Laparoscopic Vaginal Cuff Occluder
OwnerTerri Lynne Behrman Pustilnikinventor
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Abstract
Embodiments described herein comprise an apparatus and method for preventing fluid from flowing through the vagina. The apparatus comprises an introducer for inserting into the patient's vagina. The apparatus may further comprise an expandable device coupled to the introducer. The expandable device may be configured to expand into a substantially sealing engagement with an inner wall of the patient's vagina once the introducer is located within the patient's vagina. The expandable device may be capable of maintaining a fluid pressure in the abdominal cavity of the patient after a fluid connection has been made with the vagina and the abdominal cavity.
Claims20
A surgical tool, comprising:
- an introducer, wherein the introducer is configured to insert into a vagina;
- an expandable device couplable to a portion of the introducer, wherein at least a portion of the expandable device is configured to expand into a wall of the vagina;
- an actuator for expanding the expandable device;
- and
- a handle for manipulating the surgical tool and wherein the expandable device is configured to substantially seal the vagina during a surgical procedure thereby preventing fluids from flowing past the expandable device and the wall of the vagina.
A method for substantially preventing fluid from flowing through a vagina during surgery, comprising:
- filling a portion of the abdominal cavity with a fluid;
- inserting an introducer of a surgical tool into the vagina;
- expanding an expandable device coupled to the introducer into a wall of the vagina;
- cutting a portion of the vagina thereby fluidly coupling the abdominal cavity with vagina;
- and
- preventing the fluid from flowing out of the vagina.
A method for substantially preventing fluid from flowing through a vagina during surgery, comprising:
- filling a portion of the abdominal cavity with a fluid;
- selecting a surgical tool having an introducer with a outer perimeter which is larger than a patient's vagina;
- inserting an introducer of a surgical tool into the patient's vagina;
- sealing the vagina with at least a portion of the introducer;
- cutting a portion of the vagina thereby fluidly coupling the abdominal cavity with vagina;
- and
- preventing the fluid from flowing out of the vagina.
A surgical tool, comprising:
- an introducer configured to insert into a patient's vagina;
- a balloon coupled to the introducer and configured to expand into engagement with an inner wall of the vagina;
- an actuator configured to inflate the balloon from an unexpanded condition to the expanded condition;
- and
- a handle for manipulating the surgical tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.