Method and apparatus for facilitating access through a patient tissue

摘要

A system for facilitating access through a substantially planar and laterally oriented patient skin surface includes a guiding substrate extending substantially parallel to the skin surface and selectively directly fastened thereto. The guiding substrate supports a guiding structure in a substantially fixed relationship to an access site of the skin surface. A tool carriage is configured to accept surgical tools for sequential interaction with the access site. The tool carriage engages the guiding structure such that the tool carriage is guided along a predetermined action path when motive force is provided to the tool carriage. The tool carriage is guided along the action path with an incising tool in penetrating contact with the access site of the skin surface to create a laterally elongate incision at the access site. The tool carriage is guided along the action path to substantially close the incision at the access site.

主权项

1. A system for facilitating access through a patient skin surface, the skin surface being substantially planar and laterally oriented, the system comprising:
a guiding substrate capable of extending substantially parallel to the skin surface and capable of being selectively directly fastened thereto, the guiding substrate, when fastened to the skin surface, supporting a guiding structure in a substantially fixed relationship to an access site of the skin surface; a tool carriage configured to accept at least a chosen one of a plurality of surgical tools for sequential interaction with the access site, the tool carriage including a following structure configured for selective engagement with the guiding structure such that the tool carriage is guided along a predetermined action path when the following structure and guiding structure are engaged and motive force is provided to the tool carriage; an incising tool, wherein the tool carriage is configured to be guided along the action path with the incising tool in penetrating contact with the access site of the skin surface to create a laterally elongate incision at the access site, and thereby provide access below the skin surface; and a closure tool, wherein the tool carriage is configured to be guided along the action path to substantially close the incision at the access site, using the closure tool, and thereby prevent access through the incision below the skin surface.