US5431173A — Method and apparatus for body structure manipulat…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 99 words

A method of removing the gallbladder from an abdominal cavity, said method comprising laparoscopically inserting a compression elastic balloon into the abdominal cavity and inflating said balloon to displace the liver and gallbladder for access, wherein the gallbladder is gripped and laparoscopically withdrawn by: a) externally gripping the gallbladder; b) laparoscopically piercing the gallbladder with a needle carrying a gripping balloon to dispose the gripping balloon within the gallbladder; c) inflating the gripping balloon to internally grip the gallbladder; d) manipulating the needle with the gallbladder engaged; and, e) withdrawing the needle with the gallbladder engaged therefrom the body.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 99 words

A method of removing the gallbladder from an abdominal cavity, said method comprising laparoscopically inserting a compression elastic balloon into the abdominal cavity and inflating said balloon to displace the liver and gallbladder for access, wherein the gallbladder is gripped and laparoscopically withdrawn by: a) externally gripping the gallbladder; b) laparoscopically piercing the gallbladder with a needle carrying a gripping balloon to dispose the gripping balloon within the gallbladder; c) inflating the gripping balloon to internally grip the gallbladder; d) manipulating the needle with the gallbladder engaged; and, e) withdrawing the needle with the gallbladder engaged therefrom the body.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method according to claim 1, wherein the gallbladder is drained through the needle prior to inflation of the gripping balloon.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 145 words

A device for manipulating a hollow body structure, said device comprising a first rigid tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; a second rigid tubular member internal to said first tubular member; an expandable member affixed at the distal end of said second tubular member, said expandable member being inverted within said second tubular member; a third tubular member, accommodating piercing means on the distal end thereof, said third tubular member being slidable within said first tubular member to expose said piercing means beyond the distal end of said first tubular member, and slidable to retract said piercing means into said first tubular member; and PG,33 means for selectively expanding said expandable member from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration; and means for aspiration of fluid from near the distal end of said device to the proximal end of said device.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 145 words

A device for manipulating a hollow body structure, said device comprising a first rigid tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; a second rigid tubular member internal to said first tubular member; an expandable member affixed at the distal end of said second tubular member, said expandable member being inverted within said second tubular member; a third tubular member, accommodating piercing means on the distal end thereof, said third tubular member being slidable within said first tubular member to expose said piercing means beyond the distal end of said first tubular member, and slidable to retract said piercing means into said first tubular member; and PG,33 means for selectively expanding said expandable member from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration; and means for aspiration of fluid from near the distal end of said device to the proximal end of said device.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 57 words

A device according to claim 3 further comprising a reduction of diameter of said first tubular member at the distal end thereof to form a tip and a surface which serves as a stop when said tip is moved axially to penetrate an opening of a size smaller than the outer diameter of said first tubular member.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

A device according to claim 4 wherein said tip defines a primary axial opening for accommodating said third tubular member and further defines at least one orifice communicating with said axial opening.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 44 words

A device according to claim 3 further comprising gripping means at the proximal end thereof, said gripping means communicating with said third tubular member to axially advance said piercing means to an extended position protruding from the distal end of said first tubular member.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

A device according to claim 6 further comprising locking means to lock said piercing means in an extended position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 25 words

A device according to claim 7 further comprising a seal at the proximal end of said third tubular member slidably contacting said second tubular member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 37 words

A device according to claim 7 wherein said locking means is disengageable to disengage said piercing means from the locked extended position to retract said third tubular member to a retracted position within said first tubular member.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 25 words

A device according to claim 3 further comprising pumping means for introducing gas or air through said second tubular member to inflate said expandable member.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 25 words

A device according to claim 10 wherein said pumping means provides gas or air to evert said expandable member out of said second tubular member.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 12 words

A device according to claim 10 wherein said pumping means comprises bellows.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 13 words

A device according to claim 10 wherein said pumping means is a piston.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 17 words

A device according to claim 3 further comprising means for releasing pressure to deflate said expandable member.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 18 words

A device according to claim 3 wherein said piercing means comprising a cauterizing tip on said rigid shaft.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 13 words

A device according to claim 15 wherein said rigid shaft is electrically insulated.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 51 words

A device according to claim 15 wherein said cauterizing tip comprises a tab extending from the distal end of said shaft, said tab capable of cauterizing an arc in tissue of approximately the radius of said first tubular member with a length of less than about one-half of the diameter thereof.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 137 words

A device for manipulating a hollow body structure, said device comprising a first rigid tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; a second rigid tubular member located within said first tubular member and slidable within said first tubular member; an expandable elastomer sleeve having one edge circumferentially attached to the distal end of said first tubular member and the other edge circumferentially attached to the distal end of said second tubular member; piercing means within said second tubular member, said piercing means comprising a hollow rigid shaft with a pointed tip at the distal end thereof, said shaft comprising means for aspirating fluid from near the distal end of said device to the proximal end of said device; means for selectively expanding said expandable elastomer sleeve from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 137 words

A device for manipulating a hollow body structure, said device comprising a first rigid tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; a second rigid tubular member located within said first tubular member and slidable within said first tubular member; an expandable elastomer sleeve having one edge circumferentially attached to the distal end of said first tubular member and the other edge circumferentially attached to the distal end of said second tubular member; piercing means within said second tubular member, said piercing means comprising a hollow rigid shaft with a pointed tip at the distal end thereof, said shaft comprising means for aspirating fluid from near the distal end of said device to the proximal end of said device; means for selectively expanding said expandable elastomer sleeve from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 36 words

A device according to claim 18 wherein the distal end of said second tubular member is extendable beyond the distal end of said first tubular member to maintain a flat shape to said expandable elastomer sleeve.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 38 words

A device according to claim 18 further comprising a slidable seal at the proximal end of said device for longitudinal translation of said second tubular member within said first tubular member while maintaining a gas tight seal therebetween.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 44 words

A device according to claim 18 wherein said hollow shaft is lockable in place by a locking means at the proximal end of said device in a position wherein said pointed tip extends beyond the distal end of said first and second tubular members.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 25 words

A device according to claim 21 wherein said hollow shaft is unlockable for withdrawal of said pointed tip into said first or second tubular members.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 39 words

A device according to claim 18 wherein said second tubular member is slidable for withdrawal of the distal end thereof into the distal end of said first tubular member, thereby forming an expandable annulus from said expandable elastomeric sleeve.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 143 words

A method of manipulating a hollow body organ comprising the steps of: piercing said organ to form an opening with a device comprising an elongate shaft, a retractable piercing means protruding from one end of said shaft and an inverted expandable member having a peripherally sealed mouth located within said shaft; said shaft having a reduction in diameter to define a tip at said end and stopping means for impeding entry of said shaft into said body organ when said tip is moved longitudinally through said opening; inserting said piercing means and said tip into said body organ until insertion is impeded by said stopping means; retracting said piercing means into said shaft; everting said expandable member into said organ by forcing air into said mouth of said member; inflating said expandable member within said organ; and manipulating said organ with said device.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 143 words

A method of manipulating a hollow body organ comprising the steps of: piercing said organ to form an opening with a device comprising an elongate shaft, a retractable piercing means protruding from one end of said shaft and an inverted expandable member having a peripherally sealed mouth located within said shaft; said shaft having a reduction in diameter to define a tip at said end and stopping means for impeding entry of said shaft into said body organ when said tip is moved longitudinally through said opening; inserting said piercing means and said tip into said body organ until insertion is impeded by said stopping means; retracting said piercing means into said shaft; everting said expandable member into said organ by forcing air into said mouth of said member; inflating said expandable member within said organ; and manipulating said organ with said device.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method according to claim 24 further comprising the step of withdrawing fluid contents from said organ through said device prior to inflating said expandable member.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 14 words

A method according to claim 24 wherein said stopping means comprises an annular surface.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 97 words

A method for manipulating a hollow body organ comprising the steps of piercing said organ by electrocautery with an electrocauterizing tip on a device comprising an elongate shaft having said tip at one end of said shaft and an expandable member having a peripherally sealed mouth located within said shaft, wherein said tip comprises an arcuate tab extending from said end of said shaft; inserting said end of said shaft into said organ through the orifice in said organ formed by said tip; inflating said expandable member within said organ; and manipulating said organ with said device.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 97 words

A method for manipulating a hollow body organ comprising the steps of piercing said organ by electrocautery with an electrocauterizing tip on a device comprising an elongate shaft having said tip at one end of said shaft and an expandable member having a peripherally sealed mouth located within said shaft, wherein said tip comprises an arcuate tab extending from said end of said shaft; inserting said end of said shaft into said organ through the orifice in said organ formed by said tip; inflating said expandable member within said organ; and manipulating said organ with said device.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method according to claim 27 further comprising the step of withdrawing fluid contents from said organ through said device prior to inflating said expandable member.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method according to claim 27 wherein said expandable member within said shaft is inverted, whereby, upon initiation of said step of inflating said expandable member, said member everts into said organ.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 135 words

A method of manipulating a hollow body organ comprising the steps of: piercing said organ with a device comprising telescoping interior and exterior rigid shafts in an extended position whereby the open end of said interior shaft is at one end of said device, a retractable piercing means protruding from said end of said device, and an expandable elastomeric sleeve having one edge circumferentially attached to said open end of said interior shaft and having the other end circumferentially attached to an end of said exterior shaft; retracting said piercing means into said device; inserting said device into said organ to the extent that said end of said exterior shaft enters said organ; retracting said interior shaft into said exterior shaft whereby said sleeve forms an expandable annulus; and inflating said annulus within said organ.

Claim 36

Independent Claim 135 words

A method of manipulating a hollow body organ comprising the steps of: piercing said organ with a device comprising telescoping interior and exterior rigid shafts in an extended position whereby the open end of said interior shaft is at one end of said device, a retractable piercing means protruding from said end of said device, and an expandable elastomeric sleeve having one edge circumferentially attached to said open end of said interior shaft and having the other end circumferentially attached to an end of said exterior shaft; retracting said piercing means into said device; inserting said device into said organ to the extent that said end of said exterior shaft enters said organ; retracting said interior shaft into said exterior shaft whereby said sleeve forms an expandable annulus; and inflating said annulus within said organ.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method according to claim 30 further comprising the step of withdrawing fluid contents from said organ through said device prior to inflating said annulus.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-07-10	1999-01-09	1999-07-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-07-10	2003-01-09	2003-07-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-07-10	2007-01-09	2007-07-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for body structure manipulation and dissection

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag