Steerable kink-resistant sheath
A steerable kink resistant access device is provided having an elongated body and a steerable portion; methods for manufacturing the kink resistant device are also provided. The access sheath has an outside diameter sufficiently small so that it may be inserted into a body cavity or conduit. The access sheath typically has two internal lumen, a first lumen sized and configured as an access to a surgical site and a second lumen sized and configured to contain a tensioning device that, when acted upon, will deflect the steerable portion. The tensioning device may be directly or remotely attached to an actuation device that operates to control the tensioning and loosening of the tensioning device.
1. A surgical access device comprising:
a tube having a substantially rigid portion and a substantially flexible portion extending from the substantially rigid portion, the tube including a primary lumen and a secondary lumen both extending through the tube, the secondary lumen having a tensioning device extending through the secondary lumen and connected to the flexible portion;
a Y-connector having a distal end connected to the tube and a proximal end including a funnel-shaped portion, the tensioning device extending through the connector from the distal end toward the proximal end;
a flexible tubing connected to the Y-connector through which the tensioning device extends;
a handle connected to the flexible tubing and including an axle disposed within the handle and a knob connected to and outside the handle, the axle connected to the tensioning device and the knob such that rotation of the knob in one direction draws the tensioning device proximally around the axle to deflect the tube;
a pawl connected to the handle;
a trigger connected to the handle and the pawl; and
a set of teeth connected to the axle and operatively engaging with the pawl;
wherein the trigger when actuated causes the pawl to move to disengage the pawl from the teeth such that the tensioning device is allowed to move distally to straighten the tube.
2. The surgical access device of claim 1 , further comprising finger holds disposed radially throughout the knob.
3. The surgical access device of claim 1 , wherein the trigger comprises a button slidable between a first position and a second position;
wherein the trigger, when disposed in the first position, causes the pawl to move to engage the pawl with the teeth and wherein the trigger, when disposed in the second position, causes the pawl to move to disengage the pawl from the teeth.
4. The surgical access device of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning device is at least one pull wire.
5. The surgical access device of claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a directional indicator.
6. The surgical access device of claim 1 , wherein the tube comprises an inner plastic body, a spring coil and an outer plastic body.
7. The surgical access device of claim 6 , wherein the inner plastic body is surrounded by the spring coil and covered by the outer plastic body.
8. The surgical access device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible portion includes a weakened region extending along the flexible portion.
9. The surgical access device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible portion includes slots extending along the flexible portion and slits extending along the flexible portion on a generally opposing side of the slots, the slots being larger than the slits.
10. The surgical access device of claim 1 wherein the funnel-shaped portion is sized and configured to guide instruments into the primary lumen.
11. The surgical access device of claim 1 wherein the Y-connector includes a channel for connecting to the flexible portion.
12. The surgical access device of claim 1 wherein the knob extends laterally from the handle.
13. The surgical access device of claim 1 further including a leaf spring connected to the handle; wherein the pawl is biased by the leaf spring and engages with the teeth to permit rotational movement of the knob in one direction while preventing rotation movement in the opposite direction.
14. The surgical access device of claim 13 wherein, as the knob is rotated, incremental control of the deflection of the tube is provided.
15. A surgical access device comprising:
a tube having a substantially rigid portion having a first diameter and a substantially flexible portion having a second diameter and extending from the substantially rigid portion, the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter, the tube including a primary lumen and a secondary lumen both extending through the tube, the secondary lumen having a pull wire extending through the secondary lumen and connected to the flexible portion of the elongated body;
a connector having a distal end connected to the tube and a proximal end including a funnel-shaped portion, the pull wire extending through the connector from the distal end to the proximal end;
a plastic tubing connected to the connector through which the pull wire extends through;
a handle connected to the plastic tubing and including an axle disposed within the handle and a knob connected to and outside the handle, the axle connected to the pull wire and the knob such that rotation of the knob in one direction draws the pull wire proximally around the axle to deflect the tube;
a pawl connected to the handle;
a trigger connected to the handle and the pawl; and
a first set of teeth connected to the axle and operatively engaging with the pawl;
wherein the trigger when actuated causes the pawl to move to disengage the pawl from the first set of teeth such that the pull wire is allowed to move distally to straighten the tube.
16. The surgical access device of claim 15 wherein the funnel-shaped portion is sized and configured to guide instruments into the primary lumen.
17. The surgical access device of claim 15 wherein the connector includes a channel for connecting to the flexible portion.
18. The surgical access device of claim 15 wherein the knob extends laterally from the handle.
19. The surgical access device of claim 15 further including a leaf spring connected to the handle; wherein the pawl is biased by the leaf spring and engages with the teeth to permit rotational movement of the knob in one direction while preventing rotation movement in the opposite direction.
20. The surgical access device of claim 15 wherein, as the knob is rotated, incremental control of the deflection of the tube is provided.