US5269772A — Laparoscopic cannula assembly and associated meth…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 139 words

A cannula assembly for use in laparoscopic surgery, comprising: a rigid tubular member; first means connected to said tubular member and rigid therewith for defining, for a first laparoscopic instrument having a rigid shaft, a first insertion path through said tubular member and through a region of predetermined area to be lodged in a patient's abdomen; second means connected to said tubular member and at least partially separate from said first means for defining, for a second laparoscopic instrument having a rigid shaft, a second insertion path through said region; and angle means on said tubular member for angling said first insertion path and said second insertion path relative to one another so that said first laparoscopic instrument and said second laparoscopic instrument emerge from a distal end of the cannula assembly at an angle relative to one another.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 139 words

A cannula assembly for use in laparoscopic surgery, comprising: a rigid tubular member; first means connected to said tubular member and rigid therewith for defining, for a first laparoscopic instrument having a rigid shaft, a first insertion path through said tubular member and through a region of predetermined area to be lodged in a patient's abdomen; second means connected to said tubular member and at least partially separate from said first means for defining, for a second laparoscopic instrument having a rigid shaft, a second insertion path through said region; and angle means on said tubular member for angling said first insertion path and said second insertion path relative to one another so that said first laparoscopic instrument and said second laparoscopic instrument emerge from a distal end of the cannula assembly at an angle relative to one another.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 35 words

The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said first means includes a port component attached to said tubular member at one end thereof, said second means including a rigid tube attached to said tubular member.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The assembly defined in claim 2 wherein angle means includes attachment means for pivotably attaching said tube to said tubular member about said region.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

The assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said angle means includes attachment means for rigidly attaching said tube to said tubular member.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 40 words

The assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said tube is attached to said tubular member via said port component, said port component also serving as a proximal port for said tube, said port component being part of said angle means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

The assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said tube is provided at one end with a port attachment, said angle means including connection means for movably connecting said port attachment to said port component.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

The assembly defined in claim 3 wherein said connection means includes means for slidably connecting said port attachment to said port component.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

The assembly defined in claim 3 wherein said connection means includes means for pivotably connecting said port attachment to said port component.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 129 words

A cannula assembly for use in laparoscopic surgery, comprising: a rigid first tubular member having a first proximal end, a first distal end and a first central region; a rigid second tubular member having a second proximal end, a second distal end and a second central region; and connection means on said first tubular member and said second tubular member for connecting said first tubular member and said second tubular member to one another at said first proximal end and said second proximal end, said connection means including angle means for enabling a distal end of a first laparoscopic instrument inserted through said first tubular member to be disposed at an angle with respect to a distal end of a second laparoscopic instrument inserted through said second tubular member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 129 words

A cannula assembly for use in laparoscopic surgery, comprising: a rigid first tubular member having a first proximal end, a first distal end and a first central region; a rigid second tubular member having a second proximal end, a second distal end and a second central region; and connection means on said first tubular member and said second tubular member for connecting said first tubular member and said second tubular member to one another at said first proximal end and said second proximal end, said connection means including angle means for enabling a distal end of a first laparoscopic instrument inserted through said first tubular member to be disposed at an angle with respect to a distal end of a second laparoscopic instrument inserted through said second tubular member.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 24 words

The assembly defined in claim 9 wherein said first tubular member is oriented permanently at an angle with respect to said second tubular member.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 52 words

The assembly defined in claim 9 wherein said first tubular member is connected to said second tubular member essentially only at said second proximal region and said second central region, said second tubular member being connected to said first tubular member only at said first proximal end and said first central region.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 37 words

The assembly defined in claim 11 wherein said angle means includes means for movably connecting said first central region to said second central region and for movabling connecting said first proximal end to said second proximal end.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 37 words

The assembly defined in claim 12 wherein said angle means includes means for pivotably connecting said first central region to said second central region and for slidably connecting said first proximal end to said second proximal end.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 42 words

The assembly defined in claim 9 wherein said first tubular member is connected to said second tubular member essentially only at said second proximal region, said second tubular member being connected to said first tubular member only at said first proximal end.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 132 words

A method for use in laparoscopy, comprising the steps of: forming a perforation in a patient's abdominal wall; disposing in said perforation a cannula assembly including at least one rigid tubular member; inserting a distal end of a first laparoscopic instrument through said cannula assembly and into the patient's abdominal cavity; inserting a distal end of a second laparoscopic instrument through said cannula assembly and into the patient's abdominal cavity so that the distal ends of said first laparoscopic instrument and said second laparoscopic instrument extend at an acute angle relative to one another inside the patient's abdominal cavity; manipulating said second laparoscopic instrument from outside the patient to perform a surgical operation inside the patient; and withdrawing said second laparoscopic instrument from the patient's abdominal cavity and from said cannula assembly.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 132 words

A method for use in laparoscopy, comprising the steps of: forming a perforation in a patient's abdominal wall; disposing in said perforation a cannula assembly including at least one rigid tubular member; inserting a distal end of a first laparoscopic instrument through said cannula assembly and into the patient's abdominal cavity; inserting a distal end of a second laparoscopic instrument through said cannula assembly and into the patient's abdominal cavity so that the distal ends of said first laparoscopic instrument and said second laparoscopic instrument extend at an acute angle relative to one another inside the patient's abdominal cavity; manipulating said second laparoscopic instrument from outside the patient to perform a surgical operation inside the patient; and withdrawing said second laparoscopic instrument from the patient's abdominal cavity and from said cannula assembly.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method defined in claim 15 wherein said cannula assembly includes a pair of tubular members connected to one another and disposed at an angle with respect to one another in the abdominal wall of the patient.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method defined in claim 15 wherein said second laparoscopic instrument is inserted through said cannula assembly essentially parallel to said first laparoscopic instrument.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method defined in claim 17 wherein said first laparoscopic instrument is inserted through a first port at a proximal end of said cannula assembly and wherein second laparoscopic instrument is inserted through a second port also at said proximal end of said cannula assembly, said second port being separate from said first port.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method defined in claim 15 wherein said second laparoscopic instrument is inserted through a pair of side ports disposed on opposite sides of said cannula assembly and at locations staggered longitudinally or axially relative to one another.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 58 words

The method defined in claim 19 wherein said tubular members are rigidly connected to one another, said step of forming said perforation including the step of piercing the abdominal wall of the patient simultaneously with a pair of trocars connected to one another via said tubular members, said tubular members each taking the form of a trocar sleeve.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 79 words

The method defined in claim 19 wherein said tubular members are movably connected to one another, said step of forming said perforation including the step of piercing the abdominal wall of the patient simultaneously with a pair of trocars connected to one another via said tubular members, said tubular members each taking the form of a trocar sleeve, further comprising the step of moving said tubular members with respect to one another upon completion of said step of disposing.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method defined in claim 21 wherein said step of moving includes the step of pivoting said tubular members with respect to one another about a point disposed essentially at said perforation.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-12-13	1997-06-14	1997-12-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-12-13	2001-06-14	2001-12-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-12-13	2005-06-14	2005-12-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Laparoscopic cannula assembly and associated method

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