WO2013096896A1

WO2013096896A1 - Laser guided trocar system for use in laparoscopic surgery

Info

Publication number: WO2013096896A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/071470
Authority: WO
Inventors: Danny A. SHERWINTER
Original assignee: Sherwinter Danny A
Priority date: 2011-12-21
Filing date: 2012-12-21
Publication date: 2013-06-27

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a trocar comprising a laser diode which provides guidance for instmment entry. The laser diode may be integral to the trocar or connected to the trocar via an optical guide.

Description

LASER GUIDED TROCAR SYSTEM

FOR USE IN LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial

No. 61/630,853, filed December 21 , 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laparoscopic surgery, or minimally invasive surgery (MIS), has virtually replaced open surgery for operations inside of the abdomen. It has been shown to provide better results, less pain, and quicker recovery. With the advent of high- definition (HD) laparoscopy, intra-operative visualization during MIS has achieved new performance standards and enhanced the surgeon's ability to assess and navigate the surgical field. Despite this advancement, the visual field is limited and there is a significant area within the abdominal cavity not covered by the laparoscopic view.

This raises two important issues. Firstly, there is a possibility of introducing instruments into the abdominal cavity and injuring some organ inadvertently.

Secondly, every time a new instrument is introduced, the camera has to be repositioned. The surgeon may lose view of the operative field and interrupt the flow of the procedure in order to safely introduce a new instrument. These issues are time consuming and raise significant safety issues. Thus, there is clearly a need for a device that provides the ability to visualize the trajectory of instruments through a trocar before they enter the abdominal cavity so that their path can be altered before injury occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a trocar comprising a laser diode which provides guidance for instrument entry. Similar to a laser scope on firearms, the "dot" projected by the laser diode helps to define the trajectory of instrument entry before the instrument even enters the abdominal cavity and thus before it can do harm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following drawing which provides a side view of a trocar according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative.

Shown in the figure is a trocar 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Generally, a trocar is a tube placed through the abdominal wall of a patient which allows instruments to enter the abdominal cavity and retain insufflated gasses. Trocars also allow for quick instrument exchanges.

As shown in the drawing, trocar 101 comprises head 103, shaft 105, and tip 106. Head 103 further comprises instrument access 107, laser diode 109, switch 11 1, and power source 1 13. Light source 109 (e.g., a laser diode or another high intensity source of light) can be mounted in head 103 or at tip 106. In another embodiment, light source 109 can be provided in a separate module at a distance from trocar 101. An optical guide can then be used to connect laser diode 109 to the field of surgery.

Light source 109 can be in communication with the field of surgery by direct projection or via a light guide such as with fiber optics. Light source 109 can have different wavelengths or can have an adjustable filter. Light source 109 can be a point or projected as a Crosshatch or line. The pinpoint of light from light source 109 can be directed parallel to the instrument vector or at an angle so as to cross the instrument trajectory at a set point along shaft 105.

In some embodiments, trocar 101 can have a valve at a point along shaft 105 so as to prevent escape of gasses from within the abdomen. Trocar 101 can be any appropriate length and diameter required for surgery. Power source 113 can be contained within head 103 or connected to trocar 101 by wire. Light source 109 can be continuous or pulsed. To aid in seeing light source 109 on a deeply colored non-flat and variegated background, haptic feedback can be added which can vibrate trocar 101 in sync with the flashing light so the operator can more easily locate it. This can be accomplished by joining a vibration device to flashing circuitry housed within trocar 101 or at a distance. Other feedback, such as auditory or external light cues, can also be used.

To use trocar 101 during surgery, it is first placed at the surgical site (e.g., the abdominal cavity) in the normal fashion and a camera is placed in the cavity in order for a surgeon to view the interior of the cavity on a display. Next, switch 111 is activated in order to turn on light source 109. The surgeon can then aim shaft 105 (e.g., using an instrument until light source 109 is visible at the desired position in the cavity. This ensures that when the surgeon advances the instrument through tip 106, it will exit at or near the light source. Thus, the surgeon can avoid damaging other internal tissue.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, which embodiments have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

A trocar comprising:

a tip portion;

a shaft portion connected to the tip portion; and

a head portion, wherein the head portion further comprises:

a light source;

a power source connected to the light source; and

a switch connected to the light source, wherein the switch controls a flow of power from the power source to the light source.

The trocar according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is a laser diode.

The trocar according to claim 1 , wherein the light source emits pulsed light.

The trocar according to claim 1 , wherein the light source emits continuous light.

The trocar according to claim 1, wherein the light source is projected as a point, Crosshatch, or line.

The trocar according to claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises and adjustable filter.

The light source according to claim 1 , where in a pinpoint of light from the light source crosses the shaft at a set point along the shaft.

A method for performing laparoscopic surgery using a trocar comprising: placing the trocar in a cavity of a subject;

placing a camera in the cavity at a surgical site, wherein the output of the camera is visible on a display;

switching on a light source on the trocar;

using an instrument to aim a shaft of the trocar until the light source is visible at a desired position at the surgical site; and advancing the instrument through a tip of the trocar.