Device and method for illumination of vaginal fornix with ureter location, isolation and protection during hysterectomy procedure

Abstract

The present invention comprises devices and methods that, in certain embodiments, provide a lighted cup, ring or cap that comprises a customizable size and fit, for use in hysterectomy procedures, whereby the ring or cup engages the vaginal fornix and is covered by the vaginal cervical tissue. The lighting allows the surgeon to visualize the location of the lighted cup, ring or cap, thereby quickly and accurately identifying the incision site while providing protection of the associated vasculature and the ureters.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority to provisional application No. 61 / 560,899, filed on Nov. 17, 2011 and entitled “Lighting Apparatus and Method for Ureter Location, Isolation and Protection During Hysterectomy Procedure”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to devices and methods for locating, isolating and protecting ureters during hysterectomy procedures, in certain embodiments providing an illuminating cup or ring or cap over which vaginal cervical tissue is positioned.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Known methods of removal of the uterus consist of minimally invasive methods such as laparoscopy and robotic laparoscopic methods. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,698, describing the primary approaches. A problem that arises during removal of the uterus is the close anatomical relationship of vascular and ur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention comprises devices and methods that, in certain embodiments, provide a lighted cup, ring or cap that comprises a customizable size and fit, for use in hysterectomy procedures, whereby the ring or cup engages the vaginal fornix and is covered by the vaginal cervical tissue. The lighting allows the surgeon to visualize the location of the lighted cup, ring or cap, thereby quickly and accurately identifying the incision site while providing protection of the associated vasculature and the ureters.

Problems solved by technology

A problem that arises during removal of the uterus is the close anatomical relationship of vascular and ureteral structures that may be injured.

However, current colpotomizer devices and methods fail to enable critical visualization of the location of the colpotomizer device, specifically, the cup ring device.

This failure requires surgeons to awkwardly attempt to locate the device by instrument palpation, a process that is inaccurate and time consuming, requiring repetitive reassessment and introduces the unnecessary hazard of a misguided incision.

During robotic surgeries due to loss of force feedback (haptics), palpation is either severely reduced or not appreciated and can lead to making improperly placed incisions, resulting in unnecessary patient injury.

Such cups often do not provide an optimal fit; the cup selected should just cover the whole cervix.

If, for example, the cup is too large, the ureters will be pulled toward the colpotomy incision, placing the ureters and potentially the uterine artery at risk of damage.

Standard, non-customized sized cups present an unnecessary risk to the patient in cases where the fit is not optimal.

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