Laparoscopic surgical device and related method
OwnerPeter J. Wilkinventor
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Abstract
A device for use in laparoscopic surgical operations comprises a Veress needle assembly including a Veress needle, and a pressure sensor or an ultrasound sensor operatively connected to the needle assembly for monitoring pressure. In using the device to insufflate or pressurize a patient's abdomen with carbon dioxide, the needle is connected to a pressure source upon the detection of a drop in pressure or in response to an ultrasonic image or other indication as to the locations of internal organs and tissues of the patient.
Claims7
A method for use in performing a laparoscopic surgical operation, comprising the steps of:
- inserting a Veress needle through an abdominal wall of a patient;
- during said step of inserting, automatically monitoring pressure at a distal end of said needle;
- and
- upon detecting a drop in pressure at said distal end of said needle, connecting said needle to a pressure source for inflating an abdominal cavity of the patient, thereby commencing abdominal insufflation prior to a laparoscopic procedure.
A method for use in performing a laparoscopic surgical operation, comprising the steps of:
- inserting a Veress needle through an abdominal wall of a patient;
- during said step of inserting, emitting ultrasonic pressure waves in the direction of insertion of said needle;
- automatically sensing ultrasonic waves reflected from internal tissues in the patient;
- analyzing the sensed ultrasonic waves to determine internal structures of said patient;
- upon detecting, via said steps of sensing and analyzing, an abdominal cavity of said patient in the direction of insertion of said needle, manipulating said needle to position a distal end thereof in the detected abdominal cavity;
- and
- upon the positioning of the distal end of said needle in the detected abdominal cavity, connecting said needle to a pressure source for inflating the detected abdominal cavity of the patient, thereby commencing abdominal insufflation prior to a laparoscopic procedure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.