Abstract: A minimally invasive laparoscopic tissue removal device, namely a morcellator. The device includes, from proximal end to distal end, a handle, handle guard, elongate sheath, and mouth, finally terminating in a safety tip. The elongate sheath and mouth are concentric, such that two elongate, rotating cutting/shredding blades/teeth and one elongate auger feed screw can be positioned along the length of the sheath and mouth. The teeth are opposingly disposed and staggered, such that contact with tissue mass grabs and pulls tissue inwards toward the auger, which transports the tissue proximally toward the outside of the patient's body. A motor unit and gear assembly can be coupled to the teeth and auger to drive rotation of the teeth and auger. A cup assembly can be disposed in overlying relation to the mouth for guiding the tissue mass towards the mouth. Various mechanisms of safely covering the mouth are contemplated as well.

Abstract: A laparoscopic device with obturator. The device facilitates extraction of specimens from a female subject's abdominal cavity through the subject's vagina by also facilitating the suturing of a mesh to the anterior and posterior walls of the subject's vagina. The device includes an elongate sheath that has a flat surface on the front, a curved shape on the back, and an inner port opening formed within the flat surface, where the port opening that enables introduction of instruments or removal of specimens from the peritoneal cavity. An internal obturator can be inserted into the sheath to reduce the size of the port opening into the peritoneal cavity, or can be used to close the inner port opening into the peritoneal cavity. The obturator and sheath can be utilized as firm surfaces against which a user can suture a sacrocolpopexy mesh to the anterior and posteriors vaginal walls.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a synthetic tissue model using one or more semi-flexible polymers or resin with at least one embedded mesh material is provided herein. The model provides suitable simulation of animal tissue designed to mimic tissue stiffness through varying the polymerization to simulate tissue stiffness level. Multiple polymers or multiple layers of polymer possessing different polymerization levels can be used to simulate tissues with different layers, such as skin. A mesh incorporated in the model provides durability, and can simulate layers of tissue through selection of the mesh material. A skin model using silicone-like material with a nylon tulle mesh was used to simulate skin for surgical procedures. The nylon tulle mesh increased resistance to tearing over time, due to insertion of surgical tools, thereby increasing usable life of the model and enhancing training as the model simulated skin for longer periods of time.

Abstract: A vaginal cuff surgical model and methods of manufacture and use thereof. The model includes a body (resembling a vaginal cuff) and appendages (resembling uterosacral ligaments) extending from the body. The model (body and appendages) is formed of silicone, rubber, a polymer, or other suitable material with one or more layers of mesh embedded within the polymeric material. The embedded mesh permits suture between the components of the model. The surgical model permits surgical practice of this important component of a total hysterectomy procedure via suturing across the model and to the appendages.

Abstract: A laparoscopic device with obturator. The device facilitates extraction of specimens from a female subject's abdominal cavity through the subject's vagina by also facilitating the suturing of a mesh to the anterior and posterior walls of the subject's vagina. The device includes an elongate sheath that has a flat surface on the front, a curved shape on the back, and an inner port opening formed within the flat surface, where the port opening that enables introduction of instruments or removal of specimens from the peritoneal cavity. An internal obturator can be inserted into the sheath to reduce the size of the port opening into the peritoneal cavity, or can be used to close the inner port opening into the peritoneal cavity. The obturator and sheath can be utilized as firm surfaces against which a user can suture a sacrocolpopexy mesh to the anterior and posteriors vaginal walls.

Abstract: A minimally invasive laparoscopic tissue removal device, namely a morcellator. The device includes, from proximal end to distal end, a handle, handle guard, elongate sheath, and mouth, finally terminating in a safety tip. The elongate sheath and mouth are concentric, such that two elongate, rotating cutting/shredding blades/teeth and one elongate auger feed screw can be positioned along the length of the sheath and mouth. The teeth are opposingly disposed and staggered, such that contact with tissue mass grabs and pulls tissue inwards toward the auger, which transports the tissue proximally toward the outside of the patient's body. A motor unit and gear assembly can be coupled to the teeth and auger to drive rotation of the teeth and auger. A cup assembly can be disposed in overlying relation to the mouth for guiding the tissue mass towards the mouth. Various mechanisms of safely covering the mouth are contemplated as well.

Abstract: A laparoscopic device with obturator. The device facilitates extraction of specimens from a female subject's abdominal cavity through the subject's vagina by also facilitating the suturing of a mesh to the anterior and posterior walls of the subject's vagina. The device includes an elongate sheath that has a flat surface on the front, a curved shape on the back, and an inner port opening formed within the flat surface, where the port opening that enables introduction of instruments or removal of specimens from the peritoneal cavity. An internal obturator can be inserted into the sheath to reduce the size of the port opening into the peritoneal cavity, or can be used to close the inner port opening into the peritoneal cavity. The obturator and sheath can be utilized as firm surfaces against which a user can suture a sacrocolpopexy mesh to the anterior and posteriors vaginal walls.

Abstract: A minimally invasive laparoscopic tissue removal device, namely a morcellator. The device includes, from proximal end to distal end, a handle, handle guard, elongate sheath, and mouth, finally terminating in a safety tip. The elongate sheath and mouth are concentric, such that two elongate, rotating cutting/shredding blades/teeth and one elongate auger feed screw can be positioned along the length of the sheath and mouth. The teeth are opposingly disposed and staggered, such that contact with tissue mass grabs and pulls tissue inwards toward the auger, which transports the tissue proximally toward the outside of the patient's body. A motor unit and gear assembly can be coupled to the teeth and auger to drive rotation of the teeth and auger. A cup assembly can be disposed in overlying relation to the mouth for guiding the tissue mass towards the mouth. Various mechanisms of safely covering the mouth are contemplated as well.

Abstract: In laparoscopic surgery, small (5-12 mm diameter) incisions are made in an abdominal wall through which instruments dissect and remove specimens that may be several centimeters in diameter. Removal of a sample typically requires either enlarging these incisions or morcellating the sample to pass through sub-centimeter ports. A laparoscopic device permits extraction of the sample to be removed in a female using a vagina, which has sufficient elasticity to accommodate removal of large specimens. A posterior portion of the vagina communicates to an abdomen through a few tissue layers, and is distant from vital anatomic structures. Utilizing the vagina is optimal due to its ease of access to the abdomen and repair, minimal scarring and post-operative pain, and faster recovery following surgery. A deployable collection bag is housed in a sheath, which is deployed into the vagina or an abdominal cavity to extract a large (multiple-centimeter) specimen(s) through the vagina.

Abstract: A radial arm model in combination with a two-way mesh to permit puncturing, dissection/transection, and suturing of the underlying simulation vessels. The current invention also includes a method of training for such a procedure using said model, along with a method of fabricating or manufacturing such a model.

Abstract: A laparoscopy tool includes a sheath and a control wire slideably disposed within a lumen of the sheath. The sheath has a diameter of less than 1.6 mm and is introduced through an abdominal incision. A handle axially displaces the control wire within the lumen and operates a conventional tip with wire-controlled opposing jaws that is introduced through the umbilicus and has a bore formed in its trailing end. A first set of blades in the bore engage grooves formed in the leading end of the control wire and a second set of blades engages the sheath to prevent sheath retraction. A cam displaces the second set of blades away from the sheath for sheath introduction and removal, and toward the sheath to prevent sheath retraction. The tip is removed through the umbilicus and the tool is removed through the abdominal incision when the surgery is completed.

Abstract: A method of treating pelvic prolapse is presented herein. Vaginal support device contains flat superior and inferior surfaces to facilitate affixing of mesh to vagina. Vaginal support device may be used as part of a system in conjunction with a manipulation device to support the vaginal walls. Mesh retention system may also include a holding device and retention mechanism such as a catheter or shaft and corresponding catheter balloon to hold mesh in place.

Abstract: A vaginal cuff surgical model and methods of manufacture and use thereof. The model includes a body (resembling a vaginal cuff) and appendages (resembling uterosacral ligaments) extending from the body. The model (body and appendages) is formed of silicone, rubber, a polymer, or other suitable material with one or more layers of mesh embedded within the polymeric material. The embedded mesh permits suture between the components of the model. The surgical model permits surgical practice of this important component of a total hysterectomy procedure via suturing across the model and to the appendages.

Abstract: A synthetic tissue model using one or more semi-flexible polymers or resin with at least one embedded mesh material is provided herein. The model provides suitable simulation of animal tissue designed to mimic tissue stiffness through varying the polymerization to simulate tissue stiffness level. Multiple polymers or multiple layers of polymer possessing different polymerization levels can be used to simulate tissues with different layers, such as skin. A mesh incorporated in the model provides durability, and can simulate layers of tissue through selection of the mesh material. A skin model using silicone-like material with a nylon tulle mesh was used to simulate skin for surgical procedures. The nylon tulle mesh increased resistance to tearing over time, due to insertion of surgical tools, thereby increasing usable life of the model and enhancing training as the model simulated skin for longer periods of time.

Abstract: A method of treating pelvic prolapse is presented herein. Vaginal support device contains flat superior and inferior surfaces to facilitate affixing of mesh to vagina. Vaginal support device may be used as part of a system in conjunction with a manipulation device to support the vaginal walls. Mesh retention system may also include a holding device and retention mechanism such as a catheter or shaft and corresponding catheter balloon to hold mesh in place.

Abstract: A vaginal support device, vaginal positioning system and associated method of treating pelvic prolapse is presented herein. Vaginal support device contains flat superior and inferior surfaces to facilitate affixing of mesh to vagina. Vaginal support device may be used as part of a system in conjunction with a manipulation device to support the vaginal walls. Mesh retention system may also include a holding device and retention mechanism such as a catheter or shaft and corresponding catheter balloon to hold mesh in place.

Abstract: A laparoscopy tool includes a sheath and a control wire slideably disposed within a lumen of the sheath. The sheath has a diameter of less than 1.6 mm and is introduced through an abdominal incision. A handle axially displaces the control wire within the lumen and operates a conventional tip with wire-controlled opposing jaws that is introduced through the umbilicus and has a bore formed in its trailing end. A first set of blades in the bore engage grooves formed in the leading end of the control wire and a second set of blades engages the sheath to prevent sheath retraction. A cam displaces the second set of blades away from the sheath for sheath introduction and removal, and toward the sheath to prevent sheath retraction. The tip is removed through the umbilicus and the tool is removed through the abdominal incision when the surgery is completed.

Abstract: A vaginal support device, vaginal positioning system and associated method of treating pelvic prolapse is presented herein. Vaginal support device contains flat superior and inferior surfaces to facilitate affixing of mesh to vagina. Vaginal support device may be used as part of a system in conjunction with a manipulation device to support the vaginal walls. Mesh retention system may also include a holding device and retention mechanism such as a catheter or shaft and corresponding catheter balloon to hold mesh in place.

Abstract: A minimally invasive laparoscopic tissue removal device, namely a morcellator. The device includes, from proximal end to distal end, a handle, handle guard, elongate sheath, and mouth, finally terminating in a safety tip. The elongate sheath and mouth are concentric, such that two elongate, rotating cutting/shredding blades/teeth and one elongate auger feed screw can be positioned along the length of the sheath and mouth. The teeth are opposingly disposed and staggered, such that contact with tissue mass grabs and pulls tissue inwards toward the auger, which transports the tissue proximally toward the outside of the patient's body. A motor unit and gear assembly can be coupled to the teeth and auger to drive rotation of the teeth and auger. A cup assembly can be disposed in overlying relation to the mouth for guiding the tissue mass towards the mouth. Various mechanisms of safely covering the mouth are contemplated as well.

Abstract: A laparoscopic device with obturator. The device facilitates extraction of specimens from a female subject's abdominal cavity through the subject's vagina by also facilitating the suturing of a mesh to the anterior and posterior walls of the subject's vagina. The device includes an elongate sheath that has a flat surface on the front, a curved shape on the back, and an inner port opening formed within the flat surface, where the port opening that enables introduction of instruments or removal of specimens from the peritoneal cavity. An internal obturator can be inserted into the sheath to reduce the size of the port opening into the peritoneal cavity, or can be used to close the inner port opening into the peritoneal cavity. The obturator and sheath can be utilized as firm surfaces against which a user can suture a sacrocolpopexy mesh to the anterior and posteriors vaginal walls.