Surgery – Specula – Retractor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-09
2001-06-19
Mancene, Gene (Department: 3732)
Surgery
Specula
Retractor
Reexamination Certificate
active
06248062
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a retractor for use in laparoscopic surgery. In particular, the invention relates to a retractor that can be easily moved from a locked, straight position for insertion through a cannula, to an unlocked, self-forming curved or rounded position after the retractor is within the body.
2. The Prior Art
In laparoscopic surgery, the surgery is performed by making a small incision in the body and placing a cannula through the incision to the area to be operated on. The surgical instruments are then inserted through the cannula an manipulated from outside the body. Consequently, all of the instruments used in laparoscopic surgery must be small enough to fit through the cannula. It is often necessary during the surgery to move tissues or organs out of the way with a retractor. With large organs such as the liver, a retractor with a large surface area is needed. However, given the small diameter of the cannula, it is difficult to insert a suitable retractor into the surgical site.
There have been many attempts to devise a retractor that is suitable for laparoscopic or arthroscopic use. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,826 to Bonutti discloses a retractor having a mechanically expandible end portion. After the retractor is inserted into the surgical area, the tip of the retractor is pulled back, causing the side walls to fold outward, forming a plurality of radial arms.
Another retractor is produced by Genzyme Surgical Products. This retractor comprises a series of links held together by multiple cables. When the cables are tightened, the links form a predetermined shape. When the cables are loose, the links lie straight and can be fed through a cannula. The links are tightened by turning a screw until the desired shape is achieved.
While this device is an improvement over previous retractors, it is difficult to turn the screw and adjust the retractor during surgery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a laparoscopic retractor that is capable of moving large organs out of the way during surgery, yet small enough to fit through a cannula.
It is another object of the invention to provide a laparoscopic retractor that can be easily adjusted from the straight to the curved position during surgery.
It is another object of the invention to provide a laparoscopic retractor that is simple to manufacture and use.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a laparoscopic retractor comprising a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end and a channel extending longitudinally from the distal end to the proximal end, and a handle connected to the proximal end of the shaft and having a longitudinal channel therethrough. There are a plurality of links pivotally connected in a linear arrangement, with one of the links connected to the distal end of the shaft. Each link has a longitudinal channel therethrough. The shaft and links form a continuous line terminating in a tip formed by an end link. There is a cable extending from the tip through the channels in the links, shaft and handle and an adjustment mechanism connected to the handle opposite the shaft and connected to the cable. There is spring mounted between the handle and adjustment mechanism to bias movement of the adjustment mechanism relative to the handle. The adjustment mechanism can be locked in a biased position wherein the cable is extended and the links rest in a straight line for insertion through a cannula, and can be released so that the cable is retracted an pulls the links into a curved arrangement for use during surgery.
The means for biasing the locking mechanism comprises a protrusion on the locking mechanism, and a channel within the handle having an L-shaped end. Pressing the locking mechanism toward the handle causes the protrusion (or lock pin) to slide down the channel and causes cable to extend, and twisting the locking mechanism forces the protrusion (or lock pin) into a the perpendicular L portion and locks the retractor into an extended position. To secure the retractor into the curved position there is a perpendicular cutout in the channel near the top, so that twisting the protrusion (or lock pin) into the cutout secures the cable in a retracted position, maintaining the links into a curved or rounded arrangement.
The locking mechanism comprises a shaft extending into the channel of the handle at one end and having a knob at the other end. The handle comprises at least two arms extending perpendicular to the longitudinal channel, for holding the retractor during surgery. The shaft, links, handle and adjustment mechanism are preferably made of stainless steel.
There are at least three links, so that the retractor can form a suitably curved arrangement for retracting organs during surgery. Preferably, there are five or more links, thus allowing for a complete circular curvature to be formed.
The tip on the end link is rounded and closed to facilitate sliding the retractor into a cannula.
In the curved arrangement, the links preferably form a closed loop so that the retractor can easily lift large organs and other structures out of the way during surgery. The loop has a diameter of about 2 to 3 inches.
The links are connected to each other via hinges. Preferably, each hinge is comprised of a pin inserted (pressed fit) through holes in the ends of adjacent links.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2510198 (1950-06-01), Tesmer
patent: 4239036 (1980-12-01), Krieger
patent: 4688554 (1987-08-01), Habib
patent: 5448989 (1995-09-01), Heckele
patent: 5522788 (1996-06-01), Kuzmak
Adler Jonathan
Ascher Bernd
Coraci, Jr. Leonard
Collard & Roe P.C.
Flexbar Machine Corp.
Mancene Gene
Robert Eduardo C.
LandOfFree
Laparoscopic retractor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Laparoscopic retractor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Laparoscopic retractor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2530595