PROCEDURAL CANNULA AND SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES
A system for performing minimally invasive medical procedures includes an elongate support advanceable into a body cavity. The elongate support supports a frame that carries a pair of tool cannulas, each of which has a lumen for receiving a tool useable to perform a procedure in the body cavity. The frame is expandable to orient the tool cannulas such that they allow the tools to be used in concert to carry out a procedure at a common location in the body cavity.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/789,318, filed Apr. 24, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,883,156, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/794,563, filed Apr. 24, 2006, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/801,113, filed May 17, 2006, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/801,034, May 17, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/819,235, filed Jul. 7, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the field of devices and procedures for use in performing surgery in the peritoneal cavity using access through a natural orifice.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSurgery in the abdominal cavity is typically performed using open surgical techniques or laparoscopic procedures. Each of these procedures requires incisions through the skin and underlying muscle and peritoneal tissue, and thus results in the potential for post-surgical scarring and/or hernias.
Systems and techniques in which access to the abdominal cavity is gained through a natural orifice are advantageous in that incisions through the skin and underlying muscle and peritoneal tissue may be avoided. Use of such systems can provide access to the peritoneal cavity using an access device inserted into the esophagus, stomach or intestine (via, for example, the mouth or rectum). Instruments are then advanced through the access device into the peritoneal cavity via an incision in the wall of the esophagus, stomach or intestine. Other forms of natural orifice access, such as vaginal access, may similarly be used.
Applicant's prior Provisional Application No. U.S. application Ser. No. 11/528,009, TRANSGASTRIC SURGICAL DEVICES AND PROCEDURES, Filed Sep. 27, 2006 describes various embodiments of surgical access cannulas for use in gaining access to the peritoneal cavity of a patient via a natural orifice. When used for transoral procedures, the distal end of an access cannula 10 (
This application describes a procedural cannula and support system ideally used in combination with an access cannula that has been used to gain access to the peritoneal cavity. For example, once access cannula 10 has been passed through the oral cavity and stomach and secured within a stomach wall incision using anchors 12a, 12b, a procedural cannula and support system of the type described herein is passed through the access cannula and into the peritoneal cavity.
For certain procedures, it would be advantageous to allow the surgeon to perform a natural orifice surgical procedure in a manner that allows him/her to approach the surgical target within the peritoneal cavity from the same direction from which s/he would typically approach that same structure using a laparoscopic or open surgical procedure. For example, if a particular procedure utilizes an anterior approach to the treatment site when carried out using laparoscopic or surgical techniques, it would also be desirable to allow the surgeon to approach the treatment site from an anterior perspective even when using a natural orifice technique. The system illustrated in the attached drawings allows these same approaches to be used using natural orifice access, thus allowing a surgeon to easily and intuitively transition between natural orifice surgical procedures and open or laparoscopic procedures.
In general, the disclosed embodiments include at least one procedural or tool cannula through which instruments are passed to the operative site. A support system provides rigid support for the procedural cannula(s) within the body.
Referring to
Support system 24 includes an elongate shaft or spine 26 that extends from an incision in a body organ such as the stomach S or other hollow organ (e.g. intestine, vagina) from which natural orifice access has been gained as described above. In a preferred embodiment, shaft 26 is disposed within an access cannula 10 which may be of the type shown in
Instrument system 22 includes one or more procedural cannulas 30a, 30b, each having an opening 152 at or near its distal end. Cannulas 30a, 30b may include a curved distal portion as shown, and may additionally or alternatively be deflectable in predetermined directions using pullwires, mandrels, or other deflection mechanisms, including those known in the art for deflecting catheters, introducers and guidewires.
Instruments 32 (e.g. forceps, endoscopes, suture devices, staplers) are extendable through the procedural cannulas 30a, 30b and into position at the target site in the peritoneal cavity. As best shown in
A coupling 34 couples the instrument system 22 and support system 24. The coupling 24 may by any type of device that couples the procedural cannulas 30a, 30b to the shaft 28. In the
The locking spine 102 is preferably passed into the body through an access cannula 10 as described in connection with
Spine 102 is preferably one capable of being sufficiently flexible for manipulation within the peritoneal space, but also capable of being placed in a self-supporting rigid state once positioned at a desired location. In one embodiment, spine 102 is a shaft formed of a plurality of spine elements having tensioning cables that may be placed under tension to stiffen the shaft. The spine elements are shaped such that the spine will assume a shape predetermined to give the curvature needed to position the distal end of the spine at the desired location and oriented towards the treatment site.
A detailed view of the locking spine 102 is shown in
A plurality of the spine segments 106a are cylindrical segments having end faces that are perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical segments. When a plurality of these cylindrical segments 106a is strung over the cables, they form a relatively straight spine section 110 when the handles 108 are locked. Others of the spine segments 106b have angular end faces and are assembled such that the chosen combination of angled segments 106b will give the distal portion 112 of the spine 102 a predetermined bend configuration when the spine 102 is locked as shown in
The spine segments 106a, 106b etc. are “strung” onto cables 118 by passing each of the cables through one of the side through holes 116 in each of the spine segments. The side hole that is to receive the cable 118 for a particular spine segment 106b is selected based on the orientation in which the angled face of that segment must be placed to give the spine 102 the correct curve at that particular location on the spine 102. Thus, manufacturing instructions might list out a sequence of angled segments, giving for each segment the face angle that is to be used, as well as a designation of which side holes 116 are to receive each cable for that particular segment. An exemplary entry on the list might read “segment #10, angle 15°, cable #1 through hole A, cable #2 through hole D”.
The central through holes 114 of the spine segments 106a, 106b align to form the lumen 105 (
In the
The linkage 120 is positionable in a collapsed streamlined position in which tool cannulas 104 are near the longitudinal axis of the spine 102 for passage through the access cannula 10. Dashed lines in
Opening the linkage positions the cannulas 104 as shown in
In another alternative shown in
Referring to
In the disclosed embodiments, each tool cannula 104 preferably has a pre-shaped curve in its distal region. The curve orients the cannula 104 such that when the linkage is opened, instruments 32 (
As with the
In a preferred embodiment, deflection of the tool cannulas 104 is performed using a pullwire system. Referring to
Actuation of the pullwires is achieved using features that during use are positioned outside the body. A deflection system is provided that allows the user to intuitively actuate the pullwires for a particular one of the tool cannulas 104 by manipulating the handle 152 of the instrument 32 that resides within that tool cannula. For example, if the user wishes to have the distal end of a tool move in a downward direction, s/he will intuitively raise the handle 152 of that tool to cause the corresponding tool cannula to deflect downwardly, thus moving the tool to the desired position.
Referring to
The gimbal 148 may be mounted to a work stand 150 as shown in
The work stand 150 is proportioned to allow the surgeon to position his or herself in a comfortable position with his/her hands on the handles 153 of the tools 32. The work stand 150 preferably positions the tool handles 153 approximately 10-15 inches apart.
A preferred control gimbal 148 is shown in
Instrument port 186 includes side channels 190 having distal openings 192 and proximal openings 194. The four pullwires 128 from the tool cannulas 104 extend through the tubular end piece 170 and each passes through hole 174, through the hollow interior of the ball 180, and out corresponding ones of the pull-wire ports 184 in the ball. The pullwires further extend into the instrument port side channels 190 and are secured there by anchors 196.
Instrument port 186 has a lumen 188 extending proximally from the spherical ball 180. The shaft 152 of an instrument 32 (see
When it becomes necessary for the surgeon to change the orientation of the distal end of an instrument 32, s/he need only intuitively move the handle 152 of that instrument and the distal portion of the instrument will deflect accordingly as a result of the action of the gimbal on the pullwires of the tool cannula. Vertical movement of the handle 152 will cause the ball 180 to rotate relative to pivots 182, thus applying tension to the upper or lower pullwire 128 to cause upward or downward deflection of the tool cannula 104 (and thus the distal end of the instrument 32). Lateral movement of the handle 152 will cause the ball 180 and ring 176 to rotate about pivots 178 and to therefore tension one of the side pullwires to change the lateral bend of the tool cannula 104. The control gimbal allows combinations of vertical and lateral deflection, giving 360° deflection as shown in
The control gimbal 148 includes a locking mechanism that allows an instrument orientation to be temporarily fixed until further deflection is needed. This feature allows a user to fix a trajectory for multiple instruments that are to be sequentially used at a particular location. For example, once the orientation of a tool cannula 104 is set, a certain step in the procedure may be performed using a first instrument passed through that cannula. When a subsequent step requiring a different instrument is to be performed, the instruments are exchanged without moving the tool cannula 104. This allows the second instrument to be advanced to the exact location at which it is needed without additional steering.
One exemplary locking mechanism includes a pair of locking screws 198 that are tightened as shown by arrows in
An alternate gimbal arrangement is shown in
A gimbal 210 includes a collar 212 mounted on the instrument port 202 and four wings 214 radiating from the collar 212. Each pullwire 128 is coupled to one of the wings 214. Struts 216 extend proximally from the wings 214 and are joined to a sleeve 218 through which a portion of the instrument shaft 208 extends. Collar 212 is moveable relative to the instrument port 202, and in particular collar 212 is rotatable about its central axis, and pivotable in multiple directions. Movement of the collar 212 places one or more of the pullwires 128 under tension and results in deflection of the cannula 104. Since the instrument shaft 208 is coupled to the collar 212 by struts 216, a user can manipulate the instrument shall 208 handle in an intuitive manner similar to a joystick to allow the user to steer the distal end of the cannula 104 in the desired direction.
Referring to
A ring 176 is pivotally mounted to mount 172 at pivots 178, and semi-spherical ball 180 is pivotally mounted within the ring 176 at pivots 182.
The gimbal 302 of
Ball 180 includes a distal surface 314 as shown in
Each pullwire used to deflect the tool cannula extends through one of the slots 318a-d and is anchored within a terminal 310a-d of one of the four sliding terminals 308a-d.
A tubular instrument port 320 is centrally positioned on the proximal surface 316 of the ball 180. A retainer cap 322 covers the surface 316, such that the instrument port 320 extends through a central opening 324 in the retainer cap. The sliding terminal plates 308a-d are sandwiched between the surface 316 and the retainer cap 322.
A retaining ring 330 is engaged with the instrument port 320 and functions to hold the cap 322, terminal plates 308a-d, and ball 180 together such that the follower pins 312a-d remain within the spiral slot 328. Cap is rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions relative to the instrument port 320. Rotation of the cap will increase or decrease the sensitivity of the gimbal system. More specifically, if the cap is rotated in a first direction, the spiral rib 326 will cause the pins 312a-d to advance through the spiral slot towards the outer circumference of the cap, causing the terminal plates to slide radially outwardly within slots, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the gimbal system. If the cap is rotated in a second direction, the pins will advance through the spiral slot toward the center of the cap, causing the terminal plates to slide radially inwardly within the slots so as to loosen the tension on the pullwires and to decrease the sensitivity of the gimbal, system. Markings 328 on the cap 322 and a corresponding pointer 330 instruct the user as to the level of sensitivity achieved when the cap is in one of the designated rotational positions relative to the pointer 330.
In alternative configurations for adjusting gimbal sensitivity, the user may have the option to set different sensitivity levels for different ones of the pull wires.
The system is preferably packed in a kit containing instructions for use instructing the user to use the system in the manner disclosed herein.
The embodiments disclosed above utilize locking spine devices in natural orifice procedures to locate tools at or near the abdominal walls such that the tools may be manipulated in a way that is intuitive to the surgeon given his/her experience with laparoscopic and/or open surgical techniques. Other systems that achieve this objective without the use of a locking spine are also useable and fall within the scope of this disclosure. One example is shown in
While certain embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example, and not limitation. While these systems provide convenient embodiments for carrying out this function, there are many other instruments or systems varying in form or detail that may alternatively be used within the scope of the present invention. This is especially true in light of technology and terms within the relevant art(s) that may be later developed. Moreover, the disclosed embodiments may be combined with one another in varying ways to produce additional embodiments.
Any and all patents, patent applications and printed publications referred to above are incorporated by reference, including those relied upon for purposes of priority.
Claims
1. A natural orifice surgical system comprising:
- an elongate support having a flexible position and a rigid position, the support proportioned for insertion into a body cavity through a natural orifice;
- an expandable frame supported by the elongate support in the rigid system, the frame expandable to an expanded position; and
- at least two tool cannulas coupled to the expandable frame, each tool cannula having a lumen for receiving a tool for performing a procedure within the body cavity, wherein the frame in the expanded position positions the lumens to give tools positioned in the cannulas access to a common operative site.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongate support includes a segmented spine formed of a plurality of spine elements coupled by a cable, the support moveable from the flexible to the rigid position upon application of tension to the cable.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongate support includes a lumen, and wherein the tool cannula extends through the lumen.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the tool cannula includes a plurality of pull wires coupled to a distal portion of the tool cannula, the distal portion deflectable in response to application of tension on at least one of the pull wires.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the pull wires include proximal ends coupled to a gimbal, the gimbal moveable in multiple directions to apply tension to the pull wires.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the gimbal includes a tool port having an opening, wherein the gimbal is moveable by movement of the tool port, and wherein the tool port is proported to receive a distal end of a tool as the distal end of the tool is advanced into the tool cannula.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the tool port is moveable through movement of a handle of a tool positioned within the tool port.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame includes at least two frame members, each frame member pivotally coupled to a tool cannula.
9. The system of claim 1, further including an access cannula insertable into a natural orifice and an anchor coupled to the access cannula and expandable to retain the access cannula within an incision formed within a wall of an internal body organ, the access cannula having a lumen, the elongate support, frame and tool cannulas insertable through the lumen of the access cannula when the frame is in a collapsed position.
10. The system of claim 4, wherein the system further includes a mount, and a pair of actuators on the mount, wherein the pullwires of each tool cannula are coupled to one of the actuators.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein each actuator includes an instrument port, such that a tool positioned in one of the tool cannulas extends through a corresponding one of the instruments ports, and wherein movement of a handle of a tool within the instrument port actuates the pullwires.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the mount is attachable to a surgical table.
13. A method of performing a minimally invasive medical procedure, comprising the steps of:
- advancing an elongate support in a flexible state through a natural orifice and through an incision in a body organ into a body cavity;
- converting the elongate support from a flexible state to a rigid state;
- expanding a frame carried by the elongate support within the body cavity, the frame having a pair of tool cannulas coupled thereto;
- positioning medical tools within the tool cannulas and performing a procedure within the body cavity using the medical tools.
14. The method of claim 13, further including the step of deflecting the distal portions of a tool cannula to alter the position of the medical tool extending through the tool cannula into the body cavity.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein deflecting the tool cannula includes applying tension to a combination of pull wires coupled to a distal portion of the tool cannula.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein a proximal portion of the tool extends through a tool port, wherein the pull wires are coupled to the tool port, and wherein deflecting the tool cannula includes manipulating the proximal portion of the tool.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes adjusting an amount by which tool cannula deflection is amplified relative to corresponding movement of the tool.
18. The method of claim 14, further including the step of locking the tool cannula in a deflected position.
19. The method of claim 18, further including the step of, with the tool cannula in the deflected position, withdrawing the tool from the tool cannula and inserting a second tool into the tool cannula.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the natural orifice is selected from the group of natural orifices including the mouth, the vagina and the rectum.
21. The method of claim 13, wherein in the rigid state the support member assumes a curvature selected to orient the tool cannulas towards a target site within the body cavity.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the incision is in the stomach, and wherein the curvature causes the support member to extend in anterior and superior directions from the incision.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the incision is in the stomach, and wherein the curvature positions the tools in the tool cannulas for access to a gall bladder within the body cavity.
24. The method of claim 13, wherein expansion of the frame orients distal openings in the tool cannulas towards a target site within the body.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 16, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 17, 2011
Inventors: Michael S. Williams (Santa Rosa, CA), Richard S. Stack (Chapel Hill, NC), Geoffrey A. Orth (Sebastopol, CA), Jeffrey A. Smith (Petaluma, CA), Richard A. Glenn (Santa Rosa, CA), Daniel W. Fifer (Windsor, CA), William L. Athas (Chapel Hill, NC), Aurora Pryor (Durham, NC)
Application Number: 12/947,784
International Classification: A61B 17/32 (20060101);