US5624381A — Surgical instrument and method for retraction of …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 132 words

A surgical instrument for retracting an anatomic structure in a body, the anatomic structure defining a lumen, comprising: an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an axis extending therebetween, wherein the elongate member is capable of articulation into a substantially linear shape for introduction into the lumen and a plurality of curvilinear shapes for retracting the anatomic structure surrounding the lumen; a tensioning member incorporated into and coupled to the elongate member, wherein the elongate member is in one of a tensioned and non-tensioned positions dependent on tension provided by the tensioning member; and a tensioning structure connected to a proximal end of the elongate member and to the tensioning member, thereby allowing the tensioning member to be in one of the tensioned and non-tensioned positions.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 132 words

A surgical instrument for retracting an anatomic structure in a body, the anatomic structure defining a lumen, comprising: an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an axis extending therebetween, wherein the elongate member is capable of articulation into a substantially linear shape for introduction into the lumen and a plurality of curvilinear shapes for retracting the anatomic structure surrounding the lumen; a tensioning member incorporated into and coupled to the elongate member, wherein the elongate member is in one of a tensioned and non-tensioned positions dependent on tension provided by the tensioning member; and a tensioning structure connected to a proximal end of the elongate member and to the tensioning member, thereby allowing the tensioning member to be in one of the tensioned and non-tensioned positions.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the tensioning structure is capable of maintaining the elongate member substantially rigid in the tensioned position.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the tensioning structure is capable of maintaining the elongate member substantially flexible in the non-tensioned position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the tensioning structure is capable of maintaining the elongate member between being substantially rigid and substantially flexible.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 73 words

The instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of cooperating longitudinal elements each defining a cooperating longitudinal bore extending therethrough, together with the tensioning member slidably disposed in each bore, each longitudinal element having a first end and a second end with respective first and second abutting surfaces for abutting an adjacent longitudinal element, whereby tensioning of the tensioning member causes the abutting surfaces to frictionally contact one another.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 31 words

The instrument of claim 5, wherein the first and second abutting surfaces include respectively a protruding form and a recessed form, the forms each telescopically mating with an abutting longitudinal element.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

The instrument of claim 6, wherein the protruding and recessed forms each have a partly spherical shape.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The instrument of claim 5, wherein the first and second abutting surfaces have a textured surface, thereby enhancing frictional contact between abutting longitudinal elements.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 34 words

The instrument of claim 5, wherein the first and second abutting surfaces in a portion of the elongate member have a surface that is not textured, thereby reducing frictional contact between abutting longitudinal elements.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 55 words

The instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of cooperating longitudinal elements, each longitudinal element having a first end and a second end and including a respective protruding form and a recessed form, the forms each telescopically mating with an abutting longitudinal element, each longitudinal element being of a shape-memory alloy.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 32 words

The instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongate member defines an interior channel for accommodating optic fibers and extending from the proximal portion of the elongate member to the distal portion thereof.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 20 words

The instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongate member defines a longitudinal interior channel with open proximal and distal ends.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 34 words

The instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a suction source for applying suction through a channel, thereby to apply suction to an exterior of the distal portion of the elongate member.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 156 words

A surgical method for retracting an anatomic structure in a body defining a lumen, utilizing an elongate member that is articulatable between a substantially linear shape and a plurality of non-linear shapes and alterable between being rigid and flexible, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting the elongate member to the substantially linear shape; maintaining the elongate member at least partly rigid while being in the linear shape; introducing the elongate member into a first location in the lumen; advancing the elongate member within the lumen to a second location in the lumen; altering the elongate member to be flexible and maintaining the elongate member flexible; manipulating the anatomic structure defining the lumen from an exterior of the anatomic structure, thereby articulating the flexible elongate member within the lumen to an articulated shape; and altering the elongate member to be rigid and maintaining the elongate member rigid in the articulated shape, thereby retracting the anatomic structure.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 156 words

A surgical method for retracting an anatomic structure in a body defining a lumen, utilizing an elongate member that is articulatable between a substantially linear shape and a plurality of non-linear shapes and alterable between being rigid and flexible, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting the elongate member to the substantially linear shape; maintaining the elongate member at least partly rigid while being in the linear shape; introducing the elongate member into a first location in the lumen; advancing the elongate member within the lumen to a second location in the lumen; altering the elongate member to be flexible and maintaining the elongate member flexible; manipulating the anatomic structure defining the lumen from an exterior of the anatomic structure, thereby articulating the flexible elongate member within the lumen to an articulated shape; and altering the elongate member to be rigid and maintaining the elongate member rigid in the articulated shape, thereby retracting the anatomic structure.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 14, wherein the introducing step includes introducing the elongate member into the lumen through an end of the lumen.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 14, wherein the introducing step includes introducing the elongate member into the lumen through an incision in a wall of the anatomic structure.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of illuminating a wall of the anatomic structure surrounding the lumen by a light source associated with a distal portion of the elongate member.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of manipulating the elongate member while rigid, thereby further retracting the anatomic structure.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 151 words

A surgical method for mobilizing a patient's colon utilizing an elongate member articulatable between a substantially linear shape and a plurality of non-linear shapes, comprising the steps of: adjusting the elongate member to a substantially linear shape; maintaining the elongate member in an at least partly rigid state; introducing the elongate member through the patient's rectum into the colon; altering the elongate member to a flexible state and maintaining the elongate member in the flexible state; manipulating an exterior of a portion of the colon through at least one incision in an abdominal wall of the patient, thereby articulating the elongate member to an articulated shape; altering the elongate member to a rigid state and maintaining the elongate member in the rigid state in the articulated shape, thereby retracting the portion of the colon; and dissecting tissues adhering to the portion of the colon, thereby mobilizing the portion of the colon.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 151 words

A surgical method for mobilizing a patient's colon utilizing an elongate member articulatable between a substantially linear shape and a plurality of non-linear shapes, comprising the steps of: adjusting the elongate member to a substantially linear shape; maintaining the elongate member in an at least partly rigid state; introducing the elongate member through the patient's rectum into the colon; altering the elongate member to a flexible state and maintaining the elongate member in the flexible state; manipulating an exterior of a portion of the colon through at least one incision in an abdominal wall of the patient, thereby articulating the elongate member to an articulated shape; altering the elongate member to a rigid state and maintaining the elongate member in the rigid state in the articulated shape, thereby retracting the portion of the colon; and dissecting tissues adhering to the portion of the colon, thereby mobilizing the portion of the colon.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 82 words

The method of claim 19, further comprising prior to the introducing step, the steps of: placing a plurality of sleeves in the patient's abdominal wall; insufflating the patient's abdominal cavity, thereby providing a workspace; introducing an endoscope through a first of the sleeves into the workspace; and viewing the portion of the colon through the endoscope; wherein the manipulating step includes manipulating the exterior of the portion of the colon by at least one instrument introduced through a second of the sleeves.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 61 words

The method of claim 19, further comprising contemporaneous with the introducing step, the steps of: transmitting a light to the distal portion of the elongate member through an interior channel in the variform member, thereby illuminating a part of the wall of the colon; and observing endoscopically the illuminated part of the wall the colon from the exterior of the colon.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 19, further comprising subsequent to the introducing step, the step of: applying a suction through a channel of the elongate member to an interior of the colon, thereby preventing the colon from distending.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 124 words

A surgical method for retracting a wall surrounding a lumen in an organ, utilizing an elongate member articulatable between a substantially linear shape and at least one non-linear shape and alterable between being rigid and flexible, comprising the steps of: introducing the elongate member into a first location in the lumen in a substantially linear shape while the elongate member is at least partly rigid; advancing the elongate member within the lumen to a second location in the lumen while being in the linear shape; altering the elongate member to be flexible; articulating the flexible elongate member to a non-linear shape and then maintaining the non-linear shape rigid, thereby retracting the wall surrounding the lumen by applying retraction along an interior of the wall.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 124 words

A surgical method for retracting a wall surrounding a lumen in an organ, utilizing an elongate member articulatable between a substantially linear shape and at least one non-linear shape and alterable between being rigid and flexible, comprising the steps of: introducing the elongate member into a first location in the lumen in a substantially linear shape while the elongate member is at least partly rigid; advancing the elongate member within the lumen to a second location in the lumen while being in the linear shape; altering the elongate member to be flexible; articulating the flexible elongate member to a non-linear shape and then maintaining the non-linear shape rigid, thereby retracting the wall surrounding the lumen by applying retraction along an interior of the wall.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 178 words

A surgical instrument for retracting an anatomic structure in a body, the anatomic structure defining a lumen, comprising: an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an axis extending therebetween, wherein the elongate member is capable of articulation into a substantially linear shape for introduction into the lumen and a plurality of curvilinear shapes for retracting the anatomic structure surrounding the lumen; a tensioning member incorporated into and coupled to the elongate member; and a tensioning structure connected to a proximal end of the elongate member and to the tensioning member, thereby actuating the tensioning member; wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of cooperating longitudinal elements each defining a cooperating longitudinal bore extending therethrough, together with the tensioning member slidably disposed in each bore, each longitudinal element having a first end and a second end with respective first and second abutting textured surfaces for abutting an adjacent longitudinal element thereby enhancing frictional contact between abutting longitudinal elements, whereby tensioning of the tensioning member causes the abutting surfaces to frictionally contact one another.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 178 words

A surgical instrument for retracting an anatomic structure in a body, the anatomic structure defining a lumen, comprising: an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an axis extending therebetween, wherein the elongate member is capable of articulation into a substantially linear shape for introduction into the lumen and a plurality of curvilinear shapes for retracting the anatomic structure surrounding the lumen; a tensioning member incorporated into and coupled to the elongate member; and a tensioning structure connected to a proximal end of the elongate member and to the tensioning member, thereby actuating the tensioning member; wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of cooperating longitudinal elements each defining a cooperating longitudinal bore extending therethrough, together with the tensioning member slidably disposed in each bore, each longitudinal element having a first end and a second end with respective first and second abutting textured surfaces for abutting an adjacent longitudinal element thereby enhancing frictional contact between abutting longitudinal elements, whereby tensioning of the tensioning member causes the abutting surfaces to frictionally contact one another.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 130 words

A surgical instrument for retracting an anatomic structure in a body, the anatomic structure defining a lumen, comprising: an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an axis extending therebetween, wherein the elongate member is capable of articulation into a substantially linear shape for introduction into the lumen and a plurality of curvilinear shapes for retracting the anatomic structure surrounding the lumen; a tensioning member incorporated into and coupled to the elongate member; and a tensioning structure connected to a proximal end of the elongate member and to the tensioning member; wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of cooperating longitudinal elements, an end of each longitudinal element mating with an end of an abutting longitudinal element, each longitudinal element being of a shape-memory alloy.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 130 words

A surgical instrument for retracting an anatomic structure in a body, the anatomic structure defining a lumen, comprising: an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an axis extending therebetween, wherein the elongate member is capable of articulation into a substantially linear shape for introduction into the lumen and a plurality of curvilinear shapes for retracting the anatomic structure surrounding the lumen; a tensioning member incorporated into and coupled to the elongate member; and a tensioning structure connected to a proximal end of the elongate member and to the tensioning member; wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of cooperating longitudinal elements, an end of each longitudinal element mating with an end of an abutting longitudinal element, each longitudinal element being of a shape-memory alloy.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 129 words

A surgical instrument for retracting an anatomic structure in a body, the anatomic structure defining a lumen, comprising: an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an axis extending therebetween, wherein the elongate member is capable of articulation into a substantially linear shape for introduction into the lumen and a plurality of curvilinear shapes for retracting the anatomic structure surrounding the lumen; a tensioning member incorporated into and coupled to the elongate member; and a tensioning structure connected to a proximal end of the elongate member and to the tensioning member; wherein the elongate member includes a suction source for applying suction through a channel in the elongate member, thereby to apply suction to an exterior of the distal portion of the elongate member.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 129 words

A surgical instrument for retracting an anatomic structure in a body, the anatomic structure defining a lumen, comprising: an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an axis extending therebetween, wherein the elongate member is capable of articulation into a substantially linear shape for introduction into the lumen and a plurality of curvilinear shapes for retracting the anatomic structure surrounding the lumen; a tensioning member incorporated into and coupled to the elongate member; and a tensioning structure connected to a proximal end of the elongate member and to the tensioning member; wherein the elongate member includes a suction source for applying suction through a channel in the elongate member, thereby to apply suction to an exterior of the distal portion of the elongate member.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 153 words

A surgical method for retracting an anatomic structure in a body defining a lumen, utilizing an elongate member that is articulatable between a substantially linear shape and a plurality of non-linear shapes, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting the elongate member to the substantially linear shape; maintaining the elongate member in at least partly rigid state; introducing the elongate member through an incision in a wall of the anatomic structure into a first location in the lumen; advancing the elongate member within the lumen to a second location within the lumen; altering the elongate member to be flexible and maintaining the elongate member flexible; manipulating the anatomic structure defining the lumen from an exterior of the anatomic structure, thereby articulating the elongate member within the lumen to an articulated shape;and altering the elongate member to be rigid and maintaining the elongate member rigid in the articulated shape, thereby retracting the anatomic structure.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 153 words

A surgical method for retracting an anatomic structure in a body defining a lumen, utilizing an elongate member that is articulatable between a substantially linear shape and a plurality of non-linear shapes, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting the elongate member to the substantially linear shape; maintaining the elongate member in at least partly rigid state; introducing the elongate member through an incision in a wall of the anatomic structure into a first location in the lumen; advancing the elongate member within the lumen to a second location within the lumen; altering the elongate member to be flexible and maintaining the elongate member flexible; manipulating the anatomic structure defining the lumen from an exterior of the anatomic structure, thereby articulating the elongate member within the lumen to an articulated shape;and altering the elongate member to be rigid and maintaining the elongate member rigid in the articulated shape, thereby retracting the anatomic structure.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-04-28	2000-10-28	2001-04-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-04-28	2004-10-28	2005-04-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-04-28	2008-10-28	2009-04-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Surgical instrument and method for retraction of an anatomic structure defining an interior lumen

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