Vaginal delineation and occlusion device
A vaginal delineator, capable of adjusting to varying lengths of the cervix and angles of the fornix is disclosed. A diaphragm for occluding the vagina, preventing leakage of carbon dioxide from the peritoneal cavity is attachable to the delineator. In an additional embodiment, the vaginal delineator comprises a cup to which a ring is pivotally attached. In this embodiment, the cup acts as the occlusion device.
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIXNot applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a medical device. More particularly the present invention relates to a vaginal occlusion and self-adjusting delineation attachment for use in a uterine mobilizer.
2. Background Art
Conventional hysterectomy surgical procedures typically involve one of four approaches: vaginal hysterectomy, total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), and laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). Vaginal, TLH and LAVH have become more popular among surgeons because these approaches are less invasive than TAH, with TLH being the least invasive approach. TLH is less invasive than LAVH because it avoids the trauma normally caused by the expansion induced to the vaginal area to permit access of the surgeons hands to the cervical area. Unless medical indications require TAH (such as in the case of tumor removal and the associated need to avoid cell spillage), vaginal, TLH and LAVH are usually viewed as more preferable because each is less invasive when compared to major abdominal surgery. Thus, TLH and LAVH approaches usually result in shorter hospitalization and recovery times.
Difficulties arise in TLH and LAVH, however, in identification when the vagina is not well delineated. Another technicality is leakage of carbon dioxide from the peritoneal cavity when the vagina is opened laparoscopically.
Another problem, not appropriately addressed in the prior art, is that human bodies vary considerably. Any vaginal insertion device for surgical procedures must, therefore, be adjustable. Such devices are, preferably, self-adjusting.
There is therefore a need for a vaginal delineation device, attachable to a uterine mobilizer, that also provides occlusion to the vagina to disallow leakage of carbon dioxide. There is a further need for a vaginal delineation and occluding device that is adjustable, and as self-adjusting as possible.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide a vaginal delineator for use in female pelvic surgical procedures that attaches to a uterine mobilizer, such as the Valtchev Uterine Mobilizer, and is self adjusting to various lengths of cervixes and angles of fornices.
The present invention is a device that inserts and locks into a uterine mobilizer, the device comprises a ring that adjusts in angle. The ring is made to bear against the vaginal fornix, conforming to its angle and providing delineation of that part of the vagina for identification thereof.
In a second embodiment, the ring is also self-adjusting as to distance from the uterine mobilizer, to accommodate varying lengths of the cervix. This is effected by pivotally mounting the ring onto four telescopic rods or legs, all spring loaded.
A third embodiment of the present invention is configured like a cup with a rigid ring, pivotally attached at the top of the cup. Again, the pivotal attachment provides accommodation for varying angles of the fornix.
Another object is to provide an occluder to prevent leakage of carbon dioxide from the peritoneal cavity when the vagina is opened laparoscopically. An enlarged portion of an extension at the base of the vaginal delineator, said extension being inserted into the uterine mobilizer, is made to receive a diaphragm made of an elastic material such as plastic, silicon, nylon, etc. The diaphragm obstructs the vaginal cavity toward the outside of the vaginal delineator, preventing leakage of carbon dioxide from the peritoneal cavity.
In the third embodiment of the invention, the cup is the occluding apparatus as well as the structure on which the variable-angle, rigid ring is mounted.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
A first, preferred embodiment of a vaginal delineating and occluding device 100 is shown in
The first pair of legs 210 are preferably of a single piece, solid throughout.
The second pair of legs 230 are telescopic and comprise a plurality of parts as detailed in
A diaphragm 225 of elastic material such as plastic, nylon, silicon, etc. is shown in
A second embodiment of the vaginal delineating and occluding device 100 is shown in
A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The vaginal delineating and occluding device 100 of the first embodiment is shown in use in
The above embodiments are the preferred embodiments, but this invention is not limited thereto. It is, therefore, apparent that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
Claims
1. A method of constructing a vaginal delineator and occluder comprising a solid ring, a plurality of legs, and a base for securing said apparatus to a uterine mobilizer; said method comprising:
- (a) operably, pivotally mounting the solid ring to the plurality of legs; and
- (b) operably affixing the legs to the base.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of legs comprise a distal arm, an outer telescoping arm, and an inner telescoping arm, the method additionally comprising:
- (a) operably, securely affixing the distal arm to the base;
- (b) operably, pivotally affixing the outer telescoping arm to the solid ring;
- (c) engaging a proximal end of the inner telescoping arm into the outer telescoping arm; and
- (d) operably, pivotally attaching a distal end of the inner telescoping arm a proximal end of the distal arm.
3. The method of claim 2, each of the at least some of the plurality of legs also comprising a spring tending to separate the base from the solid ring, the method additionally comprising engaging said spring between the distal arm and the outer telescoping arm such that the spring bears on the distal arm and the outer telescoping arm and forces them apart.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein all the plurality of legs comprise a distal arm, an outer telescoping arm, and an inner telescoping arm.
5. A method of constructing a vaginal delineator and occluder comprising a solid ring, a base for securing said apparatus to a uterine mobilizer, and a cup to obstruct a vagina to prevent leakage of carbon dioxide from a peritoneal cavity; said method comprising:
- (a) operably, pivotally mounting the solid ring to a rim of the cup; and
- (b) operably, rigidly mounting the base to the cup.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the solid ring is circular and the pivotal mounting has an axis through a diameter of the ring.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the solid ring pivots on its pivotal mounting about 15°.
8. The method of claim 7 additionally comprising the steps of:
- (a) sloping a rim of the cup is about 15° each way from a diameter to allow clearance for the ring to pivot; and
- (b) operably, pivotally attaching said ring at an apex of the rim.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the vaginal delineator additionally comprises a diaphragm of elastic material used to obstruct a vagina to prevent leakage of carbon dioxide from a peritoneal cavity, the method additionally comprising the steps of:
- (a) constructing the diaphragm with a thicker periphery than a middle membrane;
- (b) constructing the diaphragm with a thicker inner annulus than the middle membrane; and
- (c) providing a hole in a center of the diaphragm for receiving the base of the vaginal delineator and occluder.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein a plurality of sizes of the diaphragm of elastic material is available.
11. An apparatus for vaginal delineation and occlusion, said apparatus being inserted into a uterine mobilizer, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a solid ring;
- (b) a plurality of legs to which the ring is operably, pivotally mounted; and
- (c) a base for securing said apparatus to the uterine mobilizer, the legs being operably affixed to the base.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 additionally comprising a plurality of legs, the length of said legs being variable to permit the solid ring to tilt to accommodate various angles of a fornix.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the variable-length legs comprise:
- (a) a distal arm, securely, operably affixed to the base;
- (b) an outer telescoping arm, pivotally affixed to the solid ring; and
- (c) an inner telescoping arm connecting the distal arm and the outer telescoping arm, the inner telescoping arm sliding into the outer telescoping arm.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 additionally comprising a spring tending to force the distal arm and the outer telescoping arm apart.
15. An apparatus for vaginal delineation and occlusion, said apparatus being constructed to be inserted into a uterine mobilizer, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a cup to obstruct a vagina to prevent leakage of carbon dioxide from a peritoneal cavity;
- (b) a solid ring operably, pivotally mounted to the cup; and
- (c) a base for securing said apparatus to the uterine mobilizer, said base being operably, rigidly mounted to the cup.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the solid ring is substantially circular, the apparatus additionally comprising a pivotal axis through a diameter of the solid ring at which the solid ring is operably, pivotally mounted to the cup.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 additionally comprising clearance to permit the solid ring to pivot about 15°.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 additionally comprising:
- (a) a sloped rim of the cup, said slope being about 15° each way from a diameter to allow clearance for the ring to pivot; and
- (b) an attachment pin, having an axis at an apex of the cup's rim to which the ring is operably, pivotally attached.
19. An elastic diaphragm for use with a vaginal delineation and occlusion device, said diaphragm comprising:
- (a) a hole in a center of the diaphragm for engaging a base of the vaginal delineation and occlusion device;
- (b) a first annulus surrounding said hole;
- (c) a membrane of annulus shape bordering an outer circumference of the first annulus, said membrane being of thinner material than the first annulus; and
- (d) an outer periphery being of thicker material than the membrane.
20. The elastic diaphragm of claim 19 wherein said diaphragm is made of silicone.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 17, 2003
Publication Date: May 19, 2005
Inventor: Konstantin Valtchev (Toronto)
Application Number: 10/715,104