Surgical lift method and apparatus
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsMark S. Ortiz, Stephen J. Failla, Jean-Pierre Kinet, Frederic Marie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for lifting an abdominal wall during laparoscopic diagnostic and surgical procedures. The surgical lift device includes a gripping portion for contacting and holding an external skin surface adjacent the abdominal wall. The gripping portion is selectively detachable from the skin surface. The device further includes a lifting portion that extends outwardly from the gripping portion. In accordance with alternative embodiments, the gripping portion may comprise an adhesive sheet or a suction member and the lifting portion may comprise a wire member or a portion of a hook and loop-type fastener.
Claims13
A surgical lift device for lifting and holding an abdominal wall portion of a human body in an elevated position to perform a diagnostic or surgical procedure in an abdominal cavity, comprising:
- a gripping portion for contacting and holding an external skin surface adjacent the abdominal wall of a human body, said gripping portion having a gripping force sufficient to permit lifting of said abdominal wall to an elevated position and to hold said abdominal wall in said elevated position to permit diagnostic or surgical procedures to be performed in an abdominal cavity, said gripping portion being selectively detachable from said skin surface said gripping portion having at least one access hole that extends therethrough;
- and
- a lifting portion extending upwardly from said gripping portion for elevating the gripping portion and moving said abdominal wall into its elevated position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.