SINGLE PORT LAPAROSCOPIC ACCESS WITH LATERALLY SPACED VIRTUAL INSERTION POINTS

摘要

A system for performing single port laparoscopic procedures includes a transcutaneous seal and a plurality of tools. The tools comprise a substantially rigid tubular seal having a core which is translatably and rotatably disposed in the sleeve. The handle at the proximal end of the tool controls an end effector at the distal end of the tool. The sleeves of the tools are locked in the transcutaneous seals so that they remain in a fixed geometric relationship which prevents the tools from interfering with each other during laparoscopic procedures.

主权项

1. A method for performing a laparoscopic procedure on a patient, said method comprising:
(a) providing a tool system which includes: a pair of laparoscopic tools, each tool having: a tubular sleeve with (i) a substantially straight proximal region defining an axis, (ii) a middle semi-circular C-shaped region having a proximal end attached to and extending from the proximal region, a distal end, and a C-shaped curve between the proximal and distal ends, and (iii) a substantially straight distal region extending from the middle region and a central passage therethrough, wherein the proximal region and the distal region are aligned along said axis, wherein the proximal and distal regions can telescope to vary an extension length of the tool; a core disposed in the sleeve and having a proximal section extending from the proximal region of the sleeve and a distal section extending from the distal region of the sleeve, wherein the core can be rotated and axially extended and retracted relative to the sleeve; a C-shaped coupling tube, wherein the C-shaped curve of the tubular sleeve is slidably received in the C-shaped coupling tube; and an effector at the distal end of the core on each laparoscopic tool; (b) placing a single port through the patient's abdominal wall, (c) pivotally coupling the C-shaped coupling sleeves with each other within the single access port so that the axis of each tool passes through a virtual pivot point at a center of the semi-circular C-shaped middle region and the tools are maintained in planes which may be pivoted relative to each other about a horizontal pivot axis, wherein the virtual pivot points are spaced apart along the horizontal pivot axis and the C-shaped coupling sleeves lie within the single port with the distal end of each tool within the patient's abdominal cavity; and (d) manipulating a handle on each tool to (i) advance the core in and out of the sleeve, (ii) slide the C-shaped curve of the sleeve within the C-shaped coupling tube, (iii) pivot the tools relative to each other about the horizontal pivot axis while each tool remains within its respective plane, (iv) telescope the proximal and distal regions to vary an extension length of the tool while the center point of the C-shaped middle region of the tubular sleeve remains at the virtual insertion point, and (v) manipulate the end effector.