Laparoscopic instruments and trocar systems and related surgical method
View Patent ↗Laparoscopic instruments and trocars are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. A generally C-shaped trocar provides increased work space between the hands of the surgeon as well as S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the trocar when laparoscopic instrument—trocar units are placed through the umbilicus. In order to facilitate retraction of intra-abdominal structures during a laparoscopic procedure, an angulated needle and thread with either one-or two sharp ends is provided. Alternatively, an inflatable unit having at least one generally C-shaped trocar incorporated within the unit's walls can be placed through the umbilicus following a single incision. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments may be placed through the generally C-shaped trocars to facilitate access to intra-abdominal structures.
1. A surgical access system comprising:
first and second spaced apart trocars; and
a unit having a flexible lateral wall at least partially defining a surgical workspace, the trocars both having first and second openings incorporated into the unit with first ends of said trocars extending proximally from said unit and second ends of said trocars extending distally into said surgical workspace, the trocars being incorporated within the flexible lateral wall of the unit, the access system configured to enable separation of first and second surgical instruments inserted therethrough to increase the working space between the hands of a surgeon and reduce interference of the surgeon's hands holding proximal portions of the instruments.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first trocar is flexible.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system includes first and second instruments each having a distal curve.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system includes first and second instruments each having a distal end angled toward each other.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system includes first and second instruments each having a handle, a gap between the handles of the instruments creates a working space, and the unit includes a reduced lateral dimension, the working space having a lateral dimension greater than the reduced lateral dimension.
6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the second trocar is flexible.
7. The system of claim 3 , wherein the first and second instruments each have a proximal curve.
8. The system of claim 5 , wherein the lateral wall is a sleeve, the sleeve extending inwardly in a distal direction.
9. A surgical access system comprising:
a unit having a flexible lateral wall defining a portion of a surgical site;
a plurality of trocars each having a proximal opening and a distal opening to receive a surgical instrument for access to a patient's body, said distal opening extending into the surgical site, the trocars being positioned within the flexible lateral wall of the unit; and
a plurality of instruments insertable through the respective trocars, the instruments each having a distal tip, wherein the instruments are configured to extend into the body cavity through the respective trocar and the distal tips oldie instrument are faceable toward each other to access the target site.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein each of the instruments includes a shaft and the tips are positioned at an angle to the shaft.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein handles of the instruments angle away from each other.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein a proximal portion of each of the instruments is at an angle to a shaft of the instrument.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the instruments have an S-shaped configuration.
14. A surgical access system for enabling performing a cholecystectomy through a single opening in a patient, the system comprising a unit having a flexible lateral wall, the flexible lateral wall defining at least a portion of a surgical workspace, and a plurality of independent flexible trocars each having a proximal opening and a distal opening dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument, the trocars being mounted in the flexible lateral wall of the unit and a first instrument having a first distal end and a second instrument having a second distal end, the first distal end pointable to the second distal end of the instrument inside a patient's body within the surgical workspace, the instruments being manipulatable at a proximal end outside the patient's body.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the surgical instruments are angled away from each other at a proximal end.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the instruments each include a shaft and a distal end of the instrument extends at an angle to the shaft.
17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the instruments are S-shaped in configuration.
18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the instruments are C-shaped in configuration.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the trocars are C-shaped in configuration.
20. A surgical access system comprising:
a unit having a proximal end and a distal end, the unit having a flexible lateral wall at least partially defining a surgical workspace;
a plurality of independent trocars, the unit containing the plurality of independent trocars, the trocars being incorporated in the flexible lateral wall of the unit, the plurality of independent trocars extending from the unit to provide access to a surgical site defined in proximity to the surgical workspace; and
first and second surgical instruments, each instrument insertable through a respective independent trocar and the respective independent trocar being bendable by the instrument inserted therethrough, and a distal tip of the first instrument and a distal tip of the second instrument are pointable toward each other.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the flexible lateral wall is a sleeve.