Laparoscopic surgical instrument for in situ tool exchange

Abstract

A method is presented for replacing a tool through a sleeve of a laparoscopic instrument without removing the sleeve from a body. The method includes rotating a housing portion of the laparoscopic instrument to expose an end of a first tool to be removed, removing the first tool from the sleeve, and inserting a second tool into the sleeve without removing it from the body.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 690,968 filed Jun. 16, 2005, titled “Laparoscopic Tool Coupler,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 711,347 filed Aug. 25, 2005, titled “Laparoscope's Tool With In Situ Tool Exchange,” each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to laparoscopic instruments and, more particularly, to a laparoscopic instrument for in situ tool exchange. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Laparoscopic instruments are used during laparoscopy procedures, which are generally used to examine a patient and / or to perform minor surgery on the patient. For example, a laparoscopic instrument can be used to examine the patient's abdominal cavity for signs of disease or abnormality. In addition, fully invasive surgery may be avoided by using the laparoscopic instrument to perform relatively minor surgery. Sim...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of replacing a tool of a laparoscopic instrument includes inserting a laparoscopic instrument into an incision of a body having a first tool and a pair of handles coupled to the first tool. A housing assembly of the laparoscopic instrument is rotated from a locked position to an open position to expose an end of the first tool. The first tool is removed and a second tool is inserted without removing the laparoscopic instrument from the body. The housing assembly is rotated from the open position to the locked positi

Problems solved by technology

One problem associated with current laparoscopic instruments is that they may cause the surgeon to lose his or her “feel” when changing laparoscopic tools.

Because the surgeon may be required to perform several procedures during a single surgery, each procedure requiring a different laparoscopic tool, the surgeon may lose the “feel” when changing the laparoscopic tools.

It can be time consuming and frustrating for the surgeon to locate, for a second time, the best location for performing the cutting procedure.

Another problem associated with current laparoscopic instruments is that they have a fixed grasping end and, therefore, limit the ability and / or comfort of the surgeon in attaining desired positions within the patient's body.

Because the grasping end of the laparoscopic instrument is fixed, the surgeon must perform the cutting procedure by grasping the laparoscopic tool at an uncomfortable or awkward position that decreases the likelihood of a successful surgical procedure, or must contort his or her body to access a hard-to-reach area of the patient's internal cavity.

Yet another problem associated with current laparoscopic instruments is that the surgeon must clasp the operating end together in order to hold a grasping tool in a closed position.

Prolonged clasping results in hand fatigue and also undesirably ties up one of the surgeon's hands to perform other tasks.

If the surgeon removes or relaxes his hand from the grasping end, then the grasping tool may lose its grip on the internal body structure it was grasping.

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