US5575759A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods of using inflatable retraction devices in laparoscopic surgery
Assignee: Covidien AG
•
Filing: 1995-06-01
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Granted: 1996-11-19
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Expires: 2015-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for retracting an organ to gain access to treat a tissue. The apparatus has a main envelope, a second envelope, a first inflation device and a second inflation device. The main envelope encloses a main chamber, and includes a window and a removable window. The second envelope covers substantially all the main envelope, except the window and the removable window. The second envelope and the main envelope enclose a second chamber outside the main chamber. The first inflation device passes a fluid into the main chamber to expand the main chamber and the second chamber from a compacted state to retract the organ. The second inflation device passes a fluid into the second chamber to further expand the second chamber to maintain the organ in its retracted state after fluid has been released from the main chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederic H. Moll
- 👤 Daniel T. Wallace
- 👤 Jeffrey A. Smith
- 👤 David C. Forster
- 👤 Albert K. Chin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/0281; A61B17/22; A61B17/22031; A61B17/22032; A61B90/00; A61B90/50; A61B17/3462; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320044; A61B2017/320048; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3482; A61B2017/3484; A61B2017/3486; A61B90/30; A61B2090/306; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A method for properitoneal hernia repair, the method comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable retraction device in a compacted state, the inflatable retraction device including: a main envelope enclosing a main chamber, the main envelope including a window and a removable window, a second envelope covering substantially all the main envelope, except the window and the removable window, the second envelope and the main envelope enclosing a second chamber outside the main chamber, an attachment point centered in the removable window, and an insertion shaft passing through the main chamber, and having a distal end temporarily attached to the attachment point, the attachment point providing a distal tip for the inflatable retraction device; making an incision through the abdominal wall at the umbilicus as far as the properitoneal layer; inserting the distal tip of the inflatable retraction device into the incision; using the inflatable retraction device to dissect the peritoneum from the properitoneal layer while advancing the inflatable retraction device inferiorly between the peritoneum and the properitoneal layer towards the hernia; passing a fluid into the main chamber to expand the main chamber and the second chamber from the compacted state to dissect further the peritoneum from the properitoneal layer; passing a fluid into the second chamber to further expand the second chamber; releasing fluid from the main chamber; and detaching the removable window from the main envelope.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
229 words
A method for properitoneal hernia repair, the method comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable retraction device in a compacted state, the inflatable retraction device including: a main envelope enclosing a main chamber, the main envelope including a window and a removable window, a second envelope covering substantially all the main envelope, except the window and the removable window, the second envelope and the main envelope enclosing a second chamber outside the main chamber, an attachment point centered in the removable window, and an insertion shaft passing through the main chamber, and having a distal end temporarily attached to the attachment point, the attachment point providing a distal tip for the inflatable retraction device; making an incision through the abdominal wall at the umbilicus as far as the properitoneal layer; inserting the distal tip of the inflatable retraction device into the incision; using the inflatable retraction device to dissect the peritoneum from the properitoneal layer while advancing the inflatable retraction device inferiorly between the peritoneum and the properitoneal layer towards the hernia; passing a fluid into the main chamber to expand the main chamber and the second chamber from the compacted state to dissect further the peritoneum from the properitoneal layer; passing a fluid into the second chamber to further expand the second chamber; releasing fluid from the main chamber; and detaching the removable window from the main envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 additionally comprising the step of repairing the hernia using an instrument passed through the main chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the step of detaching the insertion shaft from the removable window before the step of detaching the removable window.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the step of passing a fluid into the main chamber expands the main chamber to create a working space; and after the step of detaching the removable window, the method additionally comprises the step of passing insufflation gas through the main chamber to insufflate the working space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the step of driving a trocax through the window into the main chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of driving a trocar through the window includes the steps of: pressing a probe on the abdominal wall above the window to cause a protrusion in the properitoneal layer; observing the provision in the properitoneal layer through the window from inside the main chamber; moving the probe until the provision is centered in the window; and substituting the trocar for the probe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of using the inflatable retraction device to dissect the pefitoneum from the properitoneal layer is continued until the removable window is centered on the hernia, using the endoscope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the step of providing a compacted inflatable retraction device provides an insertion shaft having an endoscope mounted therein, the endoscope providing observation through the distal tip of the inflatable retraction device; and the step of using the inflatable retraction device to dissect the peritoneum from the properitoneal layer is continued until the hernia is seen using the endoscope.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of using the inflatable retraction device to dissect the peritoneum from the properitoneal layer includes the steps of: locating the hernia by feel through the abdominal wall; and advancing the inflatable retraction device until the distal tip of the inflatable retraction device and the hernia are felt together through the abdominal wall.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for retracting an organ to gain access to treat a tissue, the method comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable retraction device in a compacted state, the inflatable retraction device including: a main envelope enclosing a main chamber, the main envelope including a window and a removable window, and a second envelope covering substantially all the main envelope, except the window and the removable window, the second envelope and the main envelope enclosing a second chamber outside the main chamber; placing the inflatable retraction device in the compacted state adjacent the organ; passing a fluid into the main chamber to expand the main chamber and the second chamber from the compacted state to retract the organ; passing a fluid into the second chamber to further expand the second chamber; releasing fluid from the main chamber; and detaching the removable window from the main envelope.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for retracting an organ to gain access to treat a tissue, the method comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable retraction device in a compacted state, the inflatable retraction device including: a main envelope enclosing a main chamber, the main envelope including a window and a removable window, and a second envelope covering substantially all the main envelope, except the window and the removable window, the second envelope and the main envelope enclosing a second chamber outside the main chamber; placing the inflatable retraction device in the compacted state adjacent the organ; passing a fluid into the main chamber to expand the main chamber and the second chamber from the compacted state to retract the organ; passing a fluid into the second chamber to further expand the second chamber; releasing fluid from the main chamber; and detaching the removable window from the main envelope.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10, additionally comprising the step of treating the tissue using an instrument passed through the main chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10, additionally comprising the step of driving a trocar through the window into the main chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 12, wherein: the inflatable retraction device is located inside a body wall; and the step of driving a trocar through the window includes the steps of: pressing a probe onto the body wall above the window to cause a provision in the body wall; observing the provision in the body wall through the window from inside the main chamber; moving the probe until the provision is centered in the window; and substituting the trocar for the probe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 10, wherein, in the step of placing the inflatable retraction device adjacent the organ, the inflatable retraction device is placed adjacent the organ using an insertion shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14, additionally comprising the step of detaching the insertion shaft from the removable window before the step of detaching the removable window.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 10, wherein: the step of providing a compacted inflatable retraction device provides an insertion shaft having an endoscope mounted therein, the endoscope providing observation through the distal tip of the inflatable retraction device; and in the step of placing the inflatable retraction device adjacent the organ, the insertion shaft is manipulated until the organ is seen using the endoscope.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-19 | 2000-05-20 | 2000-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-19 | 2004-05-20 | 2004-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-19 | 2008-05-20 | 2008-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |