LAPAROSCOPIC DEVICE INSERTION CANNULA
The present invention is directed to a laparoscopic device insertion cannula (“LDIC”). The LDIC can be configured to store a surgical implant and can be formed from a hollow cylindrically shaped tube including a tapered closed tip at a distal end and a cap at a proximal end. The hollow tube can also include an opening adjacent the distal end. The opening can be covered, for example, by a flexible window. The flexible window can include a slit from which the surgical implant can be extracted from the LDIC. The surgical implant can be, for example, a gastric band.
1 . A laparoscopic device insertion cannula for holding a gastric band, comprising:
a hollow tube including a distal end, a proximal end, and a tapered tip located at the distal end, the hollow tube defining an opening adjacent to the distal end and configured to hold the gastric band; and
a flexible window covering the opening and having a slit to allow the gastric band to be removed from inside the hollow tube.
2 . The device of claim 1 wherein the flexible window is formed from silicone, pliable plastic, or flexible plastic.
3 . The device of claim 1 wherein the opening is formed in the shape of a rectangle with tapered corners or an oval.
4 . The device of claim 1 wherein the hollow tube includes a cap located at the proximal end.
5 . A surgical implant package comprising:
a sterilized package;
a laparoscopic device insertion cannula including
a hollow tube located in the sterilized package having a distal end, a proximal end, and a tapered tip located at the distal end, the hollow tube defining an opening adjacent to the distal end; and
a surgical implant located within the hollow tube.
6 . The package of claim 5 wherein the laparoscopic device insertion cannula includes a flexible window covering the opening.
7 . The package of claim 6 wherein the flexible window is clear.
8 . The package of claim 6 wherein the flexible window is configured to allow the surgical implant to be extracted from the hollow tube.
9 . The package of claim 6 wherein the flexible window is formed from at least one of silicone, pliable plastic, or flexible plastic.
10 . The package of claim 6 wherein the flexible window defines a slit.
11 . The package of claim 5 wherein the surgical implant is a gastric band.
12 . The package of claim 5 wherein the hollow tube includes a cap located at the proximal end.
13 . A method for implanting a surgical implant in a patient's abdomen comprising:
inserting a laparoscopic device insertion cannula into a patient's abdominal wall; and
extracting a surgical implant from an opening in the laparoscopic device insertion cannula.
14 . The method of claim 13 further comprising inserting a trocar and a guiding rod into the patient's abdominal wall prior to inserting the laparoscopic device insertion cannula into the patient's abdominal wall.
15 . The method of claim 14 further comprising removing the inserted trocar from the patient's abdominal wall prior to inserting the laparoscopic device insertion cannula into the patient's abdominal wall.
16 . The method of claim 15 further comprising:
removing the inserted laparoscopic device insertion cannula from the patient's abdominal wall; and
re-inserting the trocar into the patient's abdominal wall.
17 . The method of claim 13 further comprising using a laparoscopic grasper to extract the surgical implant from the laparoscopic device insertion cannula.
18 . The method of claim 13 further comprising removing the surgical implant through a slit in a flexible window in the laparoscopic device insertion cannula.
19 . The method of claim 13 wherein the surgical implant is a gastric band including a buckle tab.
20 . The method of claim 19 further comprising grasping the buckle tab to extract the gastric band from the laparoscopic device insertion cannula.