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US6176825B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cannula-based irrigation system and method
Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular LLC
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Filing: 1999-01-08
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Granted: 2001-01-23
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Expires: 2019-01-08
Abstract
Abstract A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axis skewed relative to the axis of the cannula. The dissection cradle may include two substantially parallel, spaced legs with the retractor shaped in a loop between and in a plane skewed relative to the axes of the legs, and with the loop directed away from the surgical tool. Thus, in operation, when a surgeon locates a vessel and side branch of interest, the surgeon extends the retractor to cradle the vessel in the dissection cradle. Once cradled, the retractor may be fully extended to urge the vessel away from the axis of the cannula to isolate the side branch for exposure to a surgical tool. One of the legs supporting the retractor is hollow and includes a spray nozzle disposed in the distal end of the retractor to form an irrigation system. The proximal end of the hollow leg communicates with a fluid inlet which receives irrigation fluid under pressure for washing the endoscope lens. The spray nozzle on the retractor may be positioned to wash the endoscope lens, or upon selective extension of the retractor out of the cannula, the spray nozzle may be positioned to direct the spray of irrigation fluid at a remote surgical site.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert K. Chin
- 👤 John P. Lunsford
- 👤 Tenny Chang
- 👤 Jeffrey W. Baxter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/012; A61B1/018; A61B1/015; A61B1/12; A61B1/126; A61B1/313; A61B17/00; A61B17/00008; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A surgical apparatus for generating an irrigating spray comprising: an elongated cannula having an axis between distal and proximal ends, and a retractor, slidably supported on at least one hollow supporter relative to the cannula for translational movement substantially aligned with the axis of the cannula, and including an irrigation nozzle disposed near the distal end of the hollow supporter, the hollow supporter conducting irrigation fluid to the irrigation nozzle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A surgical apparatus for generating an irrigating spray comprising: an elongated cannula having an axis between distal and proximal ends, and a retractor, slidably supported on at least one hollow supporter relative to the cannula for translational movement substantially aligned with the axis of the cannula, and including an irrigation nozzle disposed near the distal end of the hollow supporter, the hollow supporter conducting irrigation fluid to the irrigation nozzle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the irrigation nozzle is disposed in a side of the hollow supporter near the distal end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hollow supporter is disposed within an irrigation conduit in the cannula and a proximal end of the irrigation conduit includes a fluid inlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the hollow supporter is semi-rigid plastic tubing that is slip-fitted within the irrigation conduit near the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cannula further comprises a retractor lumen therein for supporting the hollow supporter in slip-fitting relationship with the retractor lumen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the retractor further comprises a dissection cradle, disposed at the distal end of the retractor, and the irrigation nozzle is disposed in the dissection cradle that includes a conduit therein in fluid communication between the hollow supporter and the nozzle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tension spring, having a distal end attached to the distal end of the hollow supporter, for allowing the extension of the distal end of the hollow supporter beyond the distal end of the cannula responsive to an application of pressure, and retaining the hollow supporter in a retracted position otherwise.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an endoscopic lumen is disposed in the cannula, and the irrigation nozzle is directed toward a distal end of the endoscopic lumen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
A surgical apparatus for generating an irrigating spray comprising: an elongated cannula having an axis between distal and proximal ends, and a retractor, slidably supported on at least one hollow supporter relative to the cannula for translational movement substantially aligned with the axis of the cannula, comprising: an irrigation nozzle disposed near the distal end of the hollow supporter, the hollow supporter conducting irrigation fluid to the irrigation nozzle; and a dissection cradle, disposed on the distal end of the retractor, for retracting tissue upon extension from the cannula.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
A surgical apparatus for generating an irrigating spray comprising: an elongated cannula having an axis between distal and proximal ends, and a retractor, slidably supported on at least one hollow supporter relative to the cannula for translational movement substantially aligned with the axis of the cannula, comprising: an irrigation nozzle disposed near the distal end of the hollow supporter, the hollow supporter conducting irrigation fluid to the irrigation nozzle; and a dissection cradle, disposed on the distal end of the retractor, for retracting tissue upon extension from the cannula.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the irrigation nozzle is disposed on the dissection cradle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein an endoscopic lumen is disposed in the cannula, and the irrigation nozzle is directed toward a distal end of the endoscopic lumen.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for cleansing an endoscope lens at a distal end of an elongated cannula that slidably supports a retractor for selectable extension from the distal end of the cannula and that includes an irrigation system, comprising the steps of: incising skin at an area near a target vessel; advancing the cannula through the incision towards a target site under endoscopic visualization through the endoscope lens at the distal end of the cannula; selectively extending the retractor to position a spray nozzle thereon to wash the lens of the endoscope and selectively activating the irrigation system for washing the endoscope lens.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for cleansing an endoscope lens at a distal end of an elongated cannula that slidably supports a retractor for selectable extension from the distal end of the cannula and that includes an irrigation system, comprising the steps of: incising skin at an area near a target vessel; advancing the cannula through the incision towards a target site under endoscopic visualization through the endoscope lens at the distal end of the cannula; selectively extending the retractor to position a spray nozzle thereon to wash the lens of the endoscope and selectively activating the irrigation system for washing the endoscope lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of: selectively extending the retractor to retract tissue encountered during advancement of the cannula.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of irrigating a remote surgical site using an elongated cannula that slidably supports a retractor for selectable extension from the distal end of the cannula and that includes an irrigation system, comprising the steps of: incising skin at an area near a target vessel; advancing a cannula through the incision towards the surgical site under endoscopic visualization; responsive to the surgical site requiring irrigation, selectively extending the retractor toward the surgical site; and activating the irrigation system for wetting the surgical site.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of irrigating a remote surgical site using an elongated cannula that slidably supports a retractor for selectable extension from the distal end of the cannula and that includes an irrigation system, comprising the steps of: incising skin at an area near a target vessel; advancing a cannula through the incision towards the surgical site under endoscopic visualization; responsive to the surgical site requiring irrigation, selectively extending the retractor toward the surgical site; and activating the irrigation system for wetting the surgical site.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of irrigating a remote surgical site using an elongated cannula that slidably supports a retractor for selectable extension from the distal end of the cannula and that includes an irrigation system, comprising the steps of: incising skin at an area near a target vessel; advancing a cannula through the incision towards the surgical site under endoscopic visualization; selectively extending the retractor to retract tissue; responsive to the surgical site requiring irrigation, selectively extending the retractor toward the surgical site; activating the irrigation system for wetting the surgical site.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of irrigating a remote surgical site using an elongated cannula that slidably supports a retractor for selectable extension from the distal end of the cannula and that includes an irrigation system, comprising the steps of: incising skin at an area near a target vessel; advancing a cannula through the incision towards the surgical site under endoscopic visualization; selectively extending the retractor to retract tissue; responsive to the surgical site requiring irrigation, selectively extending the retractor toward the surgical site; activating the irrigation system for wetting the surgical site.
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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) | 2004-01-23 | 2004-07-24 | 2005-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-23 | 2008-07-24 | 2009-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-23 | 2012-07-24 | 2013-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |