US5716327A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Body wall retraction system for wide cavity retraction
Assignee: Covidien AG
•
Filing: 1996-06-25
•
Granted: 1998-02-10
•
Expires: 2016-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for creating a surgical work space by lifting the abdominal wall and retracting abdominal organs during surgery utilizes a lifting body having two or more retraction rods supported by the lifting body. The rods are designed to be introduced into the abdominal cavity through a laparoscopic puncture opening and to be extended within the abdominal cavity to provide a lifting area. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of retraction rods disposed with the bores and substantially parallel to each other are inserted into the abdominal cavity through an incision in the abdominal wall. The retraction rods are spread apart from each other while their parallel orientation is maintained. The lifting body is connected to a lifting arm and lifted, causing the retraction rods to lift and support the abdominal wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Warner
- 👤 Albert K. Chin
- 👤 Tim J. Kovac
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0281; A61B17/0218; A61B90/00; A61B90/50; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320044; A61B2017/320048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
An apparatus for laparoscopically lifting a body wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis; a first lifting rod having a proximal section carried by the lifting body and further having a distal section; a second lifting rod carried by the lifting body and having a proximal section and a distal section; means mounting the first lifting rod for linear movement relative to the lifting body and independently of the second lifting rod between a condition where the distal sections of the first and second lifting rods are proximal to each other for insertion through a small laparoscopic incision of limited area in the body wall and a lifting position in which the distal section of the first lifting rod is spaced from the distal section of the second lifting rod for interior engagement by the distal sections of an area of the body wall exceeding the limited area of the small laparoscopic incision and in which the distal sections occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body, the first lifting rod mounted for movement in a direction of movement which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the lifting body; wherein the lifting body is moveable to an elevated condition following insertion of the lifting rods through the incision, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means attachable to the lifting body for supporting the lifting body in the elevated condition with the lifting rods in the lifting position and for imparting a lifting force to the lifting body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
268 words
An apparatus for laparoscopically lifting a body wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis; a first lifting rod having a proximal section carried by the lifting body and further having a distal section; a second lifting rod carried by the lifting body and having a proximal section and a distal section; means mounting the first lifting rod for linear movement relative to the lifting body and independently of the second lifting rod between a condition where the distal sections of the first and second lifting rods are proximal to each other for insertion through a small laparoscopic incision of limited area in the body wall and a lifting position in which the distal section of the first lifting rod is spaced from the distal section of the second lifting rod for interior engagement by the distal sections of an area of the body wall exceeding the limited area of the small laparoscopic incision and in which the distal sections occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body, the first lifting rod mounted for movement in a direction of movement which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the lifting body; wherein the lifting body is moveable to an elevated condition following insertion of the lifting rods through the incision, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means attachable to the lifting body for supporting the lifting body in the elevated condition with the lifting rods in the lifting position and for imparting a lifting force to the lifting body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distal section of the first lifting rod is fixed in angular relation to the proximal section and the first lifting rod is mounted to the lifting body such that linear movement of the proximal section produces rectilinear movement of the distal section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the distal sections of the first and second lifting rods are substantially parallel when in the first and second positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the lifting body further comprises: a first body portion and a second body portion joined for relative rotational movement therebetween, the first and second lifting rods mounted to the second body portion; and locking means for preventing relative rotational movement of the first and second body portions when an excess of a predetermined loading force is delivered to the lifting rods.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lifting body further comprises at least one bore passing through the lifting body, the bore proportioned for receiving the first or second lifting rod.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for lifting a body wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis; a first lifting rod receivable by the lifting body for select extension laterally of the lifting body; a second lifting rod receivable by the lifting body, the first lifting rod capable of being extended independently of the second lifting rod; the first lifting rod linearly moveable relative to the lifting body and independently of the second lifting rod between a condition where a distal portion of the first lifting rod is proximal to a distal portion of the second lifting rod for insertion through a small laparoscopic incision of limited area in the body wall, and a lifting condition in which the distal portions of the first and second rods are spaced from one another for interior engagement of an area of the body wall exceeding the limited area of the small laparoscopic incision and in which the distal portions of the first and second rods occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body; wherein the lifting body is moveable to an elevated condition following insertion of the lifting rods through the incision, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means attachable to the lifting body for supporting the lifting body in the elevated condition with the lifting rods in the lifting condition and for imparting a lifting force to the lifting body.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for lifting a body wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis; a first lifting rod receivable by the lifting body for select extension laterally of the lifting body; a second lifting rod receivable by the lifting body, the first lifting rod capable of being extended independently of the second lifting rod; the first lifting rod linearly moveable relative to the lifting body and independently of the second lifting rod between a condition where a distal portion of the first lifting rod is proximal to a distal portion of the second lifting rod for insertion through a small laparoscopic incision of limited area in the body wall, and a lifting condition in which the distal portions of the first and second rods are spaced from one another for interior engagement of an area of the body wall exceeding the limited area of the small laparoscopic incision and in which the distal portions of the first and second rods occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body; wherein the lifting body is moveable to an elevated condition following insertion of the lifting rods through the incision, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means attachable to the lifting body for supporting the lifting body in the elevated condition with the lifting rods in the lifting condition and for imparting a lifting force to the lifting body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means mounting the first and second lifting rods includes at least one bore in the lifting body proportioned for receiving the first lifting rod.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for lifting the abdominal wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis and including a pair of bores; a first lifting rod at least partially disposed within one of the pair of bores for select extension laterally of the lifting body, the first lifting rod including a distal portion and a proximal portion joined together at an angle, the distal portion being extendable laterally of the lifting body; and a second lifting rod having proximal and distal portions, the second lifting rod at least partially disposed within one of the bores and fixed to the lifting body, the first lifting rod capable of being extended between a condition where a distal portion of the first lifting rod is adjacent to a distal portion of the second lifting rod for insertion through a small laparoscopic incision of limited area in the abdominal wall, and a lifting condition in which the distal portions of the first and second rods are spaced from one another for interior engagement of an area of the abdominal wall exceeding the limited area of the small laparoscopic incision and in which the distal portions of the first and second rods occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for lifting the abdominal wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis and including a pair of bores; a first lifting rod at least partially disposed within one of the pair of bores for select extension laterally of the lifting body, the first lifting rod including a distal portion and a proximal portion joined together at an angle, the distal portion being extendable laterally of the lifting body; and a second lifting rod having proximal and distal portions, the second lifting rod at least partially disposed within one of the bores and fixed to the lifting body, the first lifting rod capable of being extended between a condition where a distal portion of the first lifting rod is adjacent to a distal portion of the second lifting rod for insertion through a small laparoscopic incision of limited area in the abdominal wall, and a lifting condition in which the distal portions of the first and second rods are spaced from one another for interior engagement of an area of the abdominal wall exceeding the limited area of the small laparoscopic incision and in which the distal portions of the first and second rods occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: the distal portions of the first and second lifting rods are substantially arcuate, and the distal portions of the first and second lifting rods are substantially parallel when the rods are in their first and second relative positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the lifting body further comprises: a first body portion and a second body portion joined for relative rotational movement therebetween, the first and second lifting rods mounted to the second body portion; and locking means for preventing relative rotational movement of the first and second body portions when in excess of a predetermined loading force is delivered to the lifting rods.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus for lifting a body wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis and further including a bore; a first lifting rod carried by the lifting body and slidable within the bore for select extension laterally of the lifting body, the first lifting rod including a distal portion and a proximal portion; a second lifting rod having proximal and distal portions, the second lifting rod fixed to the lifting body, the first lifting rod linearly extendable between a first condition where a distal portion of the first lifting rod is adjacent to a distal portion of the second lifting rod and a second condition in which the distal portions of the first and second rods are spaced from one another and in which the distal portions of the first and second rods occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body; wherein the lifting body is moveable to an elevated condition following insertion of the lifting rods through the incision, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means attachable to the lifting body for supporting the lifting body in the elevated condition with the lifting rods in the lifting condition and for imparting a lifting force to the lifting body.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus for lifting a body wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis and further including a bore; a first lifting rod carried by the lifting body and slidable within the bore for select extension laterally of the lifting body, the first lifting rod including a distal portion and a proximal portion; a second lifting rod having proximal and distal portions, the second lifting rod fixed to the lifting body, the first lifting rod linearly extendable between a first condition where a distal portion of the first lifting rod is adjacent to a distal portion of the second lifting rod and a second condition in which the distal portions of the first and second rods are spaced from one another and in which the distal portions of the first and second rods occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body; wherein the lifting body is moveable to an elevated condition following insertion of the lifting rods through the incision, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means attachable to the lifting body for supporting the lifting body in the elevated condition with the lifting rods in the lifting condition and for imparting a lifting force to the lifting body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the distal portions of the first and second lifting rods are substantially parallel when the first lifting rod is in the first and second conditions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: the distal portions of the first and second lifting rods are substantially arcuate; and the distal portions of the first and second lifting rods are substantially parallel when the first lifting rod is in the first and second conditions.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus for lifting a body wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis and a pair of bores; a first lifting rod partially disposed within one of the pair of bores for select extension laterally of the lifting body; and a second lifting rod partially disposed within one of the pair of bores, the first lifting rod capable of being extended independently of the second lifting rod; the first and second lifting rods linearly moveable relative to the lifting body between a first relative condition where a distal portion of the first lifting rod is proximal to a distal portion of the second lifting rod for insertion through a small laparoscopic incision of limited area in the body wall, and a second relative condition in which the distal portions of the first and second rods are spaced from one another for interior engagement of an area of the body wail exceeding the limited area of the small laparoscopic incision and in which the distal portions of the first and second rods occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus for lifting a body wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis and a pair of bores; a first lifting rod partially disposed within one of the pair of bores for select extension laterally of the lifting body; and a second lifting rod partially disposed within one of the pair of bores, the first lifting rod capable of being extended independently of the second lifting rod; the first and second lifting rods linearly moveable relative to the lifting body between a first relative condition where a distal portion of the first lifting rod is proximal to a distal portion of the second lifting rod for insertion through a small laparoscopic incision of limited area in the body wall, and a second relative condition in which the distal portions of the first and second rods are spaced from one another for interior engagement of an area of the body wail exceeding the limited area of the small laparoscopic incision and in which the distal portions of the first and second rods occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the distal portions of the first and second lifting rods are substantially parallel when in the first and second relative conditions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the lifting body further comprises: a first body portion and a second body portion joined for relative rotational movement therebetween, the first and second lifting rods mounted to the second body portion; and locking means for preventing relative rotational movement of the first and second body portions when in excess of a predetermined loading force is delivered to the lifting rods.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for lifting the abdominal wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis and including a bore; a first lifting rod at least partially disposed within the bore, the first lifting rod including a distal portion and a proximal portion extending laterally of the distal portion, the distal portion being linearly extendable laterally of the lifting body; and a second lifting rod carried by the lifting body and having proximal and distal portions, the first lifting rod extendable relative to the lifting body and independently of the second lifting rod between a condition where a distal portion of the first lifting rod is adjacent to a distal portion of the second lifting rod and a lifting condition in which the distal portions of the first and second rods are spaced from one another and in which the distal portions of the first and second rods occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for lifting the abdominal wall, the apparatus comprising: a lifting body capable of receiving a lifting force, the lifting body having a longitudinal axis and including a bore; a first lifting rod at least partially disposed within the bore, the first lifting rod including a distal portion and a proximal portion extending laterally of the distal portion, the distal portion being linearly extendable laterally of the lifting body; and a second lifting rod carried by the lifting body and having proximal and distal portions, the first lifting rod extendable relative to the lifting body and independently of the second lifting rod between a condition where a distal portion of the first lifting rod is adjacent to a distal portion of the second lifting rod and a lifting condition in which the distal portions of the first and second rods are spaced from one another and in which the distal portions of the first and second rods occupy a lifting plane which extends transversely across the longitudinal axis of the lifting body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the distal portions of the first and second lifting rods are substantially parallel when the first lifting rod is in the first and second conditions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: the distal portions of the first and second lifting rods are substantially arcuate; and the distal portions of the first and second lifting rods are substantially parallel when the first lifting rod is in the first and second conditions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1618261A
Cited
US1060350A
Cited
US1275520A
Cited
US1798124A
Cited
US1947649A
Cited
US2663020A
Cited
US2841148A
Cited
US3039468A
Cited
DE1516411A1
Cited
US3460539A
Cited
US3626949A
Cited
US3631859A
Cited
US3717151A
Cited
US3774596A
Cited
US3782370A
Cited
US3831587A
Cited
US3868957A
Cited
US3863639A
Cited
US3961632A
Cited
US4077412A
Cited
US4052980A
Cited
US4083369A
Cited
AU516114B2
Cited
US4502485A
Cited
US4240433A
Cited
US4183102A
Cited
DE2847633A1
Cited
US4291687A
Cited
SU797668A1
Cited
EP0010650A1
Cited
US4254762A
Cited
FR2474304A1
Cited
US4357940A
Cited
US4709697A
Cited
US4572179A
Cited
US4430076A
Cited
US4535773A
Cited
US4459978A
Cited
US4447227A
Cited
US4693243A
Cited
US4601710A
Cited
US4601710B1
Cited
US4763635A
Cited
DE8516296U1
Cited
US4598699A
Cited
US4662955A
Cited
US4705040A
Cited
DE3600789A1
Cited
US4654030A
Cited
EP0246086A2
Cited
EP0251976A2
Cited
US4744363A
Cited
US4775371A
Cited
EP0275230A2
Cited
US4765331A
Cited
US4779611A
Cited
US4919152A
Cited
US4944443A
Cited
US5007898A
Cited
US4966583A
Cited
US5183463A
Cited
US5002557A
Cited
US5176697A
Cited
US5083576A
Cited
FR2646088A1
Cited
US5100426A
Cited
US4984564A
Cited
US5014407A
Cited
US5122122A
Cited
US5163949A
Cited
EP0449663A2
Cited
US5271385A
Cited
EP0464463A1
Cited
US5122155A
Cited
US5141515A
Cited
US5195507A
Cited
US5209747A
Cited
US5082005A
Cited
US5195505A
Cited
US5062847A
Cited
US5197948A
Cited
US5176128A
Cited
DE9102759U1
Cited
US5188630A
Cited
US5133724A
Cited
DE9104383U1
Cited
US5183464A
Cited
US5183033A
Cited
EP0531710A2
Cited
US5289817A
Cited
US5275608A
Cited
US5195506A
Cited
US5152279A
Cited
US5280782A
Cited
US5176692A
Cited
DE9202305U1
Cited
FR2688695A1
Cited
US5254130A
Cited
US5284130A
Cited
US5269753A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-02-09 | 2001-08-11 | 2002-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-09 | 2005-08-11 | 2006-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-09 | 2009-08-11 | 2010-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |