# US 2013/0253281 A1 · Laparoscopic instrument and trocar systems and related surgical method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0253281 A1 - Document ID: US20130253281A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/835,216 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2013-09-26 - Earliest claimed: 1998-09-15 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Gregory Piskun - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130253281A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/3423: {Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands (access sites for liquids A61M39/0247)} - A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/06066: {Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations} - A61B 17/34: Trocars; Puncturing needles - A61B 17/3403: {Needle locating or guiding means} - A61B 17/3421: {Cannulas} - A61B 90/50: Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms - A61B 17/0469: {Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery} - A61B 2017/00557: {inflatable (A61B2017/22051 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/0225: {flexible, e.g. fabrics, meshes, or membranes} - A61B 2017/06028: {by means of a cylindrical longitudinal blind bore machined at the suture-receiving end of the needle, e.g. opposite to needle tip} - A61B 2017/06047: {located at the middle of the needle} - A61B 2017/0609: {having sharp tips at both ends, e.g. shuttle needle alternately retained and released by first and second facing jaws of a suturing instrument} - A61B 2017/2904: {curved, but rigid} - A61B 2017/2905: {flexible} - A61B 2017/3419: {Sealing means between cannula and body} - A61B 2017/3445: {used as instrument channel for multiple instruments} - A61B 2017/3447: {Linked multiple cannulas} - A61B 2017/3486: {Balloon} - A61B 2017/3492: {against the outside of the body} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Laparoscopic instruments and trocars are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. A generally C-shaped trocar provides increased work space between the hands of the surgeon as well as S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the trocar when laparoscopic instrument-trocar units are placed through the umbilicus. In order to facilitate retraction of intra-abdominal structures during a laparoscopic procedure, an angulated needle and thread with either one- or two sharp ends is provided. Alternatively, an inflatable unit having at least one generally C-shaped trocar incorporated within the unit's walls can be placed through the umbilicus following a single incision. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments may be placed through the generally C-shaped trocars to facilitate access to intra-abdominal structures. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-27. (canceled) ### Claim 28 A trocar unit comprising: a flexible lateral wall defining a cavity and a longitudinal axis, a distal portion of which forms a surgical site, the cavity having a proximal end and an open distal end; a flexible first plate configured to connect to a proximal portion of the flexible lateral wall; the flexible first plate surrounded by the flexible lateral wall, the flexible first plate extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of independent portals extending through at least said flexible first plate, at least one of said independent portals extending through at least said flexible first plate in a direction transverse to said flexible first plate, said portals being configured and dimensioned for simultaneous accommodation of surgical instrumentation, the flexible first plate further including a rigid section attached around the periphery of the flexible first plate, said flexible first plate spaced from the open distal end of the cavity and being positioned above an opening at the surgical site. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The trocar unit as in claim 28, further comprising: a second plate configured to fit securely within a portion of the flexible lateral wall and disposed distally with respect to the flexible first plate; and a second rigid section attached around the periphery of the second plate. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The trocar unit as in claim 29, wherein the flexible lateral wall defines a sealed inflatable cavity, with the second plate oriented parallel to said flexible first plate, said second plate cooperating with said flexible lateral wall to seal the flexible first plate in position when the cavity is inflated. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The trocar unit as in claim 29, wherein the flexible first plate, the flexible lateral wall and the second plate together define a working access for surgical instruments positioned in said portals. ### Claim 32 (depends on 28) The trocar unit as in claim 28, wherein at least the flexible lateral wall is deformable between a first position for insertion into a surgical incision and a second position in sealing contact with the surgical incision. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The trocar unit as in claim 29, wherein at least the flexible lateral wall is deformable between a first position for insertion into a surgical incision and a second position in sealing contact with the surgical incision. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The trocar unit as in claim 33, wherein at least the flexible lateral wall and the second plate are deformable between a first position for insertion into a surgical incision and a second position in sealing contact with the surgical incision. ### Claim 35 (depends on 30) The trocar unit as in claim 30, wherein the flexible lateral wall, the flexible first plate and the second plate together define the sealed inflatable cavity. ### Claim 36 (depends on 30) The trocar unit as in claim 30, wherein the sealed inflatable cavity is configured and dimensioned to assume a deflated position and an inflated position, wherein, when the sealed inflatable cavity is in the deflated position, the trocar unit assumes a configuration facilitating insertion into the surgical incision of the patient. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The trocar unit as in claim 36, wherein, when the sealed inflatable cavity is in the deflated position, the trocar unit is configured such that the flexible first plate remains outside the surgical incision. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The trocar unit as in claim 36, wherein, when the sealed inflatable cavity is in the deflated position, the trocar unit is configured such that the second plate is located at the surgical incision in proximity to the interior of the abdominal cavity. ### Claim 39 (depends on 28) The trocar unit as in claim 28, wherein the portals include instrument trocars having a proximal portion and a distal portion and wherein the proximal portion extends proximally of the flexible first plate. ### Claim 40 A trocar unit comprising: a flexible lateral wall defining a cavity and a longitudinal axis, a distal portion of which forms a surgical site, the cavity having a proximal end and an open distal end; a flexible first plate configured to connect to a proximal portion of the flexible lateral wall; the flexible first plate surrounded by the flexible lateral wall, the flexible first plate extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of independent portals extending through at least said flexible first plate, at least one of said independent portals extending through at least said flexible first plate in a direction transverse to said flexible first plate, said portals being configured and dimensioned for simultaneous accommodation of surgical instrumentation, the flexible first plate further including a rigid section inserted around the periphery of the flexible first plate, said flexible first plate spaced from the open distal end of the cavity and being positioned above an opening at the surgical site. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The trocar unit as in claim 40, further comprising: a second plate configured to fit securely within a portion of the flexible lateral wall and disposed distally with respect to the flexible first plate; and a second rigid section inserted around the periphery of the second plate. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The trocar unit as in claim 41, wherein the flexible lateral wall defines a sealed inflatable cavity, with the second plate oriented parallel to said flexible first plate, said second plate cooperating with said flexible lateral wall to seal the flexible first plate in position when the cavity is inflated. ### Claim 43 (depends on 41) The trocar unit as in claim 41, wherein the flexible first plate, the flexible lateral wall and the second plate together define a working access for surgical instruments positioned in said portals. ### Claim 44 (depends on 40) The trocar unit as in claim 40, wherein at least the flexible lateral wall is deformable between a first position for insertion into a surgical incision and a second position in sealing contact with the surgical incision. ### Claim 45 (depends on 41) The trocar unit as in claim 41, wherein at least the flexible lateral wall is deformable between a first position for insertion into a surgical incision and a second position in sealing contact with the surgical incision. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The trocar unit as in claim 45, wherein at least the flexible lateral wall and the second plate are deformable between a first position for insertion into a surgical incision and a second position in sealing contact with the surgical incision. ### Claim 47 (depends on 42) The trocar unit as in claim 42, wherein the flexible lateral wall, the flexible first plate and the second plate together define the sealed inflatable cavity. ### Claim 48 (depends on 42) The trocar unit as in claim 42, wherein the sealed inflatable cavity is configured and dimensioned to assume a deflated position and an inflated position, wherein, when the sealed inflatable cavity is in the deflated position, the trocar unit assumes a configuration facilitating insertion into the surgical incision of the patient. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The trocar unit as in claim 48, wherein, when the sealed inflatable cavity is in the deflated position, the trocar unit is configured such that the flexible first plate remains outside the surgical incision. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The trocar unit as in claim 48, wherein, when the sealed inflatable cavity is in the deflated position, the trocar unit is configured such that the second plate is located at the surgical incision in proximity to the interior of the abdominal cavity. ### Claim 51 (depends on 40) The trocar unit as in claim 40, wherein the portals include instrument trocars having a proximal portion and a distal portion and wherein the proximal portion extends proximally of the flexible first plate.