Device and methods for lifting patient tissue during laparoscopic surgery

US10363380B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lapovations, LLC · US

Inventors

• Chris Taylor · Buena Park, US
• Jared Greer · Fayetteville, US
• Abby Terluow · Fayetteville, US
• Kinan Alhallak · Paragould, US
• Christopher Oldfield · Bentonville, US
• Mason Harper · Fayetteville, US
• Patrick A. O'Brien · Chicago, US
• Jill Goodrich · Fayetteville, US
• Terry Oquin · Nashville, US
• Byron Smith · Nashville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 22, 2017
• Grant date: Jul 30, 2019
• Expiry date: May 22, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2205/3331
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a handle and a suction head pivotally attached to the handle. The suction head includes an open-ended suction chamber having a rim positioned to engage the patient's skin. An actuator on the handle operates a pump to draw a negative pressure in the suction chamber, causing the rim to seal against the patient's skin via the suction force. Once the suction force is initiated, the user may lift the handle away from the patient's body to lift tissue. The lifted tissue provides a site for insertion of a trocar or Veress needle for a laparoscopic procedure in some embodiments. A gimbal disposed between the handle and the suction head provides at least two degrees of freedom such that the handle can be rotated and pivoted to optimize the direction of applied lifting force.