IP Library Granted Patent US 8,568,423
Granted Patent B2
US 8,568,423 · App. 12/958,725 · Granted Oct 29, 2013

Uterus manipulator

Inventors: Manfred Boebel (Bauschlott, DE); Bernd Claus Weber (Karlsruhe, DE); Eugenio Solima (Milan, IT)
Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,568,423
App. No.
12/958,725
Granted
Oct 29, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A uterus manipulator includes a shank, in which a hollow probe is guided, whose distal end section is envisaged and designed for introduction into a uterus through the cervical canal. A handle is provided on the proximal side. A distally open bell and a vaginal seal, arranged proximally displaced thereto, as well as a suction channel which connects to at least one suction opening in the distal end section, are provided for receiving a cervix. The bell is designed as a suction bell, wherein at least one suction channel runs into the bell.

Claims (23)

1. A uterus manipulator for laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy comprising:

a shank ( 3 ) having a distal end section ( 2 ) for introduction into a uterus through a cervical canal,

a proximal handle ( 4 ),

a distally open bell ( 13 ) for receiving a cervix, an inner surface of a sidewall of the distally open bell including at least two steps ( 14 ) along a longitudinal axis of the distally open bell,

a vaginal sealing bell ( 28 ) arranged proximally with respect to the distally open bell ( 13 ),

at least one suction channel ( 10 ), and

at least one suction opening ( 11 ) in the distal end section ( 2 ),

wherein the distally open bell defines a suction bell ( 13 ) and at least one suction channel ( 12 ) runs out in the suction bell ( 13 ),

wherein the vaginal sealing bell ( 28 ) includes a proximally open end, an opposing distal end, and a sidewall extending therebetween, wherein the distal end, the proximally open end, and the side wall define a bell shape, the proximally open end having a sealing ring for forming a sealing bearing with a vaginal wall, and wherein the suction bell ( 13 ) and the vaginal sealing bell ( 28 ) form at least part of a unit which is releasably fastened on the shank ( 3 ).

2. The uterus manipulator according to claim 1 , wherein illumination means ( 20 ; 21 ) are provided for illuminating a peripheral distal edge ( 19 ) of the suction bell ( 13 ).

3. The uterus manipulator according to claim 1 , wherein the suction bell ( 13 ) is made of light-leading material, and includes a truncated-cone-shaped on an outside thereof, wherein light impingement is effected at an end-face ( 16 ) close to a shank-side inner periphery.

4. The uterus manipulator according to claim 1 , wherein the unit comprises an intrinsically stiff component forming at least the suction bell ( 13 ) and a soft-elastic part forming at least the vaginal sealing bell ( 28 ).

5. The uterus manipulator according to claim 4 , wherein the stiff component forming the suction bell ( 13 ) is a plastic injection molded part.

6. The uterus manipulator according to claim 1 , wherein a hollow probe ( 1 ) is guided in the shank ( 3 ) in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable manner, comprises the distal end section ( 2 ) for introduction into the cervical canal, and is fixable in at least two different axial positions with respect to the shank ( 3 ) or the proximal handle ( 4 ).

7. The uterus manipulator according to claim 6 , wherein the hollow probe ( 1 ) comprises locking recesses ( 7 ) on an outer periphery thereof, and a spring-biased locking body ( 6 ) arranged in the grip part ( 4 ) engages into one of the recess ( 7 ) and thus fixes an axial extension of the hollow probe ( 1 ) from the grip part ( 4 ) and/or from the distal shank end.

8. The uterus manipulator according to claim 6 , wherein the hollow probe ( 1 ) projects proximally beyond the proximal handle ( 4 ), and is provided with a scale ( 9 ), which indicates a free length of the distal end section ( 2 ) according to an axial position of the hollow probe ( 1 ).

9. The uterus manipulator according to claim 6 , wherein the hollow probe ( 1 ) comprises a central suction channel ( 10 ) which in an end region of the shank ( 3 ), via a transverse opening in a probe wall, runs out into an annular channel ( 12 ) which is formed between the hollow probe ( 1 ) and the shank ( 3 ), is sealed by an O-ring, and connects at a proximal side thereof to a suction conduit.

10. The uterus manipulator according to claim 1 , wherein the suction bell ( 13 ) unit is fastened on the shank close to a distal end thereof.

11. The uterus manipulator according to claim 1 , wherein the shank ( 3 ) on a proximal side thereof carries a grip part ( 4 ) which forms a handle for the manipulator.

12. The uterus manipulator according to claim 1 , wherein at least one fiber-optic ( 21 ) is arranged in or on the shank ( 3 ), the fiber-optic running out at an end-face ( 18 ) close to an inner periphery of the suction bell ( 13 ).

13. The uterus manipulator according to claim 1 , wherein light diodes ( 20 ) are arranged in or on the suction bell ( 13 ) and at least one electrical supply lead ( 24 ) is led in or on the shank ( 3 ).

14. The uterus manipulator according to claim 1 , wherein the sidewall of the vaginal sealing bell ( 28 ) being tapered from the proximal end toward the distal end.

15. The uterus manipulator according to claim 14 , wherein the proximal end of the vaginal sealing bell ( 28 ) has a larger outer periphery than the distal end thereof.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2011
From: BOEBEL, MANFRED; WEBER, BERND CLAUS; SOLIMA, EUGENIO
To: RICHARD WOLF GMBH
Reel/Frame 025792/0762 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2009 056 705 · Dec 2, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110130769A1 · Jun 2, 2011