressure during an operation, or to facilitate manufacture, or to facilitate use of the skin seal with particular tools.
  • a membrane seal may provided at any cross-sectional plane within the skin seal 10 to guard against loss of insufflation pressure.
  • Fig. 6 shows the inflatable skin seal 10 with the membrane 20 in its inflated condition.
  • the squeeze bulb 25 is used to force air into the space between the bladder 20 and the wall of the skin seal 10, causing the membrane 20 to inflate within the skin seal 10.
  • the inflated membrane 20 can be inflated until it completely obstructs the inner bore of the skin seal 10 and provides an air-tight seal between the distal and proximal ends of the skin seal 10.
  • the membrane 20 need not extend for the full length of the skin seal 10, but may instead be sealed to the inner bore at various points inside the skin seal 10.
  • the skin seal 10 in Fig. 6a has a balloon 20 only in the conical inner bore of the proximal section of the skin seal 10, and this facilitates use of graspers, scissors and other such instruments which might pinch the balloon 20 when operated, or unnecessarily reduce the internal diameter of the narrowest portion of the cannula.
  • the wall of the skin seal 10 may be made flexible enough to expand outwardly when the skin seal 10 is inflated, so that any gaps or looseness in the seal between the outside of the skin seal 10 and the incision are closed by the expansion of the outer wall 22 of the skin seal 10.
  • Fig. 7 shows the view of the inflated membrane viewed from the proximal end of the skin seal 10.
  • the membrane naturally bulges in two or more radial sections or segments 27 to fill the lumen of the skin seal 10.
  • the expansion of the balloon sections 27 need not be controlled, but may be controlled to facilitate operation of graspers or other hinged and pinching tools.
  • the application of restrictors, comprised of thickened strips along the length of the membrane, shown in Fig. 7a may be applied to the membrane to inhibit expansion along the strip.
  • Wire bands, plastic bands, or a line of adhesive gluing the balloon membrane to the skin seal may also be used to prevent expansion of the membrane along a longitudinal line of the membrane extending from the proximal end (or near the proximal end) to the distal end (or near the distal end) of the funnel. In this manner, a uniform expansion can be obtained, with the membrane expanding from the walls of skin seal 10 to meet along a uniform plane.
  • a pinching tool used in the skin seal 10 can be opened and closed along the plane defined by the inflated balloon, and the balloon will pliantly close upon the lumen but allow the pinching tool to open and close with less chance of pinching and cutting the balloon.
  • the inflatable membrane 20 may be placed on the inner bore of the skin seal in an eccentric manner, covering only a portion of the inner wall of the skin seal.
  • Fig. 7c shows the eccentric inflatable membrane in its inflated state.
  • Fig. 8 shows the skin seals 28, 29 and 30 with the balloon membranes inflated.
  • Skin seal 28 has the funnel shape described above.
  • a pair of normal surgical scissors such as Metzenbaum scissors 31 is inserted through one skin seal 28 and a pair of normal surgical graspers 7 (examples include Kelly clamps, Kelly placenta forceps, and Mayo clamps) is inserted through the skin seal cannula 29 to perform operations beyond the distal tip of the cannula.
  • the skin seals are shown screwed into incisions through skin 32 and subcutaneous fat 33, and they may also extend through the peritoneum or other tissue when appropriate to the operation.
  • An endoscope or laparoscope 34 which can be inserted through one skin seal to provide a view of the procedure is shown in the central skin seal 30.
  • the graspers 7 may be manipulated inside the cannula without breaking the insufflation seal. As the graspers 7 are manipulated, the membrane conforms around graspers 7 but yields to allow the graspers 7 to be opened, closed, twisted, pushed, and pulled within the skin seal without substantially degrading the seal created by the membrane. It should be noted that a perfectly air-tight seal is not necessary, and some leakage of insufflation gas or fluid is acceptable, so long as insufflation gas or fluid can be injected at a rate sufficient to make up for any loses.
  • Skin seal 28 is shown with a pair of conventional surgical scissors 33 or shears disposed through the skin seal.
  • the scissors may be opened wide, as shown, and the distal or proximal end of the skin seal will yield and flare out to allow operation of the scissors through their full range of motion and opened through the full throw (the "throw” referring to the length of arc 35 over which the graspers or scissors may be opened) of scissors 33 or graspers, as illustrated by flared distal portion 36 of skin seal 28.
  • the blunt obturator 37 provides support for the skin seal as it is pushed and screwed into the incision.
  • the blunt obturator comprises a peg 38 with an outer contour which matches the inner bore of the skin seal, a handle 39 a finger gap 40, and a blunt tip 41.
  • the tip may be blunt and rounded, or it may be sharp and pointed, as illustrated by the sharp pointed trocar type tip 42 in Fig. 10, in which case the sharp point 42 can puncture body tissue.
  • the obturator is placed inside the skin seal as shown in Fig. 11, and the assembly is screwed into the body as a unit.
  • the obturator is removed to allow insertion of other devices into the skin seal.
  • the finger gap 40 leaves some space for the surgeon to push against the flange of the skin seal while pulling the handle 39, thus avoiding the possibility that the skin seal will be pulled out of the body with the obturator 37.
  • the obturator 37 fits tightly inside the skin seal to give it support during insertion, it may inadvertently become sealed to the inside of the skin seal, especially if there is any leakage of body fluids or water into the skin seal. Any excessive force required to pull out the obturator could result in pulling the screw skin seal out of the skin incision.
  • the portion of the obturator which fits inside the skin seal may be provided with vacuum breakers in the form of scored lines or channels 43, circumferential grooves 44, or a roughened surface, to prevent a vacuum from forming between the skin seal inflatable membrane.
  • the scoring or roughening may take any form.
  • Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of the skin seal in which the balloon is enlarged so that it expands outside the lumen of the skin seal.
  • the skin seal 45 shown in Fig. 12 includes a dumbbell shaped balloon 46.
  • the shape of the balloon may variously be described dog bone, bow tie, dumbbell or butterfly shaped.
  • the balloon 46 has a lumen 47 extending through the balloon, and can be provided with a rigid cannula segment or stiffener tube 48 disposed within the balloon 46.
  • the stiffener tube 48 need only be stiff enough to provide support for the balloon 46 during placement, so it is stiff in relation to the balloon membrane, but may in fact be very flexible, and can be made of any plastic or elastic material or other materials suitable for the balloon membrane.
  • the balloon 46 may be formed by sealing together an inner balloon tube 49 and an outer balloon membrane 50.
  • An inflation port 51 is provided on the outer dumbbell portion, but may also be provided on the middle portion 52 or even the inner dumbbell. If inflated by insufflation, an inflation port may be provided on the inner dumbbell in form of a simple airway provided in the inner dumbbell which allows insufflation gas to enter the balloon 46 from the insufflated space. In this manner, the need for a separate source of inflation gas or fluid is avoided.
  • the outer balloon membrane 50 may be made of two or more pieces to create any desired outer shape. As shown in Fig. 13, the outer balloon membrane 50 has an oval outer shape when inflated. The balloon may be provided with any other useful shape, and may be round or toroidal, or oval as shown. The balloon is formed of two pieces 53 and 54 which are heat sealed or sealed with adhesive along the seam 55. Fig. 13 also illustrates that the inner balloon tube 49 fits inside the lumen of the stiffener tube 48 while the outer balloon membrane 50 surrounds the stiffener tube 48.
  • Fig. 15 shows an exploded view of the device, with butterfly shaped balloon membranes 53 and 54, the inner balloon tube 49 extending across the "wingspan" or major length of the butterfly shaped membrane, and the stiffener tube 48 surrounding the tubular balloon membrane 49.
  • the balloon can be made of any suitable material, including polyethylenes, polyamide, polyurethanes, latex or silicone rubber.
  • the balloon may be elastic or non-elastic.
  • the various pieces may be made of different material, for example the inner balloon tube may be made of an elastic material and the outer balloon membranes may be made of non-elastic material.
  • the stiffener tube 48 may be a straight length of tube or it may be funnel shaped like the screw skin seals described above.
  • the stiffener tube 48 provides columnar support for the device so that it can be pushed through an incision in the skin.
  • the stiffener tube 48 may be made of any suitable material, including any material previously mentioned above and any material previously used for cannulas and trocars.
  • the length of the stiffener tube is chosen to approximate the thickness of the skin and fat layers, and is preferably slightly shorter than the thickness of the skin and fat layers.
  • the stiffener tube 48 may be disposed inside the balloon pieces without being sealed in any way to the balloon pieces, or it may be sealed to either the inner or outer balloon pieces.
  • the inner balloon tube 49 may be sealed along a circumference of the tube, just as the balloon membrane of Figs. 5 and 6 is sealed to the threaded skin seal, and it may be sealed to the stiffener tube along one or more longitudinal lines as shown in Fig. 7a.
  • the inner balloon tube 49 may also be provided with thickened longitudinal portions, metal or plastic bands, etc., as described with reference to Fig. 7a to control inflation and encourage inflation toward a uniform plane in the center of the lumen.
  • the inner balloon tube 49 may be sealed to the stiffener tube 48 at both ends of the stiffener tube 48, as is the balloon membrane of the threaded skin seal, and inflated through an optional airway 56.
  • the outer balloon pieces may be sealed to the outside of the stiffener tube 48, either by sealing the entire intermediate portion to the stiffener tube 48 or by dispensing with the intermediate portion and sealing the dumbbell portion of the balloons to the ends 57 and 58 of the stiffener tube 48, as shown in Fig. 14.
  • the distal end of the deflated balloon is tucked into or pulled into the stiffener tube 48, as shown in Fig. 16.
  • An obturator, trocar or cannula 59 is placed inside the stiffener tube 48 to facilitate insertion of the skin seal 45 into an incision.
  • the cannula 59 is pushed into the incision along with the skin seal 45 which rides over the cannula 59.
  • the skin seal 45 can be pushed over the cannula 59 and into the incision.
  • the cannula 59 may be removed leaving the skin seal 45 in place.
  • the balloon can be inflated, as shown in Fig. 17.
  • the outer dumbbell portion 60 When the balloon is inflated, the outer dumbbell portion 60 is inflated while the inner dumbbell portion 61 expands out of the stiffener tube 48 into the body and inflates to re ⁇ establish the dumbbell shape. When the balloon is inflated further, the expanding dumbbells clamp down on skin 32, fat 33 and other tissue is trapped between the inner dumbbell portion 61 and outer dumbbell portions 60. When the balloon is inflated, the inner balloon tube 49 tends to collapse and fill the lumen 47 or tends to seal any device, such as the endoscope 34 placed through the lumen, as shown in Fig. 17.
  • a trocar or cannula may be inserted into the body through the lumen 47 of the skin seal, to allow insertion of laparoscopic instruments through the cannula, or laparoscopic instruments and normal surgical instruments may be inserted through the skin seal as shown in Fig. 17a and 17b, where the inner balloon tube 49 conforms around the instruments.
  • Fig. 17a shows the same skin seal with a pair of normal graspers used for open surgery inserted into the body through the skin seal.
  • Fig. 17b shows the skin seal inflated so that the inner balloon tube 49 completely fills the lumen 47 of the skin seal, thus maintaining the insufflation of the working space below the skin seal.
  • the stiffener tube is provided with a flange 62 on the proximal end.
  • the inner balloon tube is sealed to the inside of the stiffener tube at the proximal end of the tube.
  • the outer balloon portion is sealed to the outside surface of the stiffener tube.
  • the inner or distal dumbbell portion is expanded inside the body, and inflation of the distal dumbbell portion clamps the skin and fat between the flange and the distal balloon.
  • the seal can be supplied in a variety of sizes, with stiffener tubes of various sizes to match commercially available trocars, cannulas and laparoscopic instruments.
  • the size of the balloon and the length of the stiffener tube can be varied to fit incisions of various sizes required by the many different operations with which the skin seal can be used.
  • the skin seal may be used for laparoscopic access in any procedure, and can also be used to compress bleeding incisions and plug unneeded incisions during laparoscopic surgery.
  • the skin seals described above can be used for any endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery to permit use of conventional surgical instruments i.e., ordinary open incision surgical instruments. While the skin seals described above are useful in procedures requiring insufflation, they may also be used in other endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures. The use of the skin seal in any endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures will allow deployment of conventional surgical tools while protecting the area of the incision from trauma caused by the operation of the surgical instruments. Where insufflation or flushing is required, the bladder in the skin seal may be inflated to prevent undesired flow out of the cannula.
  • the skin seal described above has been described in the best known embodiments, fabricated with suitable materials known to the inventors, the particular materials and shapes depicted in the illustrations may be altered and improved upon without departing from the inventions as claimed. It is specifically contemplated that the materials be improved upon.
  • the devices have been described in relationship to surgery requiring insufflation and endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery, the claimed devices and methods may be used in surgical and non-surgical applications wherever the features of these device and methods prove beneficial.

Abstract

Surgical access devices for sealing an incision and providing a sealed access port for surgical instruments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a flexible skin seal (45) is fitted with one or more balloons (49, 50) in the inner bore (47). These balloons can be inflated after the skin seal is inserted into an incision in the abdomen. The balloons are soft and pliable and can conform to the instruments as they are moved during use. Both conventional surgical instruments and laparoscopic instruments may be inserted into the body through the balloons without disrupting the seal created by the balloons. In another embodiment, the skin seal may be provided with a balloon membrane that expands into a dumbbell, dog bone, or bow tie shaped balloon which pinches the skin between opposite ends of the dumbbell.

Description

DESCRIPTION
SKIN SEAL WITH INFLATABLE MEMBRANE
Technical Field
This invention relates to the field of surgical endoscopy, specifically to improvements in skin seals and cannulas.
Background of the Invention
Surgical endoscopy is a surgical technique of using small diameter long- handled tools such as graspers, forceps, scissors, retractors, dissectors, and clamps specially designed to be inserted through small incisions in the skin (or other openings in the body) to perform operations within the body. The surgeon performing the surgery often cannot see the operation directly, and must watch the procedure on a video monitor which receives video image signals from an endoscopic camera or endoscope. Endoscopic surgery replaces open surgery, which requires large incisions, essentially opening the body cavity completely, in order to perform surgery deep within the body. Endoscopic techniques have been used for gall stone removal, gall bladder removal, hernia repair, tumor removal, lymph node removal and appendectomy and many other operations. Endoscopic surgery is also called laparoscopic surgery, video assisted surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and band-aid surgery, but throughout this specification the term endoscopic surgery or laparoscopic surgery will be used.
To illustrate the background of the inventions described below, the example of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hernia repair or lymphadenectomy, as well as the operation for harvesting a blood vessel, will be used to illustrate both the old laparoscopic procedures and the new laparoscopic procedures now possible with the new devices. In the old procedure, a working space was created in the abdomen using the process called pneumoperitoneum or insufflation. Insufflation is the process of injecting gas into the body to blow it up like a balloon, creating a space filled with gas. When performed on the abdomen, the peritoneum is insufflated and the procedure is known as pneumoperitoneum. The procedure can be used for insufflating a space between the peritoneum and the skin to permit laparoscopic hernia repair, as illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 5,496,345 to Kieturakis et al., entitled, "An Expansible Tunneling Apparatus for Creating an Anatomic Working Space. " Insufflation can also be used to inflate a tunnel shaped working space over a blood vessel to facilitate blood vessel harvesting, as described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/267,484, entitled "Extraluminal Balloon Dissection Apparatus and Method," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. While the space is filled with gas, the surgeon inserts long slender laparoscopic tools through trocars and cannulas which pierce the skin and provide access ports into the insufflated space.
For abdominal surgery such as a cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), the insufflation is accomplished by the following procedure. An incision is made at the lower edge of the belly button or umbilicus. The surgeon uses his fingers or a blunt dissection tool such as a blunt nosed obturator to uncover the fascia or abdominal muscles, then a large needle referred to as a Verres needle is inserted into the abdomen or peritoneal cavity. The Verres needle punctures the fascia and peritoneum which cover the abdomen. A pressurized gas such as CO2 is injected into the abdomen through the needle, in effect inflating the abdomen like a balloon. After the abdomen is insufflated, the Verres needle is removed. After the needle is removed, trocars and cannulas are inserted into the space created by the insufflation. Endoscopic instruments including an endoscope or laparoscope, scissors, graspers, etc., are inserted into the abdomen through the cannulas and manipulated to dissect tissue surrounding the gall bladder, remove the gall bladder, and stitch the internal wounds.
To harvest the saphenous vein using laparoscopic procedures, the surgeon may insufflate a tunnel shaped work space created over a blood vessel. The tunnel is first created using obturators or tunneling devices or balloons inserted through small incisions along or over the saphenous vein. After the tunnel is created, the surgeon may insert skin seals and cannulas, and insufflation gas is injected through one of the trocars. While the tunnel is insufflated, the cannulas permit the surgeon to insert laparoscopic instruments into the tunnel to perform surgery on the saphenous vein.
The cannula used in the procedures described above is a length of rigid tube. The trocars and cannula are designed to allow laparoscopic instruments to pass through them .and prevent gas from escaping the abdomen or other insufflated work space. The cannula may have a flapper valve or a trumpet valve inside which opens to allow an endoscope or laparoscope or other instrument to pass through, and closes when the laparoscope is removed. Some trocar/cannula devices also contain a duckbill valve to assist in sealing the trocar. The cannulas are typically about 6 inches or 15 centimeters long, and come in diameters matching various laparoscopic devices, generally from 2 to 15 mm.
Some surgeons use bare cannulas, secured only by a tight fit with the skin and fascia. However, cannulas frequently slip out of the body during use, disrupting the procedure and possibly endangering the patient. To prevent this danger, surgeons have devised a variety of methods to secure the cannula to the body and prevent it from slipping out of the body. Some cannulas are provided with threaded sleeves, fixed to the cannula. Some cannulas are provided with a threaded gripper with a smooth inner bore which matches the size of the cannula, so that the cannula can slide inside the gripper as shown in Fig. 2. The gripper stabilizes the cannula so that it will not slip out of the body inadvertently, but can be easily removed when the surgeon wants. The threaded gripper is simply screwed into the incision in the skin. This option permits the ready insertion and removal of smooth walled cannulas by sliding them into and out of the gripper. Other grippers have been used, such as a gripper with expandable arms, a gripper with an inflatable balloon on the outside, and the Hasson cannula. These devices are illustrated in Oshinsky, et al. , Laparoscopic Entry and Exit, reprinted in Urologic Laparoscopy at 91-101 (Das & Crawford ed. 1994). These devices are variously referred to as threaded skin seals, screw skin seals, skin anchors, obturators, grippers, trocar stabilizers or cannula stabilizers. The surgeon usually needs to place several trocars and cannulas into the abdomen, and inserts as many as needed to accomplish the intended operation. The first cannula placed through the belly button is used to insert a laparoscope so that the placement of other trocars and cannulas can be viewed from inside the abdomen. After several cannulas are in place, the surgeon can view the procedure through any port, and can insert laparoscopic scissors, cutters and graspers and other tools through the cannulas in order to perform the surgery. The typical endoscopic graspers 3 used for stitching inside the abdomen are shown, deployed inside the cannulas, in Fig. 2. A bare cannula 4 is used with endoscopic graspers 3a. Another pair of laparoscopic graspers 3b is inserted into a cannula 4a which is inserted through a threaded gripper 5. A third cannula 6, shown with a threaded outer surface, is provided for an endoscope 34 which is inserted into the work space to provide the surgeon with a video view of the graspers 3 and body tissue.
The small diameter of the cannulas keeps the incisions small, and the matching diameter of the laparoscopic instruments is necessary to prevent leakage of the insufflation gas from the abdomen. Laparoscopic instruments of various designs are available, and they generally are about 5 to 12 mm in diameter (to match the inside bore of the cannulas) and about 10 to 40 cm in length. They are long and therefore difficult to use, and they are usually used when the surgeon can see them only through the laparoscope. Modern laparoscopic procedures require the surgeon to view the procedure on a video monitor. It may take a surgeon a lot of practice before becoming comfortable and skillful with the laparoscopic graspers, grippers and scissors. These tools are more difficult to use than the surgical tools which every surgeon uses in normal surgery, such as those shown in Fig. 3, in use during open laparotomy. The normal graspers are shown in use while the surgeon is tying off a suture 9. This normal procedure is familiar to a large number of surgeons. The normal surgical graspers 7a and 7b are shown in use in Fig. 3, suturing body tissue 8 with suture 9. It can readily be appreciated that the laparoscopic graspers shown in Fig. 2 require significantly more skill than normal surgical tools. One of the drawbacks of known cannulas and grippers is that they are adapted to admit only relatively narrow instruments, and are therefore generally unsuited for use with surgical tools designed for open procedures. It would be advantageous to use conventional surgical tools during laparoscopic procedures, but this is usually not permitted by the typical construction of the trocars and cannulas which are too narrow, long and rigid to permit passage of the conventional surgical tools. Most surgeons are very well trained in using conventional non-endoscopic instruments, such as the open-incision graspers shown in Fig. 3, and numerous procedures involving the graspers such as tying off a suture are well known and well practiced. The endoscopic instruments shown in Fig. 2, on the other hand, are not well known and well practiced, and generally require significantly more skill than the more familiar conventional open-incision instruments. Thus, there is a need to provide cannulas and grippers which would accommodate instruments used in open incision procedures.
Disclosure of the Invention In a typical endoscopic or laparoscopic operation, a surgeon creates a working space inside the body through insufflation. To create the working space for abdominal surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision at, for example, the inferior margin of the umbilicus 1 as shown in Fig. 1, .and then uses his fingers or a dissecting tool such as a blunt nosed obturator to prepare a point of injection. The surgeon then inserts a Verres needle 2 into the abdominal cavity, and causes a pressurized gas such as C02 to flow through the needle 2 and into the abdominal cavity. This inflates the abdomen as shown in Fig. 1 and provides a working space for the surgeon. The needle may then be removed, and a cannula or trocar/cannula combination may be inserted into the incision. Additional incisions may also be made, and the first incision may be used to insert a laparoscope to assist in the placement of the other incisions. The additional incisions may each receive a cannula, and once several cannulas are in place the surgeon can view the procedure, and/or insert laparoscopic scissors, cutters, graspers or other tools through any of the cannulas. As mentioned above, the trocars and cannulas can be used in endoscopic blood vessel surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic hernia repairs where a working space is created under the skin. In the blood vessel harvesting operation where the saphenous vein is to be removed, a surgeon creates a tunnel between two small incisions over the saphenous vein. Then a cannula and skin seal are inserted into each incision. The tunnel is insufflated through one of the cannulas. In these procedures, the laparoscopic instruments are also inserted into the working space through the cannulas, and the surgeon can watch the surgery through a laparoscope inserted through the one of the cannulas.
The devices presented herein allow for use of normal surgical tools (such as the forceps and scissors used in open-incision surgery) in laparoscopic procedures. The skin seal is fitted with one or more balloons on the inner bore. These balloons can be inflated after the skin seal is inserted into the incision in the abdomen. Placement of the skin seal can be accomplished as usual, with the aid of a blunt or sharp trocar or cannula placed within the threaded skin seal. The threaded skin seal can be made of rigid plastic, as is customary, or preferably it may be made of soft and pliable material such as latex or silicone rubber. When the threaded skin seal is in place, the trocar may be removed and the balloon may be inflated until it expands to fill the inner bore of the threaded skin seal, thus sealing the bore to maintain the pressure created inside the abdomen with the insufflation gas. The balloons are soft and pliable and can conform around the elements of the instruments as they are moved about during use. Thus, normal or conventional surgical instruments may be passed between the balloons. Both normal surgical instruments and laparoscopic instruments may be inserted into the body through the balloons without disrupting the seal created by the balloons. The balloon is soft and pliable so that normal surgical tools may be operated inside the inflated balloon segments and the balloon segments will not hamper the operation of the tool to a significant degree. The skin seal may be provided with a balloon membrane that expands outside the lumen of the skin seal to create a dumbbell, dog bone or bow tie shaped balloon which pinches the skin and, when necessary, fills the lumen in the skin seal.
More than one tool may be inserted through a single skin seal because the balloons are sufficiently pliable and may be inflated to a lesser degree. In this manner, normal surgical instruments may be used in laparoscopic procedures, taking advantage of the fact that they are easier to use and more surgeons know how to use them, compared to the long laparoscopic instruments. The balloon filled skin seal may be used also as a seal for laparoscopic incisions which are no longer necessary or which the surgeon desires to plug temporarily while still leaving a skin seal in place for later use. Brief Description of Drawings
Fig. 1 is an external view of the insufflated abdomen of a patient.
Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the insufflated abdomen of a patient with several trocars, cannulas and laparoscopic instruments in place for a laparoscopic procedure. Fig. 3 is a view of an open laparotomy procedure using normal surgical forceps.
Fig. 4 is an exploded view of cannula with an inflatable balloon inside.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cannula with the inflatable balloon inside. Figs. 6, 6a and 6b are cross-sectional views of the cannula with the inflatable balloon shown in its inflated state.
Figs. 7 through 7c are end views, from the proximal end, of the cannula with inflatable balloon inside.
Figs. 8 shows a pair of skin seals with the balloons inside with a normal surgical instrument inserted through the balloons, deployed in the manner of intended use.
Fig. 9 shows a blunt obturator suited for use with the skin seal.
Fig. 10 shows a sharp trocar type obturator or suitable for use with the skin seal. Fig. 11 shows the blunt obturator inserted in the skin seal.
Fig. 12 shows a skin seal with balloons which expand outside the lumen of the skin seal.
Fig. 13 is a cross-section of the skin seal with outer balloon.
Fig. 14 shows an alternate embodiment of a skin seal with balloons which expand outside the lumen of the skin seal.
Fig. 15 shows an exploded view of the skin seal with butterfly-shaped balloon membranes.
Fig. 16 shows the skin seal with outer balloon prepared for insertion into an incision. Figs. 17 through 17b show a skin seal with outer balloon inserted into an incision.
Fig. 18 shows an alternate embodiment of the skin seal. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
The cannulas and grippers described below allow for use of normal surgical instruments in laparoscopic surgical procedures. In the context of this invention, the terms "cannula," "skin seal," and "gripper" are used substantially interchangeably. The typical gripper configuration is modified by adding a balloon or inflatable membrane to the inner bore of the gripper and adding an inflation port to the wall of the gripper to allow for inflation of the balloon. When the balloon is inflated, it closes off the inner bore of the gripper so that it provides an air-tight seal during insufflation. The balloon is pliable so that tools can be inserted through the inner bore of the balloon and the balloon expands around the surgical tool to maintain the seal with little or no leakage of insufflation gas.
Referring to Fig. 4, the threaded skin seal 10 has a tube 11 with a generally conical or frustum outer shape with screw threads 12 provided on the outer surface 13. The inner bore 14 is conical or funnel-shaped, conforming generally to the outer shape. Overall, the skin seal is fiinnel-shaped, and the proximal end 15 of the threaded skin seal 10 has a large opening, and the distal or bottom end 16 has a smaller opening. The distal or bottom portion 16 of the threaded skin seal 10 may have a straight or cylindrical bore to provide a tight fit with cannulas that have an outer diameter matching the inner diameter of this straight bore. The distal or bottom portion 16 of the skin seal 10 may have a straight or cylindrical outer shape to make it easier to screw the skin seal 10 into an incision, and this straight section may be made of variable length to match the different thickness of fat which will be encountered in different patients. The proximal end preferably has a conical inner bore to facilitate insertion of tools into the opening and through the cannula, but the inner bore may be straight. The proximal end may also be described as flared, and may be gradually flared in relation to the distal end, as though trumpet shaped, or may flared in discrete fashion as in a typical funnel, with a straight tube at distal end and a conical segment at the proximal end. The screw threads 12 constitute a fastening means, and may be replaced with other fastening means such as a circumferentially ribbed outer contour or a longitudinally grooved outer contour. As shown, a flange 19 may be provided on the proximal end of the skin seal 10 for ease of handling. The flange 19 also provides a convenient means for mounting the bellows onto the skin seal 10. The skin seal is preferably 1 to 3 inches, or about 2 to 8 centimeters, long.
A balloon membrane 20 has a generally conical or frustum shape matching the inner bore of the threaded skin seal 10 and having the same overall length as the threaded skin seal 10. The balloon membrane 20 fits inside the threaded skin seal 10 and is sealed to the skin seal funnel at the upper edge and lower edge of the balloon membrane. The balloon membrane 20 may be shorter than the skin seal 10, and may be sealed to the inner surface of the skin seal 10 at points inside the skin seal 10, rather than at the immediate distal and proximal edges of the skin seal 10. Also, the balloon membrane 20 may be longer than the skin seal 10 and may be cuffed or folded back around the outside of the skin seal 10 at the proximal and distal ends, and sealed at the cuffs.
An inflation port 21 is provided comprising a hole in the wall 22 of the threaded skin seal 10. An inflation tube 23 or Luer fitting connects the inflation port 21 to a suitable pump such as the syringe 24 shown in Fig. 5 or to the squeeze bulb 25 shown in Fig. 6. When the syringe 24 is used, the membrane 20 may be inflated and deflated repeatedly by pushing and pulling on the syringe plunger 26, thus forcing air into the balloon membrane 20 and sucking air out of the balloon membrane 20. A one-way valve or stopcock may be used to seal the membrane 20 so that the pump or syringe may be detached from the skin seal 10. Alternately, an inflation port can be provided at the distal tip of the skin seal, comprising an open airway between the inflatable membrane 20 and the insufflated work space. In this manner, the insufflation gas enters the skin seal from inside the body to pressurize and inflate the inflatable membrane. In this manner, an automatic seal is created upon insertion of the skin seal into the insufflated space. This simplifies placement and use of the skin seal because there is no need for a separate syringe or pump to inflate the membrane.
In the preferred embodiment, the bladder 20 is made of biocompatible elastomeric or elastic material such as latex, silicone rubber or any other suitable compliant or inflatable material. The skin seal 10 is made of rigid or flexible material, soft or hard plastic, high density or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, thick latex, silicone rubber or any other suitable material including plastic, elastic or nonelastic biocompatible material.
As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the inflatable skin seal may be constructed by applying an elastic cylindrical or conical balloon membrane 20 to the inner bore of skin seal 10 and sealing the distal end of the balloon 20 to the distal end of the skin seal and sealing the proximal end of the balloon to the proximal end of the skin seal, thereby creating an inflatable space between the skin seal cannula 10 and the membrane 20. Alternatively, a fully formed balloon bladder, comprising inner and outer conical membranes sealed to each other at their distal and proximal ends, can be provided and fixed to the inner bore of the cannula. The overall shape of the balloon will be conical, funnel shaped or flared to match the shape of the inside of the skin seal 10. While one balloon is depicted in each of the Figs. , two or more balloons may be used to guard against the possibility of rupture and loss of insufflation pressure during an operation, or to facilitate manufacture, or to facilitate use of the skin seal with particular tools. A membrane seal may provided at any cross-sectional plane within the skin seal 10 to guard against loss of insufflation pressure.
Fig. 6 shows the inflatable skin seal 10 with the membrane 20 in its inflated condition. The squeeze bulb 25 is used to force air into the space between the bladder 20 and the wall of the skin seal 10, causing the membrane 20 to inflate within the skin seal 10. The inflated membrane 20 can be inflated until it completely obstructs the inner bore of the skin seal 10 and provides an air-tight seal between the distal and proximal ends of the skin seal 10. The skin seal or cannula
10 can be thin walled and flexible enough to expand as well, thereby further improving the seal between the skin seal 10 and the incision. As shown in Fig. 6a, the membrane 20 need not extend for the full length of the skin seal 10, but may instead be sealed to the inner bore at various points inside the skin seal 10. The skin seal 10 in Fig. 6a has a balloon 20 only in the conical inner bore of the proximal section of the skin seal 10, and this facilitates use of graspers, scissors and other such instruments which might pinch the balloon 20 when operated, or unnecessarily reduce the internal diameter of the narrowest portion of the cannula.
As shown in Fig. 6b, the wall of the skin seal 10 may be made flexible enough to expand outwardly when the skin seal 10 is inflated, so that any gaps or looseness in the seal between the outside of the skin seal 10 and the incision are closed by the expansion of the outer wall 22 of the skin seal 10.
Fig. 7 shows the view of the inflated membrane viewed from the proximal end of the skin seal 10. The membrane naturally bulges in two or more radial sections or segments 27 to fill the lumen of the skin seal 10. The expansion of the balloon sections 27 need not be controlled, but may be controlled to facilitate operation of graspers or other hinged and pinching tools. For example, the application of restrictors, comprised of thickened strips along the length of the membrane, shown in Fig. 7a, may be applied to the membrane to inhibit expansion along the strip. Wire bands, plastic bands, or a line of adhesive gluing the balloon membrane to the skin seal may also be used to prevent expansion of the membrane along a longitudinal line of the membrane extending from the proximal end (or near the proximal end) to the distal end (or near the distal end) of the funnel. In this manner, a uniform expansion can be obtained, with the membrane expanding from the walls of skin seal 10 to meet along a uniform plane. A pinching tool used in the skin seal 10 can be opened and closed along the plane defined by the inflated balloon, and the balloon will pliantly close upon the lumen but allow the pinching tool to open and close with less chance of pinching and cutting the balloon. As shown in Fig. 7b, the inflatable membrane 20 may be placed on the inner bore of the skin seal in an eccentric manner, covering only a portion of the inner wall of the skin seal. Fig. 7c shows the eccentric inflatable membrane in its inflated state.
Fig. 8 shows the skin seals 28, 29 and 30 with the balloon membranes inflated. Skin seal 28 has the funnel shape described above. A pair of normal surgical scissors such as Metzenbaum scissors 31 is inserted through one skin seal 28 and a pair of normal surgical graspers 7 (examples include Kelly clamps, Kelly placenta forceps, and Mayo clamps) is inserted through the skin seal cannula 29 to perform operations beyond the distal tip of the cannula. The skin seals are shown screwed into incisions through skin 32 and subcutaneous fat 33, and they may also extend through the peritoneum or other tissue when appropriate to the operation. An endoscope or laparoscope 34 which can be inserted through one skin seal to provide a view of the procedure is shown in the central skin seal 30. Because the balloon is pliable and conforms around any device within the skin seal, the graspers 7 may be manipulated inside the cannula without breaking the insufflation seal. As the graspers 7 are manipulated, the membrane conforms around graspers 7 but yields to allow the graspers 7 to be opened, closed, twisted, pushed, and pulled within the skin seal without substantially degrading the seal created by the membrane. It should be noted that a perfectly air-tight seal is not necessary, and some leakage of insufflation gas or fluid is acceptable, so long as insufflation gas or fluid can be injected at a rate sufficient to make up for any loses. Where the skin seal itself is made of a soft pliant material such as latex rubber or silicone rubber, the forceps may be manipulated even further, and deformation of the skin seal 28 will permit a wider range of motion for the forceps. Skin seal 28 is shown with a pair of conventional surgical scissors 33 or shears disposed through the skin seal. The scissors may be opened wide, as shown, and the distal or proximal end of the skin seal will yield and flare out to allow operation of the scissors through their full range of motion and opened through the full throw (the "throw" referring to the length of arc 35 over which the graspers or scissors may be opened) of scissors 33 or graspers, as illustrated by flared distal portion 36 of skin seal 28.
It will be readily appreciated that such operation would not be possible using standard cannulas. Normal surgical tools are much easier to use than the long laparoscopic instruments shown in Fig. 2. Also, the tools can be much larger, and have much larger operating implements. For example, the cutting edges of scissors 31 are much longer that cutting edges on laparoscopic scissors, and can cut much more quickly. A common method of dissecting tissue with conventional scissors is to pierce connective tissue with the closed scissors and open the scissors, operating the scissors in backwards fashion, so that the dull outer edges of the scissors pull connective tissue apart. This can be done very quickly using the skin seals 29 and 30, as compared to slow and tedious snipping required when using long laparoscopic instruments.
Placement of the skin seals may be facilitated with the special blunt obturators shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. The blunt obturator 37 provides support for the skin seal as it is pushed and screwed into the incision. The blunt obturator comprises a peg 38 with an outer contour which matches the inner bore of the skin seal, a handle 39 a finger gap 40, and a blunt tip 41. The tip may be blunt and rounded, or it may be sharp and pointed, as illustrated by the sharp pointed trocar type tip 42 in Fig. 10, in which case the sharp point 42 can puncture body tissue. The obturator is placed inside the skin seal as shown in Fig. 11, and the assembly is screwed into the body as a unit. After the skin seal is in place, the obturator is removed to allow insertion of other devices into the skin seal. The finger gap 40 leaves some space for the surgeon to push against the flange of the skin seal while pulling the handle 39, thus avoiding the possibility that the skin seal will be pulled out of the body with the obturator 37. Because the obturator 37 fits tightly inside the skin seal to give it support during insertion, it may inadvertently become sealed to the inside of the skin seal, especially if there is any leakage of body fluids or water into the skin seal. Any excessive force required to pull out the obturator could result in pulling the screw skin seal out of the skin incision. To prevent the need for such excessive force, the portion of the obturator which fits inside the skin seal may be provided with vacuum breakers in the form of scored lines or channels 43, circumferential grooves 44, or a roughened surface, to prevent a vacuum from forming between the skin seal inflatable membrane. The scoring or roughening may take any form.
Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of the skin seal in which the balloon is enlarged so that it expands outside the lumen of the skin seal. The skin seal 45 shown in Fig. 12 includes a dumbbell shaped balloon 46. The shape of the balloon may variously be described dog bone, bow tie, dumbbell or butterfly shaped. The balloon 46 has a lumen 47 extending through the balloon, and can be provided with a rigid cannula segment or stiffener tube 48 disposed within the balloon 46. The stiffener tube 48 need only be stiff enough to provide support for the balloon 46 during placement, so it is stiff in relation to the balloon membrane, but may in fact be very flexible, and can be made of any plastic or elastic material or other materials suitable for the balloon membrane.
The balloon 46 may be formed by sealing together an inner balloon tube 49 and an outer balloon membrane 50. An inflation port 51 is provided on the outer dumbbell portion, but may also be provided on the middle portion 52 or even the inner dumbbell. If inflated by insufflation, an inflation port may be provided on the inner dumbbell in form of a simple airway provided in the inner dumbbell which allows insufflation gas to enter the balloon 46 from the insufflated space. In this manner, the need for a separate source of inflation gas or fluid is avoided.
The outer balloon membrane 50 may be made of two or more pieces to create any desired outer shape. As shown in Fig. 13, the outer balloon membrane 50 has an oval outer shape when inflated. The balloon may be provided with any other useful shape, and may be round or toroidal, or oval as shown. The balloon is formed of two pieces 53 and 54 which are heat sealed or sealed with adhesive along the seam 55. Fig. 13 also illustrates that the inner balloon tube 49 fits inside the lumen of the stiffener tube 48 while the outer balloon membrane 50 surrounds the stiffener tube 48. Fig. 15 shows an exploded view of the device, with butterfly shaped balloon membranes 53 and 54, the inner balloon tube 49 extending across the "wingspan" or major length of the butterfly shaped membrane, and the stiffener tube 48 surrounding the tubular balloon membrane 49. With the inner balloon tube 49 and the stiffener tube 48 sandwiched between the butterfly shaped balloon membranes, the edges of the butterfly shaped membranes are sealed together and the ends of the inner balloon tube 49 are sealed to the edge of the butterfly shaped membranes at the middle of the outer edge of the wings, thereby forming a single balloon with an overall butterfly shape and a lumen extending across the wingspan. The balloon can be made of any suitable material, including polyethylenes, polyamide, polyurethanes, latex or silicone rubber. The balloon may be elastic or non-elastic. The various pieces may be made of different material, for example the inner balloon tube may be made of an elastic material and the outer balloon membranes may be made of non-elastic material. The stiffener tube 48 may be a straight length of tube or it may be funnel shaped like the screw skin seals described above. The stiffener tube 48 provides columnar support for the device so that it can be pushed through an incision in the skin. The stiffener tube 48 may be made of any suitable material, including any material previously mentioned above and any material previously used for cannulas and trocars. The length of the stiffener tube is chosen to approximate the thickness of the skin and fat layers, and is preferably slightly shorter than the thickness of the skin and fat layers. The stiffener tube 48 may be disposed inside the balloon pieces without being sealed in any way to the balloon pieces, or it may be sealed to either the inner or outer balloon pieces.
The inner balloon tube 49 may be sealed along a circumference of the tube, just as the balloon membrane of Figs. 5 and 6 is sealed to the threaded skin seal, and it may be sealed to the stiffener tube along one or more longitudinal lines as shown in Fig. 7a. The inner balloon tube 49 may also be provided with thickened longitudinal portions, metal or plastic bands, etc., as described with reference to Fig. 7a to control inflation and encourage inflation toward a uniform plane in the center of the lumen. Also, the inner balloon tube 49 may be sealed to the stiffener tube 48 at both ends of the stiffener tube 48, as is the balloon membrane of the threaded skin seal, and inflated through an optional airway 56. The outer balloon pieces may be sealed to the outside of the stiffener tube 48, either by sealing the entire intermediate portion to the stiffener tube 48 or by dispensing with the intermediate portion and sealing the dumbbell portion of the balloons to the ends 57 and 58 of the stiffener tube 48, as shown in Fig. 14.
In use, the distal end of the deflated balloon is tucked into or pulled into the stiffener tube 48, as shown in Fig. 16. An obturator, trocar or cannula 59 is placed inside the stiffener tube 48 to facilitate insertion of the skin seal 45 into an incision. The cannula 59 is pushed into the incision along with the skin seal 45 which rides over the cannula 59. With the cannula 59 in the incision, the skin seal 45 can be pushed over the cannula 59 and into the incision. After the skin seal 45 has been inserted into the incision, the cannula 59 may be removed leaving the skin seal 45 in place. Then the balloon can be inflated, as shown in Fig. 17. When the balloon is inflated, the outer dumbbell portion 60 is inflated while the inner dumbbell portion 61 expands out of the stiffener tube 48 into the body and inflates to re¬ establish the dumbbell shape. When the balloon is inflated further, the expanding dumbbells clamp down on skin 32, fat 33 and other tissue is trapped between the inner dumbbell portion 61 and outer dumbbell portions 60. When the balloon is inflated, the inner balloon tube 49 tends to collapse and fill the lumen 47 or tends to seal any device, such as the endoscope 34 placed through the lumen, as shown in Fig. 17. A trocar or cannula may be inserted into the body through the lumen 47 of the skin seal, to allow insertion of laparoscopic instruments through the cannula, or laparoscopic instruments and normal surgical instruments may be inserted through the skin seal as shown in Fig. 17a and 17b, where the inner balloon tube 49 conforms around the instruments. Fig. 17a shows the same skin seal with a pair of normal graspers used for open surgery inserted into the body through the skin seal. Fig. 17b shows the skin seal inflated so that the inner balloon tube 49 completely fills the lumen 47 of the skin seal, thus maintaining the insufflation of the working space below the skin seal.
In another embodiment, only the inside or distal end of the balloon expands outside the skin seal. As shown in Fig. 18, the stiffener tube is provided with a flange 62 on the proximal end. The inner balloon tube is sealed to the inside of the stiffener tube at the proximal end of the tube. The outer balloon portion is sealed to the outside surface of the stiffener tube. The inner or distal dumbbell portion is expanded inside the body, and inflation of the distal dumbbell portion clamps the skin and fat between the flange and the distal balloon. When the central lumen is not occupied by an instrument, the inner balloon tube is collapsed into the central lumen by the pressure in the balloon and establishes a seal between the insufflated work space and the outside. The seal can be supplied in a variety of sizes, with stiffener tubes of various sizes to match commercially available trocars, cannulas and laparoscopic instruments. The size of the balloon and the length of the stiffener tube can be varied to fit incisions of various sizes required by the many different operations with which the skin seal can be used. The skin seal may be used for laparoscopic access in any procedure, and can also be used to compress bleeding incisions and plug unneeded incisions during laparoscopic surgery.
The skin seals described above can be used for any endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery to permit use of conventional surgical instruments i.e., ordinary open incision surgical instruments. While the skin seals described above are useful in procedures requiring insufflation, they may also be used in other endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures. The use of the skin seal in any endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures will allow deployment of conventional surgical tools while protecting the area of the incision from trauma caused by the operation of the surgical instruments. Where insufflation or flushing is required, the bladder in the skin seal may be inflated to prevent undesired flow out of the cannula. Also, although the skin seal described above has been described in the best known embodiments, fabricated with suitable materials known to the inventors, the particular materials and shapes depicted in the illustrations may be altered and improved upon without departing from the inventions as claimed. It is specifically contemplated that the materials be improved upon. Furthermore, although the devices have been described in relationship to surgery requiring insufflation and endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery, the claimed devices and methods may be used in surgical and non-surgical applications wherever the features of these device and methods prove beneficial.

Claims

What is Claimed is:
1. A device for sealing an incision through one or more layers of body tissue and providing access for surgical instruments to be passed into the body comprising: a balloon having a distal portion, a proximal portion, an intermediate portion between said distal and proximal portions, said distal portion having a large cross-section compared to said intermediate portion, said balloon having an inner balloon tube and an outer balloon tube defining a lumen which extends through said balloon and through which the surgical instruments can be passed into the body, said inner balloon tube and said outer balloon tube being sealed together at said distal and proximal portions of said balloon to form a closed surface which can be inflated; a tube having proximal and distal ends disposed within said closed surface of said balloon, said inner balloon tube extending through said tube and said outer balloon tube surrounding said tube, said tube having a length approximately equal to a thickness of the layers of body tissue to be sealed and a lumen extending therethrough; and an inflation port communicating with said closed surface of said balloon.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said outer balloon tube is comprised of two butterfly shaped balloon membranes having outer margins, said butterfly shaped balloon membranes being sealed to each other along their outer margins to form a butterfly shaped balloon.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said distal portion of said balloon has a large diameter compared to said intermediate portion of said balloon, said diameter being sufficient to ensure that said distal portion of said balloon, when inflated, is large enough to cover the incision.
4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a flange on said proximal end of said tube, said flange being sized and dimensioned to cover the incision.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said distal portion of said balloon is stored within said lumen of said tube when said balloon is uninflated, said distal portion of said balloon everting and expanding outside said lumen upon inflation.
6. A surgical access device comprising: a flexible funnel having a large end, a small end, an outer surface, and an inner bore; screw threads on said outer surface of said funnel; a funnel shaped inflatable membrane secured to said inner bore of said funnel to form an airtight chamber between said inner bore of said funnel and said inflatable membrane; and an inflation port communicating with said airtight chamber.
7. A skin seal comprising: a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner bore, said proximal end having a larger outer diameter than said distal end; an inflatable membrane secured to said inner bore of said flexible tube, said inflatable membrane having a proximal end of larger diameter th.an said distal end, said inflatable membrane being disposed within said tube with said proximal end of said inflatable membrane aligned with said proximal end of said tube and said distal end of said inflatable membrane aligned with said distal end of said tube, said inflatable membrane sealed to said tube; and an inflation port communicating with said inflatable membrane.
8. A surgical access device comprising: a flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end having a larger diameter than said distal end, said tube having an outer surface and an inner bore; an inflatable membrane disposed within said inner bore of said flexible tube, said inflatable membrane having a conical shape and having a proximal end and a distal end, said inflatable membrane sealed to said tube; and an inflation port communicating with said inflatable membrane.
9. The device of claim 8 further comprising screw threads on said outer surface of said flexible tube.
10. The device of claim 8 further comprising a flange on said proximal end of said flexible tube.
11. The device of claim 8 wherein said flexible tube is made of an elastomeric material.
12. The device of claim 8 wherein said flexible tube is made of a nonelastic material.
13. The device of claim 8 wherein said inflatable membrane is disposed only within said proximal end of said flexible tube.
PCT/US1996/007220 1995-05-19 1996-05-17 Skin seal with inflatable membrane WO1996036283A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/444,425 1995-05-19
US08/444,425 US5634937A (en) 1995-05-19 1995-05-19 Skin seal with inflatable membrane
US08/867,285 US5964781A (en) 1995-05-19 1997-06-02 Skin seal with inflatable membrane
US09/383,027 US6468292B1 (en) 1995-05-19 1999-08-25 Skin seal with inflatable membrane

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996036283A1 true WO1996036283A1 (en) 1996-11-21

Family

ID=27409604

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1996/007220 WO1996036283A1 (en) 1995-05-19 1996-05-17 Skin seal with inflatable membrane

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (6) US5634937A (en)
WO (1) WO1996036283A1 (en)

Cited By (100)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000032116A1 (en) 1998-12-01 2000-06-08 Atropos Limited A surgical device for retracting and/or sealing an incision
WO2000054675A1 (en) * 1999-03-18 2000-09-21 Gaya Limited A surgical access device
WO2000054676A1 (en) * 1999-03-18 2000-09-21 Gaya Limited A surgical access device
US6578577B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2003-06-17 Atropos Limited Laparoscopic sealed access device
US6582364B2 (en) 1999-10-14 2003-06-24 Atropos Limited Retractor and method for use
JP2006528012A (en) * 2003-07-23 2006-12-14 ミクロクッフ ジーエムビーエッチ Natural or colostomy closure system
WO2006133927A2 (en) * 2005-06-17 2006-12-21 Microcuff Gmbh Device for gastric feeding and drainage via an artificial stoma
US7195590B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2007-03-27 Atropos Limited Surgical device
EP2044889A1 (en) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-08 Tyco Healthcare Group, LP Seal anchor for use in surgical procedures
EP2138117A1 (en) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-30 Tyco Healthcare Group LP Low profile instrument access device
EP2005907A3 (en) * 2007-06-20 2010-06-23 Lucini Surgical Concept S.r.L. Cannula device for endoscopic surgical operations
EP2238924A1 (en) * 2009-03-31 2010-10-13 Tyco Healthcare Group LP Foam port and introducer assembly
EP2324784A1 (en) * 2009-11-24 2011-05-25 Tyco Healthcare Group LP Surgical portal and introducer assembly
EP2335619A1 (en) * 2009-12-17 2011-06-22 Tyco Healthcare Group LP Access assembly with dual anchor and seal capabilities
US8033995B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2011-10-11 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Inflatable retractor with insufflation and method
US8137267B2 (en) 2009-04-08 2012-03-20 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Retractor with flexible sleeve
US8231570B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2012-07-31 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Inverted conical expandable retractor
US8241209B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2012-08-14 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Active seal components
US8257251B2 (en) 2009-04-08 2012-09-04 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access into a body cavity
US8282546B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2012-10-09 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Inverted conical expandable retractor with coil spring
US8328717B2 (en) 2009-03-27 2012-12-11 Covidien Lp Seal device with adjustable aperture
US8353873B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-01-15 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site
US8357088B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-01-22 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access into a body cavity
US8357085B2 (en) 2009-03-31 2013-01-22 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Devices and methods for providing access into a body cavity
US8361109B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2013-01-29 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Multi-planar obturator with foldable retractor
US8376938B2 (en) 2009-11-20 2013-02-19 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Discrete flexion head for single port device
US8414483B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-04-09 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access into a body cavity
US8419635B2 (en) 2009-04-08 2013-04-16 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Surgical access device having removable and replaceable components
GB2495534A (en) * 2011-10-13 2013-04-17 Neosurgical Ltd Laparoscopic system with expandable housing
US8435174B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-05-07 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for accessing a body cavity
DE102011055129A1 (en) * 2011-11-08 2013-05-08 Aesculap Ag Surgical Access Device and Surgical Access System
US8444557B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-05-21 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site
US8460186B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-06-11 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site
US8465422B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2013-06-18 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Retractor with integrated wound closure
US8475490B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2013-07-02 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site
US8480683B2 (en) 2009-11-24 2013-07-09 Covidien Lp Foam introduction system including modified port geometry
US8500633B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-08-06 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing surgical access through tissue to a surgical site
US8517932B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-08-27 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site
US8574153B2 (en) 2009-03-20 2013-11-05 Covidien Lp Flexible port seal
US8740904B2 (en) 2009-11-24 2014-06-03 Covidien Lp Seal anchor introducer including biasing member
US8795163B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2014-08-05 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Interlocking seal components
US8870904B2 (en) 2001-08-14 2014-10-28 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Access sealing apparatus and method
US8888693B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2014-11-18 Atropos Limited Instrument access device
US8894571B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2014-11-25 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Single port access system
US8911366B2 (en) 2000-10-19 2014-12-16 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical access apparatus and method
US8932213B2 (en) 2009-10-01 2015-01-13 Covidien Lp Seal anchor with non-parallel lumens
US8932214B2 (en) 2003-02-25 2015-01-13 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical access system
US8961410B2 (en) 2007-05-11 2015-02-24 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical retractor with gel pad
US8973583B2 (en) 2002-06-05 2015-03-10 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor
US9017251B2 (en) 2011-01-24 2015-04-28 Covidien Lp Access assembly insertion device
US9017254B2 (en) 2005-10-14 2015-04-28 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Hand access laparoscopic device
US9022928B2 (en) 2011-03-18 2015-05-05 Covidien Lp Wound protector including balloon within incision
US9078695B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2015-07-14 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for accessing a body cavity using a surgical access device with modular seal components
US9095300B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2015-08-04 Atropos Limited Wound retractor device
USD738500S1 (en) 2008-10-02 2015-09-08 Covidien Lp Seal anchor for use in surgical procedures
US9192366B2 (en) 2011-05-10 2015-11-24 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor
US9271753B2 (en) 2002-08-08 2016-03-01 Atropos Limited Surgical device
US9271639B2 (en) 2012-02-29 2016-03-01 Covidien Lp Surgical introducer and access port assembly
US9289115B2 (en) 2010-10-01 2016-03-22 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US9289200B2 (en) 2010-10-01 2016-03-22 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US9307976B2 (en) 2002-10-04 2016-04-12 Atropos Limited Wound retractor
US9351759B2 (en) 2007-06-05 2016-05-31 Atropos Limited Instrument access device
US9408597B2 (en) 2007-06-05 2016-08-09 Atropos Limited Instrument access device
US9451980B2 (en) 2010-12-20 2016-09-27 Covidien Lp Hand access device
US9486197B2 (en) 2010-12-20 2016-11-08 Covidien Lp Two-part access assembly
US9642608B2 (en) 2014-07-18 2017-05-09 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Gels having permanent tack free coatings and method of manufacture
US9669153B2 (en) 2001-08-14 2017-06-06 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Method of manufacturing a tack-free gel for a surgical device
US9707011B2 (en) 2014-11-12 2017-07-18 Covidien Lp Attachments for use with a surgical access device
US9949730B2 (en) 2014-11-25 2018-04-24 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Circumferential wound retraction with support and guidance structures
US10064649B2 (en) 2014-07-07 2018-09-04 Covidien Lp Pleated seal for surgical hand or instrument access
US10172641B2 (en) 2014-08-15 2019-01-08 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US10368908B2 (en) 2015-09-15 2019-08-06 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical robotic access system
US10575840B2 (en) 2015-10-07 2020-03-03 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor with multi-segment outer ring
US10675056B2 (en) 2017-09-07 2020-06-09 Covidien Lp Access apparatus with integrated fluid connector and control valve
US10674896B2 (en) 2016-09-12 2020-06-09 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical robotic access system for irregularly shaped robotic actuators and associated robotic surgical instruments
US10792071B2 (en) 2019-02-11 2020-10-06 Covidien Lp Seals for surgical access assemblies
US10828065B2 (en) 2017-08-28 2020-11-10 Covidien Lp Surgical access system
US11000313B2 (en) 2019-04-25 2021-05-11 Covidien Lp Seals for surgical access devices
US11160682B2 (en) 2017-06-19 2021-11-02 Covidien Lp Method and apparatus for accessing matter disposed within an internal body vessel
US11166748B2 (en) 2019-02-11 2021-11-09 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11259840B2 (en) 2019-06-21 2022-03-01 Covidien Lp Valve assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11259841B2 (en) 2019-06-21 2022-03-01 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
KR20220057048A (en) * 2020-10-29 2022-05-09 김응석 Air infusion stopper for chest catheter
US11357542B2 (en) 2019-06-21 2022-06-14 Covidien Lp Valve assembly and retainer for surgical access assembly
US11389193B2 (en) 2018-10-02 2022-07-19 Covidien Lp Surgical access device with fascial closure system
US11399865B2 (en) 2019-08-02 2022-08-02 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11413065B2 (en) 2019-06-28 2022-08-16 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11413068B2 (en) 2019-05-09 2022-08-16 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11432843B2 (en) 2019-09-09 2022-09-06 Covidien Lp Centering mechanisms for a surgical access assembly
US11446058B2 (en) 2020-03-27 2022-09-20 Covidien Lp Fixture device for folding a seal member
US11457949B2 (en) 2018-10-12 2022-10-04 Covidien Lp Surgical access device and seal guard for use therewith
US11464540B2 (en) 2020-01-17 2022-10-11 Covidien Lp Surgical access device with fixation mechanism
US11471142B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2022-10-18 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Mechanical gel surgical access device
US11523842B2 (en) 2019-09-09 2022-12-13 Covidien Lp Reusable surgical port with disposable seal assembly
US11529170B2 (en) 2020-04-29 2022-12-20 Covidien Lp Expandable surgical access port
US11576701B2 (en) 2020-03-05 2023-02-14 Covidien Lp Surgical access assembly having a pump
US11622790B2 (en) 2020-05-21 2023-04-11 Covidien Lp Obturators for surgical access assemblies and methods of assembly thereof
US11717321B2 (en) 2020-04-24 2023-08-08 Covidien Lp Access assembly with retention mechanism
US11751908B2 (en) 2020-06-19 2023-09-12 Covidien Lp Seal assembly for surgical access assemblies
US11812991B2 (en) 2019-10-18 2023-11-14 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies

Families Citing this family (255)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995007056A2 (en) * 1993-09-06 1995-03-16 Encoret Limited Apparatus for use in surgery and a valve
US5634911A (en) * 1995-05-19 1997-06-03 General Surgical Innovations, Inc. Screw-type skin seal with inflatable membrane
US5634937A (en) 1995-05-19 1997-06-03 General Surgical Innovations, Inc. Skin seal with inflatable membrane
US5997515A (en) 1995-05-19 1999-12-07 General Surgical Innovations, Inc. Screw-type skin seal with inflatable membrane
US5782817A (en) * 1995-11-06 1998-07-21 Cordis Corporation Catheter introducer having toroidal valve
US5785715A (en) * 1995-12-07 1998-07-28 Schatz; Richard A. Retrieval shuttle
US6106531A (en) * 1995-12-07 2000-08-22 Schatz; Richard A. Retrieval shuttle
US6451041B1 (en) 1996-02-29 2002-09-17 Stephen P. Moenning Apparatus for protecting a port site opening in the wall of a body cavity and reducing electrosurgical injuries
US5951588A (en) * 1996-02-29 1999-09-14 Moenning; Stephen P. Apparatus and method for protecting a port site opening in the wall of a body cavity
US5941898A (en) * 1996-02-29 1999-08-24 Stephen P. Moenning Apparatus and method for moving sealing members of a medical apparatus between a first orientation and a second orientation
EP0900051A1 (en) * 1996-05-08 1999-03-10 Salviac Limited An occluder device
US6027509A (en) * 1996-10-03 2000-02-22 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Stent retrieval device
US5875782A (en) * 1996-11-14 1999-03-02 Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc. Methods and devices for minimally invasive coronary artery revascularization on a beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass
CH692240A5 (en) 1997-03-26 2002-04-15 Disetronic Licensing Ag Catheter system for transdermal passage devices.
US5906577A (en) * 1997-04-30 1999-05-25 University Of Massachusetts Device, surgical access port, and method of retracting an incision into an opening and providing a channel through the incision
US6440063B1 (en) 1997-04-30 2002-08-27 University Of Massachusetts Surgical access port and laparoscopic surgical method
US6255776B1 (en) 1997-05-01 2001-07-03 Phillips Plastics Corporation Display device and method therefor
EP0979598A1 (en) 1997-05-01 2000-02-16 Phillips Plastics Corporation Display device and method therefor
DE69838231T2 (en) 1997-05-02 2008-05-08 United States Surgical Corp., Norwalk The cannula assembly
US6099506A (en) * 1997-09-26 2000-08-08 Macoviak; John A. Introducer and perfusion cannula
US5928246A (en) * 1997-10-15 1999-07-27 Bsc Northwest Technology Center, Inc. Stent securing catheter
US6197002B1 (en) 1997-12-10 2001-03-06 Phillips Plastics Corporation Laparoscopic tool and method
US6004303A (en) * 1997-12-10 1999-12-21 Phillips Plastics Corporation Choker catheter
US6042573A (en) * 1997-12-11 2000-03-28 Smith & Nephew, Inc. Surgical valve
US5989224A (en) 1998-02-23 1999-11-23 Dexide Corporation Universal seal for use with endoscopic cannula
US7641670B2 (en) * 1998-08-20 2010-01-05 Zimmer Spine, Inc. Cannula for receiving surgical instruments
US7344547B2 (en) * 1998-09-15 2008-03-18 Phavel Systems, Inc. Laparoscopic instruments and trocar systems and related surgical method
US6402748B1 (en) 1998-09-23 2002-06-11 Sherwood Services Ag Electrosurgical device having a dielectrical seal
US7537564B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2009-05-26 Atropos Limited Wound retractor device
US20070004968A1 (en) * 1998-12-01 2007-01-04 Frank Bonadio Seal for a cannula
IE991013A1 (en) * 1998-12-01 2000-07-12 Atropos Ltd A Device
US7125403B2 (en) * 1998-12-08 2006-10-24 Intuitive Surgical In vivo accessories for minimally invasive robotic surgery
US6620173B2 (en) * 1998-12-08 2003-09-16 Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Method for introducing an end effector to a surgical site in minimally invasive surgery
US6770081B1 (en) * 2000-01-07 2004-08-03 Intuitive Surgical, Inc. In vivo accessories for minimally invasive robotic surgery and methods
US6309397B1 (en) * 1999-12-02 2001-10-30 Sri International Accessories for minimally invasive robotic surgery and methods
US6086603A (en) * 1998-12-14 2000-07-11 Syntheon, Llc Luminal port device having internal and external sealing mechanisms
SE9900454D0 (en) 1999-02-10 1999-02-10 Safe Conduct Ab trocar
IES990218A2 (en) * 1999-03-18 2000-11-15 Gaya Ltd A surgical device
DE19912434B4 (en) 1999-03-19 2013-10-24 Roche Diagnostics Gmbh Infusion device, catheter device and catheter head
US6592602B1 (en) 1999-10-08 2003-07-15 General Surgical Innovations, Inc. Balloon dissection apparatus
US20050203346A1 (en) * 1999-10-14 2005-09-15 Frank Bonadio Wound retractor device
US6447489B1 (en) 2000-01-18 2002-09-10 Ethicon Endo-Surgey, Inc. Laparoscopic access tool with gas seal
US8398666B2 (en) * 2000-05-16 2013-03-19 Teleflex Medical Incorporated Penetrating tip for trocar assembly
US6884253B1 (en) 2000-05-16 2005-04-26 Taut, Inc. Penetrating tip for trocar assembly
WO2001091652A1 (en) * 2000-06-01 2001-12-06 Atropos Limited An invaginator apparatus
US6811546B1 (en) * 2000-08-25 2004-11-02 Origin Medsystems, Inc. Endoscopic surgical access port and method
US6632237B2 (en) * 2001-01-11 2003-10-14 Bio-Seal Tech, Inc. Device and method for sealing a puncture in a blood vessel
US20040054355A1 (en) * 2001-05-31 2004-03-18 Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Tool guide and method for introducing an end effector to a surgical site in minimally invasive surgery
US6958037B2 (en) 2001-10-20 2005-10-25 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retraction apparatus and method
CA2475213C (en) * 2002-02-08 2009-02-24 Taut, Inc. Introducer assembly for medical instruments
US7846149B2 (en) * 2002-04-15 2010-12-07 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Instrument introducer
WO2003094994A2 (en) * 2002-05-09 2003-11-20 Tyco Healthcare Group, Lp Adjustable balloon anchoring trocar
WO2004010883A1 (en) 2002-07-25 2004-02-05 Sherwood Services Ag Electrosurgical pencil with drag sensing capability
EP1610696B1 (en) 2002-09-19 2007-06-13 Atropos Limited A wound retractor system
US8382793B2 (en) * 2003-01-14 2013-02-26 Radi Medical Systems Ab Introducer sheath
EP1593337B1 (en) * 2003-02-11 2008-08-13 Olympus Corporation Overtube
US20040215177A1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2004-10-28 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Therapeutic apparatus having insulated region at the insertion area
EP1617755A4 (en) * 2003-04-25 2012-10-24 Tyco Healthcare Surgical hand access apparatus
US7811274B2 (en) 2003-05-07 2010-10-12 Portaero, Inc. Method for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
US7426929B2 (en) 2003-05-20 2008-09-23 Portaero, Inc. Intra/extra-thoracic collateral ventilation bypass system and method
US7252086B2 (en) 2003-06-03 2007-08-07 Cordis Corporation Lung reduction system
US7377278B2 (en) 2003-06-05 2008-05-27 Portaero, Inc. Intra-thoracic collateral ventilation bypass system and method
US7682332B2 (en) 2003-07-15 2010-03-23 Portaero, Inc. Methods to accelerate wound healing in thoracic anastomosis applications
EP1834596A3 (en) * 2003-07-15 2007-09-26 Respira, Inc. Methods and devices to accelerate wound healing in thoracic anastomosis applications
US7163510B2 (en) * 2003-09-17 2007-01-16 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical instrument access device
IL157981A (en) 2003-09-17 2014-01-30 Elcam Medical Agricultural Cooperative Ass Ltd Auto-injector
US7753901B2 (en) * 2004-07-21 2010-07-13 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Laparoscopic instrument and cannula assembly and related surgical method
US8764765B2 (en) 2003-09-23 2014-07-01 Covidien Lp Laparoscopic instrument and related surgical method
US7850600B1 (en) 2003-09-23 2010-12-14 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Laparoscopic instrument and trocar system and related surgical method
WO2005044111A2 (en) * 2003-11-05 2005-05-19 Atropos Limited A surgical sealing device
US20050101839A1 (en) * 2003-11-11 2005-05-12 Bertolero Arthur A. Thorax mounted stabilization platform
US7294103B2 (en) * 2003-11-12 2007-11-13 Endoscopic Technologies, Inc. Retractor with inflatable blades
US20050165427A1 (en) * 2004-01-22 2005-07-28 Jahns Scott E. Vessel sealing devices
IL160891A0 (en) 2004-03-16 2004-08-31 Auto-mix needle
WO2006014566A2 (en) * 2004-07-08 2006-02-09 Cliniwave, Inc. Rolling tube apparatus and method for treating a wound
US8961407B2 (en) * 2004-07-21 2015-02-24 Covidien Lp Surgical port assembly
US8888695B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2014-11-18 Covidien Lp Laparoscopic port assembly
US8241251B2 (en) 2004-08-25 2012-08-14 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Gel seal for a surgical trocar apparatus
EP1799130A1 (en) * 2004-09-14 2007-06-27 Uromedica, Inc. Implantation tool for adjustable implantable genitourinary device
WO2006034436A2 (en) 2004-09-21 2006-03-30 Stout Medical Group, L.P. Expandable support device and method of use
US7618410B2 (en) * 2004-10-05 2009-11-17 Cardia Access, Inc. Devices and methods for access through a tissue wall
US8220460B2 (en) 2004-11-19 2012-07-17 Portaero, Inc. Evacuation device and method for creating a localized pleurodesis
US8460178B2 (en) * 2004-11-30 2013-06-11 Atul Kumar Method and system for minimizing leakage of a distending medium during endoscopic procedures
US7811253B2 (en) * 2004-12-09 2010-10-12 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Insufflation gas warmer and humidifier
US7824366B2 (en) 2004-12-10 2010-11-02 Portaero, Inc. Collateral ventilation device with chest tube/evacuation features and method
US7597688B1 (en) * 2004-12-27 2009-10-06 Masson Marcos V Cannula apparatus with inflatable seal and adjustable length
US20060149137A1 (en) * 2005-01-05 2006-07-06 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Easily placeable and removable wound retractor
US8016839B2 (en) * 2005-01-26 2011-09-13 Wilk Patent, Llc Intra-abdominal medical procedures and device
US20060184199A1 (en) * 2005-02-14 2006-08-17 O'leary Shawn Apparatus and methods for reducing bleeding from a cannulation site
WO2006101715A2 (en) * 2005-03-18 2006-09-28 Wilk Patent, Llc Intra-abdominal medical device and associated method
US7837612B2 (en) * 2005-04-08 2010-11-23 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Tissue suspension device
US7963941B2 (en) * 2005-04-12 2011-06-21 Wilk Peter J Intra-abdominal medical method and associated device
US20060241671A1 (en) * 2005-04-20 2006-10-26 Stout Medical Group, Llc Self-sealing surgical access port
US20060241651A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-26 Wilk Patent, Llc Surgical port device and associated method
US7785251B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2010-08-31 Wilk Patent, Llc Port extraction method for trans-organ surgery
DE102005026467A1 (en) * 2005-06-09 2006-12-14 University Of Dundee Apparatus for providing transcutaneous access to an endoscopic surgical field
US7500974B2 (en) 2005-06-28 2009-03-10 Covidien Ag Electrode with rotatably deployable sheath
US8104474B2 (en) 2005-08-23 2012-01-31 Portaero, Inc. Collateral ventilation bypass system with retention features
US20070060884A1 (en) * 2005-09-13 2007-03-15 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Apparatus for insertion between a medical tube and a body tissue opening
US7406963B2 (en) 2006-01-17 2008-08-05 Portaero, Inc. Variable resistance pulmonary ventilation bypass valve and method
US9011319B2 (en) * 2006-03-03 2015-04-21 Axcess Instruments, Inc. Conical laparoscopic apparatus for minimally invasive surgery
US8961406B2 (en) 2009-03-06 2015-02-24 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Surgical access devices and methods providing seal movement in predefined movement regions
US8425410B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2013-04-23 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Surgical access device with protective element
US20100081863A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for performing gastrectomies and gastroplasties
US8821391B2 (en) * 2009-03-06 2014-09-02 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access into a body cavity
US8206294B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2012-06-26 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Surgical access device with flexible seal channel
US8926506B2 (en) 2009-03-06 2015-01-06 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access into a body cavity
US8485970B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2013-07-16 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Surgical access device
US20100081883A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for performing gastroplasties using a multiple port access device
US8251900B2 (en) * 2009-03-06 2012-08-28 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Surgical access devices and methods providing seal movement in predefined paths
US8430811B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2013-04-30 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Multiple port surgical access device
DE202006005951U1 (en) * 2006-04-12 2006-06-29 Göbel, Fred, Dr. med. Closure system for the supply of rectal and anal incontinence
DE102006021974A1 (en) * 2006-05-03 2007-11-08 Karl Storz Gmbh & Co. Kg Seal for a trocar sleeve and such Trokarhülse
US8517933B2 (en) * 2006-06-13 2013-08-27 Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. Retraction of tissue for single port entry, robotically assisted medical procedures
US20080011307A1 (en) * 2006-07-12 2008-01-17 Beckman Andrew T Hand assisted laparoscopic device
US7806870B2 (en) * 2006-10-06 2010-10-05 Surgiquest, Incorporated Elastically deformable surgical access device having telescoping guide tube
US7798998B2 (en) * 2006-10-06 2010-09-21 Surgiquest, Inc. Elastically deformable surgical access device
US20080173568A1 (en) * 2006-09-20 2008-07-24 Mohamed Brageeth Kit suitable for use in a surgical procedure and methods for using the same
US8795235B2 (en) * 2006-10-06 2014-08-05 Surgiquest, Inc. Devices for and methods of performing minimally-invasive surgical procedures through a single incision
US20080097332A1 (en) * 2006-10-18 2008-04-24 Stout Medical Group L.P. Surgical access port
US20080109010A1 (en) * 2006-11-07 2008-05-08 Femsuite, Llc Apparatus for cervical manipulation and methods of use
US7749161B2 (en) * 2006-12-01 2010-07-06 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Hand assisted laparoscopic device
EP2117630A4 (en) * 2007-02-20 2013-08-07 Covidien Lp Flexible external cannula sheath
ES2948209T3 (en) * 2007-02-22 2023-09-06 Convatec Technologies Inc Sealing for rectal or ostomy device
US9687271B2 (en) 2007-02-23 2017-06-27 Axcess Instruments, Inc. Uniport having a one-piece body anchor and an elongated surgical instrument passageway for use in single site surgical procedures
JP5171076B2 (en) * 2007-03-14 2013-03-27 富士フイルム株式会社 Endoscope device
PL2124831T3 (en) 2007-03-15 2017-03-31 Ortho-Space Ltd. Prosthetic devices
US8163034B2 (en) 2007-05-11 2012-04-24 Portaero, Inc. Methods and devices to create a chemically and/or mechanically localized pleurodesis
ES2623049T3 (en) 2007-05-11 2017-07-10 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical retractor
US7931641B2 (en) 2007-05-11 2011-04-26 Portaero, Inc. Visceral pleura ring connector
US8062315B2 (en) 2007-05-17 2011-11-22 Portaero, Inc. Variable parietal/visceral pleural coupling
ES2557882T3 (en) 2007-06-05 2016-01-29 Atropos Limited Instrument Access Device
US20090043314A1 (en) * 2007-07-16 2009-02-12 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Access device for body tissue and method of using same
US20090069837A1 (en) * 2007-08-20 2009-03-12 Atropos Limited Hand and instrument access device
US8419763B2 (en) * 2007-09-13 2013-04-16 Pivot Medical, Inc. Safety needle for accessing the interior of a hip joint
US20090076465A1 (en) * 2007-09-17 2009-03-19 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Composite seal and method for manufacturing
US8357123B2 (en) * 2007-09-17 2013-01-22 Covidien Lp Surgical portal with gel and fabric seal assembly
US20100100043A1 (en) * 2007-10-05 2010-04-22 Racenet Danyel J Flexible Access Device For Use In Surgical Procedure
US20090093682A1 (en) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-09 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Surgical portal with foam and fabric composite seal assembly
US20090093683A1 (en) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-09 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Surgical portal kit for use in single incision surgery
US8118784B2 (en) * 2007-10-30 2012-02-21 Cook Medical Technologies Llc Haemostatic valve
EP2237815B1 (en) 2008-01-22 2020-08-19 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical instrument access device
US8475389B2 (en) 2008-02-19 2013-07-02 Portaero, Inc. Methods and devices for assessment of pneumostoma function
US8336540B2 (en) 2008-02-19 2012-12-25 Portaero, Inc. Pneumostoma management device and method for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
WO2009105432A2 (en) 2008-02-19 2009-08-27 Portaero, Inc. Devices and methods for delivery of a therapeutic agent through a pneumostoma
AU2009222028A1 (en) * 2008-03-03 2009-09-11 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Balloon trocar advanced fixation
US8858528B2 (en) 2008-04-23 2014-10-14 Ncontact Surgical, Inc. Articulating cannula access device
US8252013B2 (en) * 2008-04-30 2012-08-28 Kyphon Sarl Expandable surgical access device and methods of use
US8267951B2 (en) 2008-06-12 2012-09-18 Ncontact Surgical, Inc. Dissecting cannula and methods of use thereof
US9028448B2 (en) 2008-06-19 2015-05-12 Covidien Lp Access seal with interstitial channels
US10045877B2 (en) * 2008-06-19 2018-08-14 Convatec Technologies Inc. Ostomy appliances for effluent control
US8795161B2 (en) 2008-06-25 2014-08-05 Covidien Lp Button port
US8025640B2 (en) * 2008-06-27 2011-09-27 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Pressurized surgical valve
US9291565B2 (en) * 2008-07-24 2016-03-22 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Three dimensional scanning using membrane with optical features
US9170199B2 (en) 2008-07-24 2015-10-27 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Enhanced sensors in three dimensional scanning system
US9140649B2 (en) 2008-07-24 2015-09-22 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Inflatable membrane having non-uniform inflation characteristic
US9170200B2 (en) 2008-07-24 2015-10-27 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Inflatable membrane with hazard mitigation
US20100023026A1 (en) * 2008-07-25 2010-01-28 Zeiner Mark S Reloadable laparoscopic fastener deploying device with disposable cartridge for use in a gastric volume reduction procedure
US20100023024A1 (en) * 2008-07-25 2010-01-28 Zeiner Mark S Reloadable laparoscopic fastener deploying device with disposable cartridge for use in a gastric volume reduction procedure
US20100023022A1 (en) * 2008-07-25 2010-01-28 Zeiner Mark S Reloadable laparoscopic fastener deploying device with disposable cartridge use in a gastric volume reduction procedure
US20100023025A1 (en) * 2008-07-25 2010-01-28 Zeiner Mark S Reloadable laparoscopic fastener deploying device with disposable cartridge for use in a gastric volume reduction procedure
US8328761B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2012-12-11 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Variable surgical access device
WO2010042915A2 (en) * 2008-10-10 2010-04-15 Surgiquest, Inc. Low-profile surgical access devices with anchoring
ES2723024T3 (en) 2008-10-10 2019-08-21 Surgiquest Incorporated Devices for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures through a single incision
US8347881B2 (en) 2009-01-08 2013-01-08 Portaero, Inc. Pneumostoma management device with integrated patency sensor and method
US8375955B2 (en) 2009-02-06 2013-02-19 Atropos Limited Surgical procedure
US8518053B2 (en) 2009-02-11 2013-08-27 Portaero, Inc. Surgical instruments for creating a pneumostoma and treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
US9737334B2 (en) 2009-03-06 2017-08-22 Ethicon Llc Methods and devices for accessing a body cavity
US20100249521A1 (en) * 2009-03-31 2010-09-30 Shelton Iv Frederick E Access Device Including Retractor And Insert
US8323184B2 (en) 2009-03-31 2012-12-04 Covidien Lp Surgical access port and associated introducer mechanism
US8353824B2 (en) * 2009-03-31 2013-01-15 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Access method with insert
US8945163B2 (en) 2009-04-01 2015-02-03 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for cutting and fastening tissue
US20100261972A1 (en) * 2009-04-08 2010-10-14 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Surgical Access Device with One Time Seal
US20100274093A1 (en) * 2009-04-22 2010-10-28 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for identifying sealing port size
US20100280327A1 (en) * 2009-05-04 2010-11-04 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site
US8206358B2 (en) * 2009-05-06 2012-06-26 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Ring and seal for trocar
US20100298646A1 (en) * 2009-05-19 2010-11-25 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Flexible access assembly with reinforced lumen
US20100312189A1 (en) * 2009-06-05 2010-12-09 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Flexible cannula devices and methods
US20110021877A1 (en) * 2009-07-24 2011-01-27 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Surgical port and frangible introducer assembly
US20110028794A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2011-02-03 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access into a body cavity
US8257252B2 (en) 2009-08-06 2012-09-04 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Elongated seal anchor for use in surgical procedures
US20110054258A1 (en) * 2009-08-31 2011-03-03 O'keefe Jonathan B Foam port introducer
EP3636183B1 (en) 2009-08-31 2023-06-28 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Multifunctional surgical access system
US9474540B2 (en) 2009-10-08 2016-10-25 Ethicon-Endo-Surgery, Inc. Laparoscopic device with compound angulation
US9011326B2 (en) 2009-11-14 2015-04-21 Spiway Llc Soft tissue shield for trans-orbital surgery
US20110118551A1 (en) * 2009-11-14 2011-05-19 SPI Surgical, Inc. Collateral soft tissue protection surgical device
US8986201B2 (en) 2009-11-14 2015-03-24 Spiway Llc Surgical tissue protection sheath
US9451981B2 (en) 2009-11-14 2016-09-27 Spiway Llc Surgical tissue protection sheath
US20110118553A1 (en) * 2009-11-19 2011-05-19 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Access device including an integrated light source
US20110166423A1 (en) * 2010-01-07 2011-07-07 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Foam port introduction system including dilator
US20110196206A1 (en) * 2010-02-05 2011-08-11 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Port fixation with varying thread diameter
US9017252B2 (en) 2010-04-12 2015-04-28 Covidien Lp Access assembly with flexible cannulas
US8821390B2 (en) 2010-04-12 2014-09-02 Covidien Lp Surgical access method and assembly including sleeve and port
US9855031B2 (en) 2010-04-13 2018-01-02 Neosurgical Limited Suture delivery system
GB2486497B (en) * 2010-12-17 2013-06-19 Neosurgical Ltd Laparoscopic trocar system
US9226760B2 (en) 2010-05-07 2016-01-05 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Laparoscopic devices with flexible actuation mechanisms
US8562592B2 (en) 2010-05-07 2013-10-22 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Compound angle laparoscopic methods and devices
WO2011141815A2 (en) * 2010-05-11 2011-11-17 Abviser Medical, Llc Percutaneously deployed abdominal drain
US8535380B2 (en) 2010-05-13 2013-09-17 Stout Medical Group, L.P. Fixation device and method
US8460337B2 (en) 2010-06-09 2013-06-11 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Selectable handle biasing
US9022926B2 (en) 2010-11-23 2015-05-05 Covidien Lp Reinforced flexible access assembly
US20120130177A1 (en) * 2010-11-23 2012-05-24 Michael Davis Portal assembly with adjustable height
US8668642B2 (en) 2010-11-23 2014-03-11 Covidien Lp Port device including retractable endoscope cleaner
US8864659B2 (en) 2010-11-23 2014-10-21 Covidien Lp Seal anchor for use in surgical procedures
US8968191B2 (en) * 2010-11-24 2015-03-03 Covidien Lp Expandable access assembly including an internal thread mechanism
US8968188B2 (en) 2010-11-24 2015-03-03 Covidien Lp Expandable segmented and sectioned access assembly
US8641610B2 (en) 2010-12-20 2014-02-04 Covidien Lp Access assembly with translating lumens
US20120157783A1 (en) * 2010-12-20 2012-06-21 Greg Okoniewski Self deploying bodily opening protector
US8602983B2 (en) 2010-12-20 2013-12-10 Covidien Lp Access assembly having undercut structure
US8696557B2 (en) 2010-12-21 2014-04-15 Covidien Lp Access assembly including inflatable seal member
US8888691B2 (en) * 2011-01-24 2014-11-18 Covidien Lp Expanding surgical access port
US20120245510A1 (en) * 2011-03-22 2012-09-27 Rakower Stephen R Adhesiolysis system
US9549758B2 (en) 2011-03-23 2017-01-24 Covidien Lp Surgical access assembly with adapter
US9259240B2 (en) 2011-03-29 2016-02-16 Covidien Lp Articulating surgical access system for laparoscopic surgery
US10322253B2 (en) 2011-03-29 2019-06-18 Teleflex Life Sciences Unlimited Company Ballooned ventilation tube cleaning device
GB201119794D0 (en) 2011-11-16 2011-12-28 Airway Medix Spolka Z O O Ballooned ventilation tube cleaning device
US9078696B2 (en) 2011-05-02 2015-07-14 Covidien Lp Surgical retractor including polygonal rolling structure
US9161807B2 (en) 2011-05-23 2015-10-20 Covidien Lp Apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure
WO2013009957A1 (en) * 2011-07-13 2013-01-17 Covidien Lp Surgical access apparatus and adapter
US9227084B2 (en) * 2011-09-29 2016-01-05 Radiadyne Llc Universal balloon for brachytherapy applicator
WO2013057566A2 (en) 2011-10-18 2013-04-25 Ortho-Space Ltd. Prosthetic devices and methods for using same
US9028403B2 (en) * 2012-01-19 2015-05-12 Covidien Lp Access port having rollable proximal end
US9017249B2 (en) 2012-03-26 2015-04-28 Covidien Lp Surgical access assembly and method of use therefor
US20130269705A1 (en) 2012-04-16 2013-10-17 Thomas C. Kochem Variable stiffness flexure
US20140200591A1 (en) * 2013-01-11 2014-07-17 Hologic, Inc. Cervical sealing apparatus
EP2754461B1 (en) * 2013-01-14 2017-12-13 Teleflex Medical Incorporated Suction catheter device
US9333111B2 (en) 2013-02-04 2016-05-10 Hologic, Inc. Fundus bumper mechanical reference for easier mechanism deployment
US11039735B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2021-06-22 Spiway Llc Surgical tissue protection sheath
US9895192B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2018-02-20 Hologic, Inc. Intrauterine treatment device with articulating array
US10986984B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2021-04-27 Spiway Llc Surgical tissue protection sheath
EP2999419B1 (en) 2013-05-22 2020-12-23 Covidien LP Apparatus for controlling surgical instruments using a port assembly
US9408631B2 (en) 2013-09-27 2016-08-09 Depuy Mitek, Llc Flexible cannula and obturator
US11317795B2 (en) * 2014-01-07 2022-05-03 Guy Livnat Respiratory tube insertion method
KR101585569B1 (en) * 2014-05-14 2016-01-15 정창욱 Trocar
CN107072652B (en) * 2014-06-18 2019-08-02 哈佛学院院长及董事 Soft retractor
US10500360B1 (en) 2014-08-29 2019-12-10 Teleflex Life Sciences Unlimited Company Catheter for cleaning of tracheal ventilation tubes
US10299827B2 (en) 2015-05-11 2019-05-28 Arthrex, Inc. Arthroscopy cannula with one or more inflatable components
JP6564639B2 (en) * 2015-07-16 2019-08-21 テルモ株式会社 Hemostatic device
US10959761B2 (en) 2015-09-18 2021-03-30 Ortho-Space Ltd. Intramedullary fixated subacromial spacers
WO2017072663A1 (en) * 2015-10-26 2017-05-04 Ronen Jaffe A catheter and a retrieval system using the catheter
KR101610776B1 (en) 2015-11-05 2016-04-08 정창욱 Trocar
KR101576133B1 (en) 2015-11-05 2015-12-09 정창욱 Trocar
US11452831B2 (en) 2016-01-06 2022-09-27 Airway Medix S.A. Closed suction system
GB2546082B (en) 2016-01-06 2018-05-16 Airway Medix S A Closed suction system
US10946153B2 (en) 2016-05-16 2021-03-16 Teleflex Life Sciences Pte. Ltd. Mechanical user control elements for fluid input module
US11045981B2 (en) 2017-01-30 2021-06-29 Ortho-Space Ltd. Processing machine and methods for processing dip-molded articles
US10874426B2 (en) 2017-02-10 2020-12-29 Covidien Lp Seal assembly with integral filter and evacuation port
US20190274729A1 (en) * 2018-03-07 2019-09-12 Edward J. Mikol Surgical cannula with bellows
US11583313B1 (en) 2018-12-06 2023-02-21 Spiway Llc Surgical access sheath and methods of use
US10932767B2 (en) 2018-12-07 2021-03-02 Covidien Lp Surgical access assembly and method of use therefor
CN109833081B (en) * 2018-12-17 2020-05-26 江苏人冠医疗科技有限公司 Gas filling and recycling system for laparoscopic surgery
US20210259730A1 (en) * 2020-02-25 2021-08-26 Covidien Lp Surgical access assembly having a button inflator
US11642153B2 (en) 2020-03-19 2023-05-09 Covidien Lp Instrument seal for surgical access assembly
US11541218B2 (en) 2020-03-20 2023-01-03 Covidien Lp Seal assembly for a surgical access assembly and method of manufacturing the same
WO2022150592A1 (en) * 2021-01-10 2022-07-14 Ma Eric Hsinhua Neutron capture therapy system and device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4555242A (en) * 1984-01-19 1985-11-26 Saudagar Abdul S Urinary drainage appliance
US5366478A (en) * 1993-07-27 1994-11-22 Ethicon, Inc. Endoscopic surgical sealing device
US5413571A (en) * 1992-07-16 1995-05-09 Sherwood Medical Company Device for sealing hemostatic incisions

Family Cites Families (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1690995A (en) 1927-12-28 1928-11-06 Monte Lloyd Corp Anorectal dilator
US3050066A (en) * 1958-12-31 1962-08-21 Wilbur R Koehn Retention catheters
US3402710A (en) * 1966-06-27 1968-09-24 Hydra Power Corp Self-closing valve device for implantation in the human body
US3797478A (en) * 1972-07-11 1974-03-19 M Walsh Multi-functional valve for use in the urethra
US3970089A (en) * 1974-08-05 1976-07-20 Saice Dwayne D Cardiovascular catheter seal device
US4796629A (en) * 1987-06-03 1989-01-10 Joseph Grayzel Stiffened dilation balloon catheter device
US4946440A (en) * 1988-10-05 1990-08-07 Hall John E Evertible membrane catheter and method of use
US4932959A (en) * 1988-12-01 1990-06-12 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Vascular catheter with releasably secured guidewire
US5514153A (en) * 1990-03-02 1996-05-07 General Surgical Innovations, Inc. Method of dissecting tissue layers
US5429609A (en) * 1990-07-26 1995-07-04 Yoon; Inbae Endoscopic portal for use in endoscopic procedures and methods therefor
US5161773A (en) * 1990-08-01 1992-11-10 Numed, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow
US5273545A (en) 1991-10-15 1993-12-28 Apple Medical Corporation Endoscopic cannula with tricuspid leaf valve
CA2093748C (en) 1992-04-24 1996-11-12 Roy D. Gravener Valve assembly for introducing instruments into body cavities
US5607443A (en) 1992-06-02 1997-03-04 General Surgical Innovations, Inc. Expansible tunneling apparatus for creating an anatomic working space with laparoscopic observation
US5211633A (en) * 1992-06-24 1993-05-18 Stouder Jr Albert E Selectable seal cannula
GR930100244A (en) 1992-06-30 1994-02-28 Ethicon Inc Flexible endoscopic surgical port
US5338313A (en) 1992-12-17 1994-08-16 Thomas J. Fogarty, M.D. Adjustable valve having a radially compressible sealing body
US5403336A (en) 1993-09-20 1995-04-04 General Surgical Innovations, Inc. Skin seal device and assembly thereof
US5460616A (en) 1994-04-19 1995-10-24 Cordis Corporation Catheter introducer with fluid chamber valve
US5514133A (en) 1994-08-26 1996-05-07 Golub; Robert Access device for endoscopic surgery
US5697946A (en) * 1994-10-07 1997-12-16 Origin Medsystems, Inc. Method and apparatus for anchoring laparoscopic instruments
US5634937A (en) * 1995-05-19 1997-06-03 General Surgical Innovations, Inc. Skin seal with inflatable membrane
US5545179A (en) * 1995-07-21 1996-08-13 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Endoscopic access assembly
US6004303A (en) 1997-12-10 1999-12-21 Phillips Plastics Corporation Choker catheter
US6197002B1 (en) 1997-12-10 2001-03-06 Phillips Plastics Corporation Laparoscopic tool and method

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4555242A (en) * 1984-01-19 1985-11-26 Saudagar Abdul S Urinary drainage appliance
US5413571A (en) * 1992-07-16 1995-05-09 Sherwood Medical Company Device for sealing hemostatic incisions
US5366478A (en) * 1993-07-27 1994-11-22 Ethicon, Inc. Endoscopic surgical sealing device

Cited By (165)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7195590B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2007-03-27 Atropos Limited Surgical device
US6578577B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2003-06-17 Atropos Limited Laparoscopic sealed access device
US9757110B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2017-09-12 Atropos Limited Instrument access device
US6623426B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2003-09-23 Atropos Limited Laparoscopic sealed access device
US9095300B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2015-08-04 Atropos Limited Wound retractor device
WO2000032116A1 (en) 1998-12-01 2000-06-08 Atropos Limited A surgical device for retracting and/or sealing an incision
US8888693B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2014-11-18 Atropos Limited Instrument access device
US10278688B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2019-05-07 Atropos Limited Wound retractor device
EP1958573A1 (en) 1998-12-01 2008-08-20 Atropos Limited A wound retractor device
US9700296B2 (en) 1998-12-01 2017-07-11 Atropos Limited Wound retractor device
WO2000054675A1 (en) * 1999-03-18 2000-09-21 Gaya Limited A surgical access device
WO2000054676A1 (en) * 1999-03-18 2000-09-21 Gaya Limited A surgical access device
US6972026B1 (en) 1999-03-18 2005-12-06 Gaya Limited Surgical access device
US9277908B2 (en) 1999-10-14 2016-03-08 Atropos Limited Retractor
US8986202B2 (en) 1999-10-14 2015-03-24 Atropos Limited Retractor
US6582364B2 (en) 1999-10-14 2003-06-24 Atropos Limited Retractor and method for use
US8911366B2 (en) 2000-10-19 2014-12-16 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical access apparatus and method
US8870904B2 (en) 2001-08-14 2014-10-28 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Access sealing apparatus and method
US9669153B2 (en) 2001-08-14 2017-06-06 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Method of manufacturing a tack-free gel for a surgical device
US9878140B2 (en) 2001-08-14 2018-01-30 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Access sealing apparatus and method
US9561024B2 (en) 2002-06-05 2017-02-07 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor
US8973583B2 (en) 2002-06-05 2015-03-10 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor
US10507017B2 (en) 2002-06-05 2019-12-17 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor
US9737335B2 (en) 2002-08-08 2017-08-22 Atropos Limited Device
US10405883B2 (en) 2002-08-08 2019-09-10 Atropos Limited Surgical device
US9271753B2 (en) 2002-08-08 2016-03-01 Atropos Limited Surgical device
US9307976B2 (en) 2002-10-04 2016-04-12 Atropos Limited Wound retractor
US8932214B2 (en) 2003-02-25 2015-01-13 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical access system
US9295459B2 (en) 2003-02-25 2016-03-29 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical access system
JP2006528012A (en) * 2003-07-23 2006-12-14 ミクロクッフ ジーエムビーエッチ Natural or colostomy closure system
JP4864704B2 (en) * 2003-07-23 2012-02-01 アドヴァンスド メディカル バルーンズ ゲーエムベーハー Natural or colostomy closure system
WO2006133927A2 (en) * 2005-06-17 2006-12-21 Microcuff Gmbh Device for gastric feeding and drainage via an artificial stoma
US8147449B2 (en) 2005-06-17 2012-04-03 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Device for gastric feeding and drainage via an artificial stoma
JP4890543B2 (en) * 2005-06-17 2012-03-07 キンバリー クラーク ワールドワイド インコーポレイテッド Device for gastric nutrition and excretion via an artificial stoma
AU2006257339B2 (en) * 2005-06-17 2011-04-28 Avent, Inc. Device for gastric feeding and drainage via an artificial stoma
WO2006133927A3 (en) * 2005-06-17 2007-05-18 Microcuff Gmbh Device for gastric feeding and drainage via an artificial stoma
JP2008543398A (en) * 2005-06-17 2008-12-04 マイクロカフ・ゲゼルシャフト・ミット・ベシュレンクテル・ハフツング Device for gastric nutrition and excretion via an artificial stoma
KR101301328B1 (en) * 2005-06-17 2013-08-29 킴벌리-클라크 월드와이드, 인크. Device for gastric feeding and drainage via an artificial stoma
US9649102B2 (en) 2005-10-14 2017-05-16 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor with split hoops
US9474519B2 (en) 2005-10-14 2016-10-25 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Hand access laparoscopic device
US9017254B2 (en) 2005-10-14 2015-04-28 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Hand access laparoscopic device
US9101354B2 (en) 2005-10-14 2015-08-11 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor with gel cap
US8961410B2 (en) 2007-05-11 2015-02-24 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical retractor with gel pad
US9351759B2 (en) 2007-06-05 2016-05-31 Atropos Limited Instrument access device
US10537360B2 (en) 2007-06-05 2020-01-21 Atropos Limited Instrument access device
US9408597B2 (en) 2007-06-05 2016-08-09 Atropos Limited Instrument access device
US10321934B2 (en) 2007-06-05 2019-06-18 Atropos Limited Instrument access device
EP2005907A3 (en) * 2007-06-20 2010-06-23 Lucini Surgical Concept S.r.L. Cannula device for endoscopic surgical operations
AU2008229796B2 (en) * 2007-10-05 2013-08-15 Covidien Lp Seal anchor for use in surgical procedures
USD736921S1 (en) 2007-10-05 2015-08-18 Covidien Lp Seal anchor for use in surgical procedures
US9113951B2 (en) 2007-10-05 2015-08-25 Covidien Lp Seal anchor for use in surgical procedures
CN103393449A (en) * 2007-10-05 2013-11-20 柯惠Lp公司 Seal anchor for use in surgical procedures
KR101511497B1 (en) 2007-10-05 2015-04-13 코비디엔 엘피 Seal anchor for use in surgical procedures
EP2044889A1 (en) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-08 Tyco Healthcare Group, LP Seal anchor for use in surgical procedures
US7850667B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2010-12-14 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Low profile instrument access device
EP2138117A1 (en) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-30 Tyco Healthcare Group LP Low profile instrument access device
US8092423B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2012-01-10 Tyco Healthcare Group Lp Low profile instrument access device
USD738500S1 (en) 2008-10-02 2015-09-08 Covidien Lp Seal anchor for use in surgical procedures
US8894571B2 (en) 2008-10-13 2014-11-25 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Single port access system
US8574153B2 (en) 2009-03-20 2013-11-05 Covidien Lp Flexible port seal
US8328717B2 (en) 2009-03-27 2012-12-11 Covidien Lp Seal device with adjustable aperture
US8357085B2 (en) 2009-03-31 2013-01-22 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Devices and methods for providing access into a body cavity
EP2238924A1 (en) * 2009-03-31 2010-10-13 Tyco Healthcare Group LP Foam port and introducer assembly
US8257251B2 (en) 2009-04-08 2012-09-04 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access into a body cavity
US8419635B2 (en) 2009-04-08 2013-04-16 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Surgical access device having removable and replaceable components
US8137267B2 (en) 2009-04-08 2012-03-20 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Retractor with flexible sleeve
US8033995B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2011-10-11 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Inflatable retractor with insufflation and method
US9078695B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2015-07-14 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for accessing a body cavity using a surgical access device with modular seal components
US8795163B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2014-08-05 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Interlocking seal components
US8361109B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2013-01-29 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Multi-planar obturator with foldable retractor
US8465422B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2013-06-18 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Retractor with integrated wound closure
US8475490B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2013-07-02 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site
US8241209B2 (en) 2009-06-05 2012-08-14 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Active seal components
US9744317B2 (en) 2009-10-01 2017-08-29 Covidien Lp Seal anchor with non-parallel lumens
US8932213B2 (en) 2009-10-01 2015-01-13 Covidien Lp Seal anchor with non-parallel lumens
US9017250B2 (en) 2009-10-01 2015-04-28 Covidien Lp Seal anchor with non-parallel lumens
US10532168B2 (en) 2009-10-01 2020-01-14 Covidien Lp Seal anchor with non-parallel lumens
US8932212B2 (en) 2009-10-01 2015-01-13 Covidien Lp Seal anchor with non-parallel lumens
US8376938B2 (en) 2009-11-20 2013-02-19 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Discrete flexion head for single port device
US8480683B2 (en) 2009-11-24 2013-07-09 Covidien Lp Foam introduction system including modified port geometry
US9566054B2 (en) 2009-11-24 2017-02-14 Covidien Lp Foam introduction system including modified port geometry
US8740904B2 (en) 2009-11-24 2014-06-03 Covidien Lp Seal anchor introducer including biasing member
EP2324784A1 (en) * 2009-11-24 2011-05-25 Tyco Healthcare Group LP Surgical portal and introducer assembly
US8444557B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-05-21 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site
US8517932B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-08-27 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site
US8231570B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2012-07-31 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Inverted conical expandable retractor
US8282546B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2012-10-09 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Inverted conical expandable retractor with coil spring
US8353873B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-01-15 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site
US8357088B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-01-22 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access into a body cavity
US8414483B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-04-09 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access into a body cavity
US8435174B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-05-07 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for accessing a body cavity
US8460186B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-06-11 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site
US8500633B2 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-08-06 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Methods and devices for providing surgical access through tissue to a surgical site
US9642647B2 (en) 2009-12-17 2017-05-09 Covidien Lp Access assembly with dual anchor and seal capabilities
EP2335619A1 (en) * 2009-12-17 2011-06-22 Tyco Healthcare Group LP Access assembly with dual anchor and seal capabilities
US8926508B2 (en) 2009-12-17 2015-01-06 Covidien Lp Access assembly with dual anchor and seal capabilities
US9364257B2 (en) 2009-12-17 2016-06-14 Covidien Lp Access assembly with dual anchor and seal capabilities
US9289115B2 (en) 2010-10-01 2016-03-22 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US11123102B2 (en) 2010-10-01 2021-09-21 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US10271875B2 (en) 2010-10-01 2019-04-30 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US10376282B2 (en) 2010-10-01 2019-08-13 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US9872702B2 (en) 2010-10-01 2018-01-23 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US9289200B2 (en) 2010-10-01 2016-03-22 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US9486197B2 (en) 2010-12-20 2016-11-08 Covidien Lp Two-part access assembly
US9451980B2 (en) 2010-12-20 2016-09-27 Covidien Lp Hand access device
US9017251B2 (en) 2011-01-24 2015-04-28 Covidien Lp Access assembly insertion device
US9022928B2 (en) 2011-03-18 2015-05-05 Covidien Lp Wound protector including balloon within incision
US9192366B2 (en) 2011-05-10 2015-11-24 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor
US9241697B2 (en) 2011-05-10 2016-01-26 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor
US9307975B2 (en) 2011-05-10 2016-04-12 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor
GB2495534B (en) * 2011-10-13 2014-04-23 Neosurgical Ltd Laparoscopic system
US9668723B2 (en) 2011-10-13 2017-06-06 Neosurgical Limited Laparoscopic system
GB2495534A (en) * 2011-10-13 2013-04-17 Neosurgical Ltd Laparoscopic system with expandable housing
JP2013099533A (en) * 2011-11-08 2013-05-23 Aesculap Ag Surgical access device and surgical access system
DE102011055129A1 (en) * 2011-11-08 2013-05-08 Aesculap Ag Surgical Access Device and Surgical Access System
US9271639B2 (en) 2012-02-29 2016-03-01 Covidien Lp Surgical introducer and access port assembly
US11471142B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2022-10-18 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Mechanical gel surgical access device
US10064649B2 (en) 2014-07-07 2018-09-04 Covidien Lp Pleated seal for surgical hand or instrument access
US9642608B2 (en) 2014-07-18 2017-05-09 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Gels having permanent tack free coatings and method of manufacture
US10952768B2 (en) 2014-08-15 2021-03-23 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US11583316B2 (en) 2014-08-15 2023-02-21 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US10172641B2 (en) 2014-08-15 2019-01-08 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Natural orifice surgery system
US10420587B2 (en) 2014-11-12 2019-09-24 Covidien Lp Attachments for use with a surgical access device
US9707011B2 (en) 2014-11-12 2017-07-18 Covidien Lp Attachments for use with a surgical access device
US11191567B2 (en) 2014-11-12 2021-12-07 Covidien Lp Attachments for use with a surgical access device
US9949730B2 (en) 2014-11-25 2018-04-24 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Circumferential wound retraction with support and guidance structures
US11382658B2 (en) 2015-09-15 2022-07-12 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical robotic access system
US11883068B2 (en) 2015-09-15 2024-01-30 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical robotic access system
US10368908B2 (en) 2015-09-15 2019-08-06 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical robotic access system
US11602338B2 (en) 2015-10-07 2023-03-14 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor with multi-segment outer ring
US10575840B2 (en) 2015-10-07 2020-03-03 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Wound retractor with multi-segment outer ring
US11627867B2 (en) 2016-09-12 2023-04-18 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical robotic access system for irregularly shaped robotic actuators and associated robotic surgical instruments
US10674896B2 (en) 2016-09-12 2020-06-09 Applied Medical Resources Corporation Surgical robotic access system for irregularly shaped robotic actuators and associated robotic surgical instruments
US11160682B2 (en) 2017-06-19 2021-11-02 Covidien Lp Method and apparatus for accessing matter disposed within an internal body vessel
US10828065B2 (en) 2017-08-28 2020-11-10 Covidien Lp Surgical access system
US10675056B2 (en) 2017-09-07 2020-06-09 Covidien Lp Access apparatus with integrated fluid connector and control valve
US11666359B2 (en) 2017-09-07 2023-06-06 Covidien Lp Access apparatus with integrated fluid connector and control valve
US11925387B2 (en) 2018-10-02 2024-03-12 Covidien Lp Surgical access device with fascial closure system
US11389193B2 (en) 2018-10-02 2022-07-19 Covidien Lp Surgical access device with fascial closure system
US11457949B2 (en) 2018-10-12 2022-10-04 Covidien Lp Surgical access device and seal guard for use therewith
US11471191B2 (en) 2019-02-11 2022-10-18 Covidien LLP Seals for surgical access assemblies
US11751910B2 (en) 2019-02-11 2023-09-12 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11166748B2 (en) 2019-02-11 2021-11-09 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US10792071B2 (en) 2019-02-11 2020-10-06 Covidien Lp Seals for surgical access assemblies
US11717323B2 (en) 2019-04-25 2023-08-08 Covidien Lp Seals for surgical access devices
US11000313B2 (en) 2019-04-25 2021-05-11 Covidien Lp Seals for surgical access devices
US11413068B2 (en) 2019-05-09 2022-08-16 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11259841B2 (en) 2019-06-21 2022-03-01 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11259840B2 (en) 2019-06-21 2022-03-01 Covidien Lp Valve assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11357542B2 (en) 2019-06-21 2022-06-14 Covidien Lp Valve assembly and retainer for surgical access assembly
US11413065B2 (en) 2019-06-28 2022-08-16 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11399865B2 (en) 2019-08-02 2022-08-02 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11523842B2 (en) 2019-09-09 2022-12-13 Covidien Lp Reusable surgical port with disposable seal assembly
US11432843B2 (en) 2019-09-09 2022-09-06 Covidien Lp Centering mechanisms for a surgical access assembly
US11812991B2 (en) 2019-10-18 2023-11-14 Covidien Lp Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies
US11464540B2 (en) 2020-01-17 2022-10-11 Covidien Lp Surgical access device with fixation mechanism
US11839405B2 (en) 2020-01-17 2023-12-12 Covidien Lp Surgical access device with fixation mechanism
US11576701B2 (en) 2020-03-05 2023-02-14 Covidien Lp Surgical access assembly having a pump
US11446058B2 (en) 2020-03-27 2022-09-20 Covidien Lp Fixture device for folding a seal member
US11717321B2 (en) 2020-04-24 2023-08-08 Covidien Lp Access assembly with retention mechanism
US11529170B2 (en) 2020-04-29 2022-12-20 Covidien Lp Expandable surgical access port
US11622790B2 (en) 2020-05-21 2023-04-11 Covidien Lp Obturators for surgical access assemblies and methods of assembly thereof
US11751908B2 (en) 2020-06-19 2023-09-12 Covidien Lp Seal assembly for surgical access assemblies
KR102486929B1 (en) * 2020-10-29 2023-01-09 김응석 Air infusion stopper for chest catheter
KR20220057048A (en) * 2020-10-29 2022-05-09 김응석 Air infusion stopper for chest catheter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20100261973A1 (en) 2010-10-14
US7744626B2 (en) 2010-06-29
US20030014076A1 (en) 2003-01-16
US20050228445A1 (en) 2005-10-13
US20030216776A1 (en) 2003-11-20
US6916331B2 (en) 2005-07-12
US5634937A (en) 1997-06-03
US8292919B2 (en) 2012-10-23
US6468292B1 (en) 2002-10-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5634937A (en) Skin seal with inflatable membrane
US5964781A (en) Skin seal with inflatable membrane
US5871474A (en) Screw-type skin seal with inflatable membrane
US5997515A (en) Screw-type skin seal with inflatable membrane
US10751086B2 (en) Method for anchoring and sealing a cannula assembly to the body of a patient
US5836913A (en) Device and method for accessing a body cavity
US5643301A (en) Cannula assembly with squeeze operated valve
JP4795819B2 (en) Balloon incision device
US7588584B2 (en) Methods and devices for blood vessel harvesting
US8066673B2 (en) Cannula stabilization seal
EP1620019B1 (en) Balloon dissector with balloon anchor cannula
JP2716588B2 (en) Endoscope portal used under endoscope and method therefor
JP2003524471A (en) Balloon incision device with improved visualization
US11432846B2 (en) Surgical access device including alternating cutout fluid flow pathway for anchor inflation and deflation

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): CA DE GB JP

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA