Bladder tumour retrieval device

Abstract

A bladder tumour retrieval device comprising a housing 12, a first elongate shaft 14 extending from the housing 12, the housing 12 and first elongate shaft 14 defining an aperture 16 therethrough, a tissue grasper extending from the housing, the tissue grasper comprising a handle 42, a trigger mechanism 44 located adjacent a first end portion of the handle, and a second shaft 40 extending from a second end portion of the handle 42, a tissue retrieval system comprising an elongate deployment handle having a first portion engageable with the housing, a second portion distal to the first portion and extendable through the aperture, and a tissue retrieval bag arranged adjacent the second portion, and an irrigation system engageable with the housing and in fluid communication with the aperture. A portion of the tissue grasper handle is integral with the housing and the first end portion of the handle extends away from the housing in a first direction and the second end portion of the handle extends away from the housing in a second direction opposing the first direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a bladder tumour retrieval device. In particular, the present invention relates to a bladder tumour retrieval device having a tissue grasper function that is operable by either hand of a user. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical techniques are well-known for abdominal operations and, in particular, abdominal operations for the removal of tumour tissue, without the need for the large incisions required by traditional surgery techniques. Typically, when performing tissue removal using endoscopic or laparoscopic techniques, it is necessary to have three separate devices inserted into the patient i.e., the camera, a grasping / cutting device, and a tissue retrieval bag. This requires at least three separate incisions to be made in the patient, or a single enlarged incision. This is undesirable for a patient and it can lead to increased risk of infection, longer recovery times and increased discomfort for the patient during recuperation. One solution to this is would be to incorporate one of more of these functions within a single device. However, such multifunctional devices present the various functions in a predefined arrangement, which may not suit the preferences of the surgeon using the device. For example, a left-handed surgeon and a right-handed surgeon will have different preferences with respect to the location of the respective manipulation functions of each function within the combined device. Obviously, it is possible to provide a variety of differently designed instruments from which a surgeon may select their preferred instrument for use during surgery. However, this is an expensive option requiring multiple devices with different designs. There is therefore a need for an alternative surgical instrument design. The present invention seeks to address the problems of prior art devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects of the present invention are set out in the attached claims. A first aspect of the present invention provides a bladder tumour retrieval device comprising; a housing; a first elongate shaft extending from the housing, the housing and first elongate shaft defining an aperture therethrough; a tissue grasper extending from the housing, the tissue grasper comprising a handle, a trigger mechanism located adjacent a first end portion of the handle, and a second shaft extending from a second end portion of the handle; a tissue retrieval system comprising an elongate deployment handle having a first portion engageable with the housing, a second portion distal to the first portion and extendable through the aperture, and a tissue retrieval bag arranged adjacent the second portion; and an irrigation system engageable with the housing and in fluid communication with the aperture, wherein, at least a portion of the tissue grasper handle is integral with the housing and the first end portion of the handle extends away from the housing in a first direction and the second end portion of the handle extends away from the housing in a second direction opposing the first direction. The tissue grasper handle may be integral with the housing or may be removably engageable with the housing. By integrating a portion of the tissue grasper within the housing of the device, it is possible to avoid having to mount the tissue grasper on one side of the device. Thus, no matter whether a user is right-handed or left-handed, they will be able to access the tissue grasper. This is advantageous over mounting the tissue grasper on a side of the device, which only accommodates either a left-handed user or a right-handed user, depending on what side the tissue grasper is located. In one embodiment, the shaft defines a first axis, and the handle defines a second axis, the first and second axes extending in a common plane defined by a cross-section through the shaft and housing. Thus, the tissue grasper is centrally located within the housing and therefore equally as accessible from either side of the device. In a further embodiment, the trigger is arranged proximal to the first shaft and the second end portion of the handle is arranged distal to the first shaft. Alternatively, the trigger may be arranged distal to the first shaft and the second shaft is arrange proximal to the first shaft. The trigger and second shaft may be located on the same side of the first axis. For example, the whole of the tissue grasper may be located below the axis defined by the shaft. This is particularly advantageous when the housing is a pistol grip style design. Alternatively, the trigger may be located on an opposing side of the first axis to the second shaft. This is particularly advantageous when the housing is a straight handle style design. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following figures: Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a bladder tumour retrieval device housing, shaft, deployment bag, syringe, and tissue grasper in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2A is a side view of a second embodiment of a bladder tumour retrieval device housing, shaft, deployment bag, syringe, and tissue grasper in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2B is a side view of a third embodiment of a bladder tumour retrieval device housing, shaft, deployment bag, syringe, and tissue grasper in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 shows a bladder tumour retrieval device 10 comprising a pistol grip style housing 12 and shaft 14, both of which define an aperture 16 therethrough. Housing 12 includes a fluid reservoir receiving cavity in the form of a syringe cavity 26 to which a syringe 28 may be connected. Syringe cavity 26 is in fluid communication with aperture 16 such that, in use, fluid expelled from a connected syringe 28 on depression of syringe plunger 29 will flow through syringe cavity 26 and through aperture 16 in housing 12 and shaft 14 and be expelled from the end 30 of shaft 14 distal to housing 12. Housing 12 further includes a bag deployment handle receiving portion 32 to which a bag deployment handle 34 may be connected. Bag deployment handle 34 is provided with grip 35 for gripping by a user when manipulating the bag deployment handle 34. A collar 36 is provided on housing 12 through which bag deployment handle 34 extends during use. Collar 36 retains bag deployment handle 34 in a suitable position for ease of access by a user. Bag deployment handle 34 is in mechanical communication with a tissue bag (not shown). During use, the tissue bag is located within shaft 14. Once the end 30 of shaft 14 has been inserted into the body cavity of a patient, bag deployment handle 34 may be operated by a user to deploy the tissue bag i.e., to extend the tissue bag beyond the end 30 of shaft 14 within the body cavity. Once deployed, the tissue bag may be used to collect retrieved tissue before being withdrawn, either fully or partially, back into shaft 13 on further operation of the bag deployment handle 34 by the user. Distal end 30 of shaft 14 may then be withdrawn from the body cavity and the retrieved tissue removed from the tissue bag for further analysis and / or disposal. Bladder tumour retrieval device 10 further comprises a tissue grasper 38. Tissue grasper 38 comprises a shaft 40 and a handle 42 engaged with shaft 40. A trigger mechanism 44 is provided at an end 47 of the handle 42 distal to shaft 40. Shaft 40 extends from handle 42 and extends into housing 12 through tissue grasper receiving portion 43 and along aperture 16 in housing 12 and shaft 14 of bladder tumour retrieval device 10. A portion of handle 42 is integral to housing 12. The portion of handle 42 that is integral to housing 12 is centrally located within housing 12 such that the handle may be accessed equally from either side of the housing 12. Thus, whether the device is gripped by a right-handed user or a left-handed user, the user will be able to comfortably access the tissue grasper trigger from either side of the device 10. Tissue grasper 38 further comprises conventional tissue grasping jaws or surgical tweezers (not shown) at an end of shaft 40 distal to trigger mechanism 44. Opening or closing of the jaws or tweezers may be initiated by operation of the trigger mechanism 44 by a user after shaft 40 has been extended sufficiently through aperture 16 that tissue grasping jaws / surgical tweezers extend beyond distal end 30 of shaft 14. Figures 2A and 2B show a second embodiment of a bladder tissue retrieval device 10 comprising a straight handle style housing 12, and shaft 14, both of which define an aperture 16 therethrough. Housing 12 includes a fluid reservoir receiving cavity in the form of a syringe cavity 26 to which a syringe 28 may be connected. Syringe cavity 26 is in fluid communication with aperture 16 such that, in use, fluid expelled from a connected syringe 28 on depression of syringe plunger 29 will flow through syringe cavity 26 and through aperture 16 in housing 12 and shaft 14 and be expelled from the end 30 of shaft 14 distal to housing 12. Housing 12 further includes a bag deployment handle receiving portion 32 to which a bag deployment handle 34 may be connected. In figure 2A, bag deployment handle receiving portion 32 is located distal to, and in line with, shaft 14, such that shaft 14 and bag deployment handle 34 define a single axis therethrough. In figure 2B, bag deployment handle receiving portion 32 is located on the lower side of housing 12 such that bag deployment handle 34 extends downwards from housing 12 in a direction away from shaft 14. In the embodiments of figures 2A and 2B, bag deployment handle 34 is provided with grip 35 for gripping by a user when manipulating the bag deployment handle 34. Bag deployment handle 34 is in mechanical communication with a tissue bag (not shown) via aperture 14. During use, the tissue bag is located within shaft 14. Once the end 30 of shaft 14 has been inserted into the body cavity of a patient, bag deployment handle 34 may be operated by a user to deploy the tissue bag, i.e. to extend the tissue bag beyond the end 30 of shaft 14 within the body cavity. Once deployed, the tissue bag may be used to collect retrieved tissue before being withdrawn, either fully or partially, back into shaft 13 on further operation of the bag deployment handle 34 by the user. Distal end 30 of shaft 14 may then be withdrawn from the body cavity and the retrieved tissue removed from the tissue bag for further analysis and / or disposal. Bladder tumour retrieval device 10 further comprises a tissue grasper 38. Tissue grasper 38 comprises a shaft 40 and a handle 42 engaged with shaft 40. A trigger mechanism 44 is provided at an end 47 of the handle 42 distal to shaft 40. Shaft 40 extends from handle 42 and extends into housing 12 through tissue grasper receiving portion 43 and along aperture 16 in housing 12 and shaft 14 of bladder tumour retrieval device 10. In the embodiments of figures 2A and 2B, tissue grasper 38 is arranged such that trigger mechanism 44 is located on the opposite side of the axis through shaft 14 to shaft 40. This facilitates access to trigger mechanism 44 by a user gripping straight handle style housing 12. A portion of handle 42 is integral to housing 12. The portion of handle 42 that is integral to housing 12 is centrally located within housing 12 such that the handle may be accessed equally from either side of the housing 12. Thus, whether the device is gripped by a right-handed user or a left-handed user, the user will be able to comfortably access the tissue grasper trigger from either side of the device 10. Tissue grasper 38 further comprises conventional tissue grasping jaws or surgical tweezers (not shown) at an end of shaft 40 distal to trigger mechanism 44. Opening or closing of the jaws or tweezers may be initiated by operation of the trigger mechanism 44 by a user after shaft 40 has been extended sufficiently through aperture 16 that tissue grasping jaws / surgical tweezers extend beyond distal end 30 of shaft 14. When used, for example by a surgeon carrying out a medical procedure, the user may opt to grip housing 12 with their right-hand and operate the trigger mechanism 44 with their left- 5 hand, or vice versa. The centred location of the integral tissue grasper 38 allow the user to have equal and comfortable unobstructed access to trigger mechanism 44 whether they choose to operate the trigger mechanism 44 with their right or their left hand. The decision on which hand to use to operate the trigger mechanism 44 may be influenced by several factors, including the user’s right-handed or left-handed preference and / or the user’s hand 10 strength. It is to be appreciated that, during use of all embodiments of the present invention, a camera feed could be extended through aperture 16 of device 10 to facilitate the user viewing the body cavity throughout the procedure, thus further minimising the number of devices required during a surgical procedure.

Claims

1. A bladder tumour retrieval device comprising;a. housing;b. a first elongate shaft extending from the housing, the housing and first elongate shaft defining an aperture therethrough;c. a tissue grasper extending from the housing, the tissue grasper comprising a handle, a trigger mechanism located adjacent a first end portion of the handle, and a second shaft extending from a second end portion of the handle;d. a tissue retrieval system comprising an elongate deployment handle having a first portion engageable with the housing, a second portion distal to the first portion and extendable through the aperture, and a tissue retrieval bag arranged adjacent the second portion;e. an irrigation system engageable with the housing and in fluid communication with the aperture;wherein, at least a portion of the tissue grasper handle is integral with the housing and the first end portion of the handle extends away from the housing in a first direction and the second end portion of the handle extends away from the housing in a second direction opposing the first direction.

2. A bladder tumour retrieval device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft defines a first axis and the handle defines a second axis, the first and second axes extending in a common plane defined by a cross-section through the shaft and housing.

3. A bladder tumour retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the trigger is arranged proximal to the first shaft and the second end portion of the handle is arranged distal to the first shaft.

4. A bladder tumour retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the trigger is arranged distal to the first shaft and the second shaft is arrange proximal to the firstshaft.

5. A bladder tumour retrieval device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the trigger and second shaft are located on the same side of the first axis.

6. A bladder tumour retrieval device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the trigger is located on an opposing side of the first axis to the second shaft.10

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