Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for applying intracorporeal traction on an internal body member in a body cavity having a laparoscopic trocar inserted thereinto proximate the body member, comprising: puncturing the body cavity wall with a sharp instrument to form a needle hole; inserting a first end of an acuminate instrument through the needle hole into the body cavity; inserting a sling through the trocar into the body cavity; placing said sling about the body member within the body cavity; extending the acuminate instrument to grasp the sling; and drawing the sling with said acuminate instrument to retract the body member toward said needle hole.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for applying intracorporeal traction on an internal body member in a body cavity having a laparoscopic trocar inserted thereinto proximate the body member, comprising: puncturing the body cavity wall with a sharp instrument to form a needle hole; inserting a first end of an acuminate instrument through the needle hole into the body cavity; inserting a sling through the trocar into the body cavity; placing said sling about the body member within the body cavity; extending the acuminate instrument to grasp the sling; and drawing the sling with said acuminate instrument to retract the body member toward said needle hole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said sharp instrument comprises said acuminate instrument.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for moving an internal body member to a displaced position in a laparoscopic surgical operation within a body cavity, comprising: inserting a miniature sling having attached leads through a laparoscopic port into a body cavity; manipulating the sling and leads to embrace a body member; inserting a thin acuminate instrument through a needle hole into the body cavity; attaching the leads to the thin acuminate instrument; and retracting the instrument and leads through the needle hole to move the internal body member to a displaced position.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for moving an internal body member to a displaced position in a laparoscopic surgical operation within a body cavity, comprising: inserting a miniature sling having attached leads through a laparoscopic port into a body cavity; manipulating the sling and leads to embrace a body member; inserting a thin acuminate instrument through a needle hole into the body cavity; attaching the leads to the thin acuminate instrument; and retracting the instrument and leads through the needle hole to move the internal body member to a displaced position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3, comprising the further step of fixing the retracted leads exterior of the needle hole to maintain the body member in the displaced position.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
186 words
A method in laparoscopic procedures for moving an internal body member from an original position to a displaced position within a body cavity and maintaining the member in the displaced position, comprising: establishing a plurality of laparoscopic ports across a wall separating the body cavity from external the cavity; inserting body member embracing means having lead means attached thereto through a laparoscopic port into the body cavity; inserting a laparoscopic retraction tool through a laparoscopic port and manipulating said embracing means about the body member with said retraction tool; establishing a needle hole through the wall into the body cavity, said needle hole located for drawing said embracing means and the body member to a displaced position; inserting retrieval tool means through said needle hole into the cavity and retrieving said lead means therewith; retracting said retrieval tool means and attached lead means through the needle hole to draw the embracing means and body member to a displaced position; and fixing said lead means external of the body cavity to external fixing means to maintain said embracing means and the body member in said displaced position.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
186 words
A method in laparoscopic procedures for moving an internal body member from an original position to a displaced position within a body cavity and maintaining the member in the displaced position, comprising: establishing a plurality of laparoscopic ports across a wall separating the body cavity from external the cavity; inserting body member embracing means having lead means attached thereto through a laparoscopic port into the body cavity; inserting a laparoscopic retraction tool through a laparoscopic port and manipulating said embracing means about the body member with said retraction tool; establishing a needle hole through the wall into the body cavity, said needle hole located for drawing said embracing means and the body member to a displaced position; inserting retrieval tool means through said needle hole into the cavity and retrieving said lead means therewith; retracting said retrieval tool means and attached lead means through the needle hole to draw the embracing means and body member to a displaced position; and fixing said lead means external of the body cavity to external fixing means to maintain said embracing means and the body member in said displaced position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 5, comprising the further steps of: releasing said lead means from said external fixing means which maintain said embracing means and the body member in said displaced position, and moving the body member to an unrestrained position; and removing said embracing means and lead means from the body cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said step of retracting said retrieval tool means and attached lead means through the needle hole comprises drawing the embracing means and body member to a displaced position away from the primary surgery target area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said step of retracting said retrieval tool means and attached lead means through the needle hole comprises drawing the embracing means and body member to a displaced position for surgical treatment thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said embracing means comprises a sling having a web formed of a soft, flexible, biocompatible, sterilizable material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said lead means comprises suture strands attached to opposed ends of said sling.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said web is formed of one of silicone rubber, latex rubber, urethane, soft plastic or umbilical tape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said body member embracing means is inserted through a first laparoscopic port with a forceps, and said laparoscopic retractor tool is inserted through a second laparoscopic port, and said forceps and said retractor tool are removed from the cavity through said ports after the retriever has retrieved said lead means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said lead means are fixed external the cavity by tying off or clamping.