Magnetic positioning system for trocarless laparoscopic instruments

摘要

The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for performing surgery, and in particular to devices employing magnetic fields to position and orient medical instruments inside a human body. To provide for greater flexibility of endoscopic viewing and instrument usage and to reduce morbidity, the inventors have developed of a novel laparoscopic system that allows for intra-abdominal movement of an endoscopic camera and surgical instruments without additional port sites. A set of one or more magnets located external to the patient's body are used to position, orient, and/or secure instruments located internal to the patient's body.