Low-profile multi-function vessel harvester and method
View Patent ↗A cannula comprises a main body for accommodating both an endoscopic lumen and a working lumen. The main body of the cannula ends at a point proximal to the distal end of the cannula. Extending distally from the point at which the main body end is an endoscopic dissection shaft of decreased diameter, which houses the endoscopic lumen, but not the working lumen. A transparent tapered tip is positioned on the distal end of the endoscopic dissection shaft. Due to the decreased diameter of the endoscopic dissection shaft, the transparent tapered tip has a small diameter, The main body of the cannula ends in a smoothly contoured face that provides minimal trauma to vessel and other tissue that comes in contact with the face as the cannula is advanced through the surgical site. The endoscope is sealed in the endoscopic lumen by the transparent tapered tip to prevent smudging of the endoscope by surrounding blood or tissue during dissection and during surgical procedures performed by surgical tools housed in an auxiliary lumen. A flexible hood extends from the distal end of the working lumen to the proximal edge of the transparent tapered tip to form a tapered profile to facilitate low dissection force and improved maneuverability, and the flexible hood also prevents blood or tissue from entering into the working lumen.
1. Surgical apparatus comprising an elongated cannula further comprising:
a first lumen extending within the cannula between proximal and distal ends thereof for housing an endoscope therein;
a transparent tip disposed at the distal end of the first lumen for performing tissue dissection and providing endoscopic visualization therethrough;
a second lumen eccentric the first lumen and having an open distal end positioned proximal to the distal end of the first lumen for housing a medical instrument therein to protrude from the open distal end for performing procedures on tissue viewed through the transparent tip; and
a flexible hood extending from the distal end of the second lumen and gradually tapering down towards the distal end of the first lumen, the hood maintaining its tapered configuration even in the absence of a medical instrument in the second lumen, to form a smooth transition surface adjacent the transparent tip to facilitate blunt tissue dissection and maneuverability, wherein the flexible hood comprises an open distal end and wherein the flexible hood assumes expanded configuration in response to extension through the distal end thereof of the medical instrument projecting from the open distal end of the second lumen and through the open distal end of the hood.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional lumen.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second lumen houses scissors.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a rotational orientation of the scissors is fixed relative to the transparent tip.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second lumen houses a dissection loop.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second lumen houses a retractor for cradling a vein.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second lumen houses a tool for use in vessel harvesting procedure.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hood is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of latex, silicone rubber, polyurethane and polyethylene.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a distal end of the hood extends substantially to a proximal edge of the transparent tip.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transparent tip is not removable.