Laparoscopic delivery device

Claim 1

An apparatus for introducing a solid object into the intra-abdominal cavity of a patient during a medical procedure through an access port previously inserted into the intra-abdominal cavity, comprising: (a) magazine means having opposite first and second ends, the first end being substantially sealed, and the second end being open, for substantially containing the object prior to introduction of the object into the intra-abdominal cavity, wherein the magazine means contains a spool mounted within the magazine means for wrapping the object around the spool prior to introduction of the object into the intra-abdominal cavity of the patient, and thereafter for unwrapping the object from the spool during introduction of the object into the intra-abdominal cavity of the patient, wherein the spool is engageable over a spindle forming an axis for the spool and wherein the spindle is mounted within the magazine means; and (b) connection means connected to the magazine means for connecting the magazine means to the access port to permit withdrawal of the object from the magazine means and delivery into the intra-abdominal cavity, the connection means including a first, forward end insertable into the access port.

Claim 2

An apparatus for introducing a solid object into the intra-abdominal cavity of a patient during a medical procedure through an access port previously inserted into the intra-abdominal cavity, comprising: (a) magazine means having opposite first and second ends, the first end being substantially sealed, and the second end being open, for substantially containing the object prior to introduction of the object into the intra-abdominal cavity, wherein the magazine means contains a spool mounted within the magazine means for wrapping the object around the spool prior to introduction of the object into the intra-abdominal cavity of the patient, and thereafter for unwrapping the object from the spool during introduction of the object into the intra-abdominal cavity of the patient, wherein the spool is engageable over a spindle forming an axis for the spool and wherein the spindle is mounted within the magazine means; and (b) connection means connected to the magazine means for connecting the magazine means to the access port to permit withdrawal of the object from the magazine means and delivery into the intra-abdominal cavity, the connection means including a first, forward end insertable into the access port.

Claim 6

An apparatus for introducing a flexible tube into the intra-abdominal cavity of a patient through an access port previously inserted into the intra-abdominal cavity, the port having an internal passageway, and the tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the apparatus comprising: (a) a magazine having a substantially sealed proximal end, and an open distal end of a first cross-sectional area; (b) a tube, wherein the proximal end of the tube is housed within the magazine prior to introduction of the tube into the intra-abdominal cavity of the patient; and (c) a cap for capping the magazine, the cap comprising: (i) an elongated, hollow nose section having a distal end portion of a second cross-sectional area substantially smaller than the first cross-sectional area for slidable insertion of the nose section into and through the port, and also having a proximal end portion; and (ii) an enlarged, hollow base section attached to and in communication with the proximal end portion of the nose section, the base section having an enlarged cross-sectional area matching the first cross-sectional area; (d) connecting means for disengageably locking the base section of the cap into engagement with the distal end of the magazine; and (e) whereby a continuous passageway is defined from the distal end of the magazine through the base section of the cap and through the nose section of the cap.

Claim 7

An apparatus for introducing a flexible tube into the intra-abdominal cavity of a patient through an access port previously inserted into the intra-abdominal cavity, the port having an internal passageway, and the tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the apparatus comprising: (a) a magazine having a substantially sealed proximal end, and an open distal end of a first cross-sectional area; (b) a tube, wherein the proximal end of the tube is housed within the magazine prior to introduction of the tube into the intra-abdominal cavity of the patient; and (c) a cap for capping the magazine, the cap comprising: (i) an elongated, hollow nose section having a distal end portion of a second cross-sectional area substantially smaller than the first cross-sectional area for slidable insertion of the nose section into and through the port, and also having a proximal end portion; and (ii) an enlarged, hollow base section attached to and in communication with the proximal end portion of the nose section, the base section having an enlarged cross-sectional area matching the first cross-sectional area; (d) connecting means for disengageably locking the base section of the cap into engagement with the distal end of the magazine; and (e) whereby a continuous passageway is defined from the distal end of the magazine through the base section of the cap and through the nose section of the cap.