Surgical cannula with bellows

Abstract

Disclosed herein are multiple cannulas defining a lumen sized and dimensioned to receive one or more medical instruments, an inflatable outer membrane attached to an outer surface of the cannula, and at least one activator that reversibly activates the cannulas to push a fluid contained in the cannulas into the outer membrane to fill or pressurize the outer membrane. Also disclosed are methods for operating these cannulas.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention is directed to a surgical cannula with an improved ability to anchor and / or seal to the incision site and to the surgical instrument(s) inserted therethrough. The inventive surgical cannula can individually control various flow / vent paths to allow discrete controls of the outer anchor / seal membrane and the inner sealing membrane.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Cannulas have been used in minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as laparoscopic and arthroscopic surgeries. Typically, in these procedures a small incision in made in the skin of a patient to access internal cavities, such as the abdomen or joints. A cannula is inserted into and is secured to the incision site. Surgical instruments are passed through the proximal openings of cannulas to enter a body cavity. During these procedures, the body cavity is inflated with an insufflated gas or liquid to create a surgical zone in the body cavity for surgical instruments. These ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0029]In another embodiment, the inventive cannula comprises a lumen with multiple flow channels defined within the wall of the lumen or defined thereon. The lumen is attached at the proximal end to a manifold, a bellows and a rotating cap. The manifold comprises layers that are rotatable relative to each other. One layer defines various ports that are connected to the flow channels defined in or on the lumen wall. Another layer is rotatable to select which port(s) to open or close to effect flow into the inner lumen membrane, the outer anchor / seal membrane and the bellows. The cap is rotated toward the manifold to squeeze the fluid from the bellows into one or both membranes to pressurize same.

[0030]In another embodiment, the cannulas of the present invention can be manufactured by 3-D printing in whole or in part, preferably, the portion(s) of the cannulas that contain flow channels. An advantage of 3-D printing is that the sidewall of the lumen of the cannula can be printed to be thin with flow channels to minimize the incision size.

Problems solved by technology

This is less than ideal because there is no positive pressure gradient from the inflated internal membrane to the body cavity for a positive seal.

These anchoring protrusions are rigid and are pressed against the incision site, which may cause post-procedure discomfort for the patient.

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