US20100261976A1

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Publication number: US20100261976A1
Application number: US12/754,641
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth W. Horton
Original assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
Current assignee: Covidien LP
Priority date: 2009-04-14
Filing date: 2010-04-06
Publication date: 2010-10-14
Also published as: US20130158360A1; US9259288B2

Abstract

An illumination system configured to light an anatomical location of a patient is provided. The illumination system includes an interior illumination device positionable and movable within a body cavity of a patient. The interior illumination device is configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician. The illumination system includes an exterior illumination device operatively coupled to the interior illumination device and positionable and movable about an exterior of a patient. The exterior illumination device is configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/169,017, filed Apr. 14, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and system for performing surgery and, more particularly, to an apparatus and system that includes an illumination device configured to illuminate various anatomical locations of a patient.

2. Related art

Without limiting the scope of the present disclosure, its background is described herein with respect to surgical procedures, and in particular, laparoscopy and transluminal and endoluminal surgery, e.g., Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES).

Compared with open surgery, laparoscopy results in significantly less pain, faster convalescence and less morbidity. NOTES, an even less invasive surgical approach, is likely to achieve similar results. However, eye-hand dissociation, a two-dimensional field-of-view and instrumentation with limited degrees of freedom contribute to a steep learning curve and demanding dexterity requirements for many laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. A limitation of laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures is the fixed working envelope surrounding each trocar, often necessitating placement of multiple ports to accommodate changes in position of the instruments or laparoscope to improve visibility and efficiency. The placement of additional working ports contributes to post-operative pain and carries a small risk of bleeding or adjacent organ damage. Another limitation of laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures is that the images often appear “upside-down” and/or “backward” due to the flexible rather than rigid scope typically employed by a clinician during the laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures, which, may result in a clinician becoming disoriented during the laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures.

Therefore, it may prove advantageous to provide an illumination guidance apparatus and system configured for use with a surgical space in a minimally invasive surgical procedure while avoiding any one or combination of the aforementioned limitations.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an illumination system configured to light an anatomical location of a patient. The illumination system includes an interior illumination device positionable and movable within a body cavity of a patient. The interior illumination device is configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician. The illumination system includes an exterior illumination device operatively coupled to the interior illumination device and positionable and movable about an exterior of a patient. The exterior illumination device is configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician.

The present disclosure also provides an illumination apparatus configured to light an anatomical location of a patient. The illumination apparatus includes a proximal end configured for manipulation by a clinician. The illumination apparatus includes an elongate tubular portion extending distally from the proximal end of the illumination apparatus. An exterior illumination device is fixedly positionable on an outer abdominal wall of a patient and disposed at the proximal end of the illumination apparatus. The exterior illumination device is configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician. An interior illumination device is disposed at a distal end of the illumination apparatus and operatively coupled to the exterior illumination device. The interior illumination device is also configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an illumination system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the illumination system depicted inFIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an illumination system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An illumination system and apparatus in accordance with the teaching of the present disclosure may be used by a clinician to form a plurality of markers or beacons that are configured to light an anatomical location of a patient and facilitate a clinician in navigating within an anatomical location of a patient during a surgical procedure.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, and initially with reference toFIG. 1, anillumination system10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2,illumination system10 includes a plurality of markers in the form of

illumination devices

12 and14.

Illumination devices

12 and14 are selectively positionable on a patient and configured to emit light that is visible to a clinician.

In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2,illumination system10 includes anexterior illumination device12 positionable on an exterior “E” of a patient (e.g., skin of a patient), and aninterior illumination device14 positionable within an interior of a patient (e.g., peritoneal cavity “P” of a patient). In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2,

illumination devices

12 and14 are coupled or attracted to each other by way of a magnetic field produced by one or more suitable devices (e.g., permanent magnets, electromagnets, or other suitable devices or structures configured to produce a magnetic field) associated with one or both of the

illumination devices

12 and14. For illustrated purposes, the magnetic field is assumed to be produced by way of apermanent magnet16.Magnet16 is attached, connected, or operatively disposed on one or both of

illumination devices

12 and14. In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2,magnet16 provides a magnetic field that is used to operatively couple the exterior and

interior illumination devices

12 and14, respectively, to each other. While the exterior and

interior devices

12 and14 have been described herein as each including amagnet16, it is within the purview of the present disclosure to have one of the illumination devices include amagnet16 and the other illumination devices include or be made from a ferromagnetic and/or paramagnetic material that is influenced by a magnetic field.

Exterior illumination device

12 may have any suitable shape.Exterior illumination device12 may be formed from any suitable material. In the embodiments, illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2,exterior illumination device12 includes abase18 that is configured to rest on an exterior surface of a patient.Exterior illumination device12 includes one or more suitable light emitting elements20 (e.g., bulbs, LEDs, etc.) configured to emit light “L” in the visible light spectrum. In an embodiment,light emitting element20 is configured to emit light “L” of varying intensity. That is, light “L” may change from a dim light to a bright light and/or vice-versa.Light emitting element20 may be configured to generate a continuous or intermittent light “L”.Light emitting element20 may be configured to emit different colors of light “L”.

Interior illumination device

14 is substantially similar toexterior illumination device12.Interior illumination device14 includes alight emitting element20, abase18, and one ormore magnets16 each of which function as previously described herein. As noted above,interior element14 is configured for placement within the peritoneal cavity “P” of a patient and, as such,interior illumination device14 is formed from any suitable bio-compatible material. Alternatively,interior illumination device14 may be encased within a bio-compatible material.Interior illumination device14 may be introduced into the peritoneal cavity by any suitable surgical procedures and/or methods (e.g., transluminal, endoluminal or laparoscopic surgical procedures).Interior illumination device14 may include any suitable structure configured to facilitate a user in properly positioninginterior illumination device14 within an interior of a patient.

In embodiments, each of exterior and/or interior illumination devices,12 and14, respectively, may be formed from or configured to receive a lubricous material that is configured to facilitate a clinician in moving the exterior and

interior illumination devices

12 and14, when they are coupled to one another and positioned on a patient. More particularly, and in embodiments, each of exterior and

interior illumination devices

12 and14, or portions thereof, may be formed from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or other suitable material. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, each of exterior and

interior illumination devices

12 and14, or portions thereof, may be configured to receive one or more suitable types of material that is lubricious in nature, such as, for example, lanolin, water, mineral oils, natural oils (e.g., vegetable oils), synthetic oils, etc.

In use, multiple pairs of exterior and

interior illumination devices

12 and14, respectively, may be positioned on and within a patient. More particularly, anexterior illumination device12 may be positioned on a patient and aninterior illumination device14 may be positioned within an interior of a patient and adjacent toexterior illumination device12. The magnetic field produced bymagnet16 attracts or couples the exterior and

interior illumination devices

12 and14, respectively to each other. Once the exterior and

interior illumination devices

12 and14 are magnetically coupled to one another, a clinician may move the exterior and

interior illumination devices

12 and14 to a desired location on a patient. After the exterior and

interior illumination devices

12, and14, respectively, have been properly positioned, second, third, fourth, etc. additional pairs of respective exterior and

interior illumination devices

12 and14 may be positioned (seeFIGS. 1 and 2). Once properly positioned on a patient, both exterior and

interior illumination devices

12 and14, respectively, emit light “L” of a suitable wavelength. This light “L” provides a clinician with a light path such that a clinician may effectively navigate a surgical instrument within the peritoneal cavity “P” of a patient.

FIG. 3 illustrates anillumination apparatus100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.Illumination apparatus100 is similar toillumination apparatus10 in that both

illumination assemblies

10 and100 are positionable upon an exterior “E” and interior body cavity of patient and intended to provide a light that is visible to a clinician.Illumination apparatus100 is different fromillumination apparatus10 in thatillumination apparatus100 is configured to fixedly attach to a patient. With this purpose in mind,illumination apparatus100 includes exterior and interior illumination devices,112 and114, respectively that are operatively coupled to each other by way of one or moresuitable structures150.

By way of example only,illumination apparatus100 includes astructure150 that is configured to support and/or house exterior and interior illumination devices,112 and114, respectively. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3,structure150 is in the form of apercutaneous needle150.Structure150 includes aproximal end154 that is configured for manipulation by a clinician. To this end,proximal end154 may include one or more suitable structures configured to facilitate gripping of theproximal end154.Proximal end154 is also configured to support and/or houseexterior illumination device112 such that exterior illumination device can function in a manner previously described herein. A seal and/or clamp apparatus (not shown) may be located atproximal end154 to supportillumination apparatus100 in a substantially fixed position on a patient.

An elongatetubular portion152 defining a longitudinal axis “X” therethrough extends distally fromproximal end154. In embodiments,tubular portion152 may define or include one or more lumens configured to provide a fluid path for one or more suitable insufflation fluids.

Illumination apparatus also includes adistal end156 that is configured to support and/or houseinterior illumination device114. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3

distal end

156 includes a tissue piercingdistal tip158. Alternatively,distal end154 may have a blunt tip configuration.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3, each of exterior and interior illumination devices,112 and114, respectively are configured to function as previously described herein with respect to theillumination system10.

In use,distal tip158 ofillumination apparatus100 may be employed to pierce an outer abdominal wall of a patient such that exterior and

interior illumination devices

112 and114, respectively, may be properly positioned on a patient. Once properly positioned on a patient, both exterior and

interior illumination devices

112 and114, respectively, emit light “L” of a suitable wavelength, such that a clinician may effectively navigate a surgical instrument within an interior of a patient.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. For example, it is contemplated that a roller or bearing (not shown) may be operatively disposed on or near thebase20 of one or both of the

illumination devices

12,14. The roller or bearing may be configured to facilitate movement of the

illumination devices

12,14 when the

illumination devices

12,14 are in contact with a patient.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An illumination system configured to light an anatomical location of a patient comprising:

an interior illumination device positionable and movable within a body cavity of a patient, the interior illumination device configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician; and

an exterior illumination device operatively coupled to the interior illumination device and positionable and movable about an exterior of a patient, the exterior illumination device configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician.

2. An illumination system according toclaim 1, wherein the interior and exterior illumination devices are operatively coupled to each other via a magnet operatively associated with one of the interior and exterior illumination devices.

3. An illumination system according toclaim 1, wherein the interior and exterior illumination devices provide light having the same wavelength.

4. An illumination system according toclaim 1, wherein the interior and exterior illumination devices provide light having a different wavelength.

5. An illumination system according toclaim 1, wherein the interior illumination device is introduced within a cavity of a patient via a method selected from the group consisting of transluminal, endoluminal and laparoscopic surgical procedures.

6. An illumination system according toclaim 1, wherein the interior illumination device is positionable within a peritoneal cavity of a patient.

7. An illumination system according toclaim 1, wherein each of the interior and exterior illumination devices are configured to change at least one of color or intensity of light.

8. An illumination according toclaim 1, wherein each of the interior and exterior illumination devices comprises a plurality of illumination devices, wherein the plurality of interior and exterior illumination devices are operatively coupled to each other.

9. An illumination system according toclaim 1, wherein each of the interior and exterior illumination devices are operatively coupled to a percutaneous instrument positionable on a patient and configured to penetrate an outer wall of an abdomen of a patient.

10. An illumination system according toclaim 1, wherein the percutaneous device is a percutaneous needle.

11. An illumination system according toclaim 1, wherein each of the interior an exterior illumination devices are formed from lubricious material.

12. An illumination apparatus configured to light an anatomical location of a patient comprising:

a proximal end configured for manipulation by a clinician;

an elongate tubular portion extending distally from the proximal;

an exterior illumination device fixedly positionable on an outer abdominal wall of a patient and disposed at the proximal end of the illumination apparatus, the exterior illumination device configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician; and

an interior illumination device disposed at a distal end of the illumination apparatus and operatively coupled to the exterior illumination device, the interior illumination device configured to provide a light having a wavelength that is visible to a clinician.