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ORIFICE INTRODUCER DEVICE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS
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This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/400,023, filed on Jul. 31, 2002, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an orifice introducer device, and more particularly, to an orifice introducer device for introducing, e.g., a surgical device, into an orifice of a 15 body.
BACKGROUND
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In another example embodiment of the present invention, the introducer includes a tubular sheath. The diameter of the proximal end of the sheath is larger than the diameter of the distal end of the sheath. For example, the sheath may have a generally conically-shaped or tapered distal end. The diameter of the distal end may be expandable to allow passage of a surgical instrument whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the distal end. The distal end may include, for example, a slit, seam or weakened area for allowing the diameter to expand. Alternatively or additionally, the distal end may be formed of a stretchable material, such as an elastomeric material, which allows the diameter of the proximal end to expand.
In another example embodiment of the present invention, the introducer includes a sheath and a distal cap-like portion (e.g., a nose cone). The distal cap-like portion may be removably mounted to the sheath. The cap-like portion may be removed from the sheath and withdrawn or recovered through the sheath.
There are many surgical procedures that require a surgical 20 instrument to be introduced into an orifice of a body. One example of such is a surgical procedure to resect a cancerous or anomalous tissue from a gastro-intestinal tract by the introduction, e.g., insertion, of a circular stapling instrument via a patient's oral or anal cavity. 25
One of the problems experienced during surgical procedures of this type is that the orifice of the body may be damaged when the surgical instrument is being introduced, or has been introduced, into the orifice. This is particularly problematic when the orifice into which the surgical device is 30 being introduced includes fragile tissue that is easily damaged when contacted, e.g., the tissues of the oral cavity. Another problem experienced during surgical procedures of this type is that the surgical instrument may be damaged when the surgical instrument is being introduced, or has been intro- 35 duced, into the orifice. It may be particularly important to avoid damage to the surgical device, since a patient may also be harmed if the surgical device functions improperly.
While significant advances have been made in miniaturizing surgical instruments, there are still many surgical instru- 40 ments that are almost as large as, the same size as, or larger than, the size of the orifice into which the surgical instrument is required to be introduced. Since the likelihood of damaging either the orifice or the surgical device may be increased as the size of the surgical device increases relative to the size of the 45 orifice into which the surgical instrument is required to be introduced, conventional surgical devices and procedures still risk damage to one or both of the surgical device and the orifice.
Thus, there is a need for a device that minimizes the like- 50 lihood of damage to one or both of a surgical device and an orifice when the surgical device is introduced into the orifice.
SUMMARY
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The present invention, according to various embodiments thereof, relates to an orifice introducer device for introducing, e.g., a surgical device, into, e.g., an orifice of a body. The orifice introducer device includes a tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is adjustable 60 between a first position for insertion into an orifice and a second position once inserted into the orifice. Alternatively, the orifice introducer device may include a distal portion having a proximal end configured to be detachably secured to the distal end of the tubular member. The distal portion is 65 selectively detachable when the orifice introducer device is positioned in the orifice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a side view that illustrates an orifice introducer device in a closed position, according to one example embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. IB is a side view that illustrates, in an open position, the orifice introducer device illustrated in FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2A is a perspective view that illustrates an orifice introducer device according to another example embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2B is a partial perspective view that illustrates further details of a proximal end of the orifice introducer device illustrated in FIG. 2A;
FIG. 2C is a partial side view that illustrates further details of a distal end of the orifice introducer device illustrated in FIG. 2A in a closed position;
FIG. 2D is a side view that illustrates further details of the distal end of the orifice introducer device illustrated in FIG. 2A in an open position;
FIG. 3A is a side view that illustrates an orifice introducer device according to another example embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3B is a partial, cross-sectional side view of the orifice introducer device illustrated in FIG. 3A;
FIG. 3C is a partial, cross-sectional side view that illustrates further details of an attached distal portion of the orifice introducer device illustrated in FIG. 3A;
FIG. 3D is a partial, cross-sectional side view that illustrates further details of a detached distal portion of the orifice introducer device illustrated in FIG. 3A;
FIG. 3E is a partial, cross-sectional side view of the orifice introducer device illustrated in FIG. 3A having a second tubular body inserted therein;
FIG. 3F is a partial, cross-sectional side view of the orifice introducer device illustrated in FIG. 3A having the second tubular body further inserted therein;
FIG. 3G is a partial, cross-section side view of the orifice introducer device illustrated in FIG. 3 A having distal portion partially withdrawn therethrough; and
FIG. 3H is a partial, cross-section side view of the orifice introducer device illustrated in FIG. 3 A having distal portion partially withdrawn through the second tubular body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention, according to various embodiments thereof, relates to an orifice introducer device that may be used, for example, for introducing or inserting, e.g., a surgical
