Methods and systems for magnetically suspending tissue structures

摘要

A system for magnetically suspending tissue includes a grasper placement tool, a tissue grasper, a magnetic coupling element, and a tether which secures the magnetic coupling element to the tissue grasper. The grasper placement tool is used to simultaneously introduce both the tissue grasper and the magnetic coupling element to a body cavity. The grasper then releases the magnetic coupling element and engages a target tissue structure. The tissue grasper is then detached from the placement tool and a conventional laparoscopic or other grasper is used to engage the magnetic coupling element to an external magnet.

主权项

1. A tissue suspension system comprising:
a grasper placement tool having a shaft with a distal end and a driver, a tissue grasper detachably secured to the distal end of the shaft, wherein the tissue grasper includes a pair of pivotally attached clamping jaws, a lockable piston and a link which drivably connects the piston to one of the jaws, wherein the driver of the grasper placement tool is configured to axially translate the piston to open and close the jaws via the link and to lock and unlock the piston so that the tissue grasper can be closed over tissue and remain closed over tissue after being detached from the grasper placement tool, wherein the lockable piston comprises external threads which selectively engage internal threads on an internal surface of a shank portion of the tissue grasper, wherein the shank portion is configured to be opened and closed to disengage and engage the external and internal threads; a magnetic coupling element; a tether securing the magnetic coupling element to the tissue grasper; and an external suspension magnet, wherein at least one of the magnetic coupling element and the external suspension magnet is configured to provide an adjustable magnetic field, wherein both the external suspension magnet and the magnetic coupling element are configured to provide an adjustable magnetic field.