Pneumoperitoneum needle

Claim 2

A needle for introduction of gaseous media into a body cavity, which comprises: elongated means defining passageway means to direct gaseous media to the body cavity; holding means attached to a proximal end portion of said elongated means; and filter means associated with at least one of said holding means and elongated means for filtering the gaseous media prior to introduction into said passageway means.

Claim 3

A pneumoperitoneum needle, which comprises: elongated means defining a passageway for introduction of pneumoperitoneum gaseous media into the peritoneal cavity; handle means attached to a proximal end portion of said elongated means; and filter means associated with at least one of said handle means and said elongated means for filtering the pneumoperitoneum gaseous media to be passed through said elongated means.

Claim 4

A pneumoperitoneum needle, which comprises: elongated means defining a passageway for introduction of pneumoperitoneum gaseous media into the peritoneal cavity; handle means attached to a proximal end portion of said elongated means; and filter means associated with at least one of said handle means and said elongated means for filtering the pneumoperitoneum gaseous media to be passed through said elongated means.

Claim 5

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 2 wherein said filter means comprises a hydrophobic filter.

Claim 6

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 3 wherein said hydrophobic filter comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene material.

Claim 7

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 4 wherein said polytetrafluoroethylene material has a pore size ranging in value from about 0.2 to 0.5 microns.

Claim 8

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 5 wherein said hydrophobic filter material contains a plurality of pleats.

Claim 9

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 5 wherein said hydrophobic filter is generally disc-shaped.

Claim 10

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 7 wherein the diameter of said hydrophobic filter is approximately 2.5 cm.

Claim 11

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 2 wherein said elongated means includes a sharp piercing point at a distal end thereof to penetrate the inner lining of the peritoneal cavity.

Claim 12

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 2 further comprising valve means connected to a proximal end of said handle means for regulating flow of the pneumoperitoneum gaseous media through said elongated means.

Claim 13

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 3 wherein said hydrophobic filter comprises a reinforcement mesh for providing additional support to said filter.

Claim 14

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 11 wherein said reinforcement mesh is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 15

A pneumoperitoneum needle, which comprises: handle means having a proximal end and a distal end; an elongated sheath connected to said distal end of said handle means and defining a passageway through which pneumoperitoneum gases may pass to and from the peritoneal cavity; a stylet disposed within said passageway of said elongated sheath and longitudinally movable between a retracted position and an extended position, said stylet including a blunt end portion at a distal end thereof, said blunt end portion extending beyond said distal end of said elongated sheath when said stylet is in said extended position; spring means attached to a proximal end of said stylet and housed within said handle means for biasing said stylet to said extended position; and filter means housed within said handle means for filtering the pneumoperitoneum gases to be passed through said elongated sheath.

Claim 16

A pneumoperitoneum needle, which comprises: handle means having a proximal end and a distal end; an elongated sheath connected to said distal end of said handle means and defining a passageway through which pneumoperitoneum gases may pass to and from the peritoneal cavity; a stylet disposed within said passageway of said elongated sheath and longitudinally movable between a retracted position and an extended position, said stylet including a blunt end portion at a distal end thereof, said blunt end portion extending beyond said distal end of said elongated sheath when said stylet is in said extended position; spring means attached to a proximal end of said stylet and housed within said handle means for biasing said stylet to said extended position; and filter means housed within said handle means for filtering the pneumoperitoneum gases to be passed through said elongated sheath.

Claim 17

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 13 wherein said filter means comprises a hydrophobic filter.

Claim 18

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 14 wherein said hydrophobic filter comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene material.

Claim 19

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 15 wherein said polytetrafluoroethylene material has a pore size ranging in value from about 0.2 to 0.5 microns.

Claim 20

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 16 wherein said hydrophobic filter material contains a plurality of pleats to provide an effective filtration area greater than the cross-sectional area of said filter.

Claim 21

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 16 wherein said hydrophobic filter is generally disc-shaped.

Claim 22

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 18 wherein the diameter of said hydrophobic filter is approximately 2.5 cm.

Claim 23

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 13 wherein said elongated means includes a sharp piercing point at a distal end thereof to penetrate the inner lining of the peritoneal cavity.

Claim 24

The pneumoperitoneum needle according to claim 13 further comprising valve means connected to said proximal end of said handle means for regulating flow of the pneumoperitoneum gases through said elongated sheath.

Claim 25

In combination with a conduit through which gaseous fluids may be passed to and from a body cavity: housing means attached to a proximal end portion of the conduit; and filter means housed within said housing means for filtering the gaseous fluids to be introduced into the body cavity.

Claim 26

In combination with a conduit through which gaseous fluids may be passed to and from a body cavity: housing means attached to a proximal end portion of the conduit; and filter means housed within said housing means for filtering the gaseous fluids to be introduced into the body cavity.

Claim 27

The combination of claim 22 wherein said filter means is a pleated filter.

Claim 28

The combination of claim 22 wherein said housing means is adapted and configured to house said pleated filter.

Claim 29

The combination of claim 22 wherein said filter means is a disc-shaped filter.

Claim 30

The combination of claim 25 wherein said housing means is adapted and configured to house said disc-shaped filter.

Claim 31

A pneumoperitoneum needle, which comprises: lumen means defining a passageway through which pneumoperitoneum gases may pass to and from the peritoneal cavity; handle means attached to a proximal end portion of said lumen means; and filter means housed within said handle means for filtering the pneumoperitoneum gases to be passed through said lumen means.

Claim 32

A pneumoperitoneum needle, which comprises: lumen means defining a passageway through which pneumoperitoneum gases may pass to and from the peritoneal cavity; handle means attached to a proximal end portion of said lumen means; and filter means housed within said handle means for filtering the pneumoperitoneum gases to be passed through said lumen means.