Magnetic positioning system for trocarless laparoscopic instruments
OwnerJeffrey A. Cadeddu, Linda A. Baker +1inventors
InventorsJeffrey A. Cadeddu, Linda A. Baker, Richard Bergs
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for performing surgery, and in particular to devices employing magnetic fields to position and orient medical instruments inside a human body. To provide for greater flexibility of endoscopic viewing and instrument usage and to reduce morbidity, the inventors have developed of a novel laparoscopic system that allows for intra-abdominal movement of an endoscopic camera and surgical instruments without additional port sites. A set of one or more magnets located external to the patient's body are used to position, orient, and/or secure instruments located internal to the patient's body.
Claims20
A method of reorienting a laparoscopic instrument having a magnetically attractive element with at least one principal magnetic axis from a first orientation to a second orientation, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating a magnetic field in alignment with the principal magnetic axis of the magnetically-attractive element;
- and
- reorienting the magnetic field in such a manner as to reorient the laparoscopic instrument to the second orientation.
A method of reorienting a laparoscopic instrument from a first orientation to a second orientation, the method comprising the steps of:
- rigidly attaching to the laparoscopic instrument a magnetically-attractive element having at least one principal magnetic axis;
- generating a magnetic field in alignment with the principal magnetic axis of the magnetically-attractive element;
- and
- reorienting the magnetic field in such a manner as to reorient the laparoscopic instrument to the second orientation.
A method of capturing an image from within a human body comprising the steps of:
- inserting a instrument having light-sensitive elements and a magnetically-attractive element into the body;
- applying a magnetic field to the magnetically-attractive element in such a manner as to orient the instrument to a desired orientation;
- and
- exposing the light-sensitive elements of the instrument to light reflected from a desired internal feature.
A method of repositioning a laparoscopic instrument having a magnetically attractive element with at least one principal magnetic axis from a first position to a second position, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying to the magnetically-attractive element a first magnetic field aligned with a first principal axis;
- and
- applying to the magnetically attractive element a second magnetic field aligned with a second principal axis.
A method of moving a laparoscopic instrument having a magnetically-attractive element from a first orientation and second position to a second orientation and second position, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting the first position;
- applying to the magnetically attractive element a first magnetic field aligned with a first principal axis so as to translate the laparoscopic instrument from the first position to the second position;
- detecting the laparoscopic instrument orientation;
- and
- applying to the magnetically attractive element a second magnetic field so as to reorient the laparoscopic instrument to the second orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.