Mesh deployment apparatus
Mesh deployment apparatus including a deployment rod having a proximal handle and a distal roller portion, the roller portion having a mesh-sheet attachment member to which a mesh-sheet is attached. The roller portion is articulated with respect to the deployment rod by means of a joint, and a manipulating member is coupled to the roller portion for moving the roller portion about the joint to a position such that the roller portion is not collinear with the deployment rod.
1. Mesh deployment apparatus comprising:
a deployment rod having a handle at a proximal portion thereof and a roller portion at a distal portion thereof, said roller portion having a shaft and a mesh-sheet attachment member that has a mesh-sheet attached thereto, wherein said roller portion is articulated with respect to said deployment rod by means of a joint; and
a manipulating member coupled to said roller portion for moving said roller portion about said joint to a position wherein said roller portion is not collinear with said deployment rod, wherein said manipulating member comprises a lever arm pivotally mounted about a pivot on said deployment rod, said lever arm comprising two grasping portions on opposite sides of said pivot and on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of said deployment rod, wherein said roller portion comprises a pair of end caps at opposite ends of said shaft, said end caps having an extension portion that extends radially outwards from said shaft with through-holes formed in said extension portion, and wherein said mesh-sheet comprises surgical threads that pass through and loop around said through-holes.
2. The mesh deployment apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said manipulating member is coupled to said roller portion with a linking member that runs through a lumen formed in said deployment rod.
3. The mesh deployment apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said linking member rotates about pivots at said joint.
4. The mesh deployment apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a cannula in which said roller portion is disposed.
5. The mesh deployment apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein said roller portion is mounted on bearings in said cannula.
6. The mesh deployment apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said manipulating member manipulates said roller portion at an angle with respect to said deployment rod in a range of ±90°.
7. The mesh deployment apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said through-holes are parallel to said shaft.
8. The mesh deployment apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an umbrella-type mesh-sheet attached to said roller portion and umbrella ribs for spreading out said mesh-sheet in umbrella fashion.
9. The mesh deployment apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a linear folding and spreading mesh-sheet and a spring-force applicator disposed in said roller portion and attached to said mesh-sheet.
10. The mesh deployment apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said mesh-sheet comprises surgical threads formed with loops at ends thereof.
11. The mesh deployment apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at a predetermined angular orientation of said deployment rod with respect to said roller portion, a distal end of said deployment rod abuts with a proximal end of said roller portion, so as to prevent further angular movement of said deployment rod with respect to said roller portion.
12. Mesh deployment apparatus comprising:
a deployment rod having a handle at a proximal portion thereof and a roller portion at a distal portion thereof, said roller portion having a shaft and a mesh-sheet attachment member that has a mesh-sheet attached thereto, wherein said roller portion is articulated with respect to said deployment rod by means of a joint; and
a manipulating member coupled to said roller portion for moving said roller portion about said joint to a position wherein said roller portion is not collinear with said deployment rod;
wherein at a predetermined angular orientation of said deployment rod with respect to said roller portion, a distal end of said deployment rod abuts with a proximal end of said roller portion, so as to prevent further angular movement of said deployment rod with respect to said roller portion, wherein said roller portion comprises a pair of end caps at opposite ends of said shaft, said end caps having an extension portion that extends radially outwards from said shaft with through-holes formed in said extension portion and wherein said mesh-sheet comprises surgical threads that pass through and loop around said through-holes.