Method for intra-abdominally moving an organ
A surgical tissue connector system for moving a first internal body tissue to a position away from a second internal body tissue and then holding the first internal body tissue in the position. Tissue connectors are secured to cords such that the length of cord between the tissue connectors can be easily adjusted in a laparoscopic work space.
1. A method of retracting an organ within the abdomen of a patient with a retractor system comprising:
a first tissue connector;
a base comprising a first end secured to the first tissue connector, a second end, and a bore extending within the base;
a rod extending through the bore of the base; a lock slidably disposed within the bore of the base;
a cord extending from the base secured to said first tissue connector, said cord characterized by a first end, a second end, a first portion extending from the rod and out of the base second end, a second portion extending from the rod and out of the base at the second end, and an intermediate portion comprising a sliding knot wrapped around and engaging the rod; and
an actuator connected to the lock, and operable to move the lock within the bore of the base;
the method comprising the steps of:
using a grasper to attach the first tissue connector to a first body tissue;
routing the cord second portion proximate the organ;
with the actuator in a first position, pulling the cord first portion from the base second end, thereby shortening the cord second portion extending from the base second end and retracting the organ;
forcing the actuator toward the first tissue connector to a second position; and
with the actuator held in the second position, pulling the cord second portion from the base second end, thereby lengthening the cord second portion extending from the base second end.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the retractor system is further characterized by:
a first configuration, wherein the knot is disposed on a first side of the bore opposite, relative to the rod, an impinging structure of the lock, and is free to slide in a first direction away from the impinging structure when the cord first portion is pulled, and the knot is prevented from sliding in a second direction toward the impinging structure when the cord second portion is pulled; and
a second configuration, wherein the knot is disposed on a second side of the bore, relative to the rod, and on the same side of the bore as the impinging structure of the lock, and the knot is free to slide in a second direction away from the impinging structure when the cord second portion is pulled;
wherein the step of forcing the actuator toward the tissue connector moves the lock away from the rod, thereby permitting the knot to move from the first side of the bore to the second side of the bore.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of pulling the cord second portion to move the knot from the first side of the bore to the second side of the bore.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprises the step of:
after the step of forcing the actuator toward the second position, moving the actuator to the first position, to move the lock toward the rod, and inhibit the knot, when on the second side of the bore, from moving to the first side of the bore.
5. The method of claim 3 further comprises the step of:
after the step of forcing the actuator toward the second position, moving the actuator to the first position, to move the lock toward the rod, and prevent the knot, when on the second side of the bore, from moving to the first side of the bore.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the actuator is biased toward the first position, and the method further comprises the step of:
after the step of forcing the actuator toward the second position, releasing the actuator to allow the to move to the first position, to move the lock toward the rod, and inhibit the knot, when on the second side of the bore, from moving to the first side of the bore.
7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the actuator is biased toward the first position, and the method further comprises the step of:
after the step of forcing the actuator toward the second position, releasing the actuator to allow the actuator to move to the first position, to move the lock toward the rod, and prevent the knot, when on the second side of the bore, from moving to the first side of the bore.
8. The method of claim 2 further comprises the step of:
after the step of forcing the actuator toward the second position, moving the actuator to the first position, to move the lock toward the rod, and inhibit the knot, when on the second side of the bore, from moving to the first side of the bore.
9. The method of claim 2 further comprises the step of:
after the step of forcing the actuator toward the second position, moving the actuator to the first position, to move the lock toward the rod, and prevent the knot, when on the second side of the bore, from moving to the first side of the bore.
10. The method of claim 2 , wherein the actuator is biased toward the first position, and the method further comprises the step of:
after the step of forcing the actuator toward the second position, releasing the actuator to allow the actuator to move to the first position, to move the lock toward the rod, and inhibit the knot, when on the second side of the bore, from moving to the first side of the bore.
11. The method of claim 2 , wherein the actuator is biased toward the first position, and the method further comprises the step of:
after the step of forcing the actuator toward the second position, releasing the actuator to allow the actuator to move to the first position, to move the lock toward the rod, and prevent the knot, when on the second side of the bore, from moving to the first side of the bore.
12. The method of claim 1 , the first body tissue is an abdominal wall of the patient.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of connecting the cord second end to a second body tissue with a second tissue connector.
14. The method of claim 13 , the second body tissue is a crus or a liver of the patient.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a sleeve slidably disposed about the base.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a flange disposed on the lock.