The present invention generally relates to a laparoscopic surgical tool. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to laparoscopic forceps integrated with a
suction irrigation unit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
[002] The abdominal cavity has long been a focus for surgical procedures due to its
complexity. In the nineteenth century, laparotomy was a popular surgical procedure
for operating on the abdominal organs, which often required bigger incisions.
However, the onset of laparoscopy at the end of the 19th century resulted in the
adoption of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This was successful as the abdominal
organs could be accessed from the outside with relative ease.
[003] Laparoscopic surgery is a modern surgical technique in which a surgeon performs
operations in the abdomen of a patient through relatively small incisions (usually 0.5-
1.5 cm). Laparoscopic surgery includes operations within the abdominal or pelvic
cavities. Older surgical techniques, such as laparotomy, required large abdominal
incisions. Thus, the laparoscopic procedure is referred to as minimally invasive
surgery because of the small incisions.
[004] The laparoscopic procedure involves making three small incisions in the abdomen:
one for the forceps, the second for the Suction Irrigation (S-I) device, and the third for
a camera to provide a clear vision of the operating field. Surgical instruments are
introduced into the patient's body through a trocar. The abdomen is inflated using
pressurized Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to provide sufficient room for the surgeon to
operate and to provide a clear view.
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[005] Different types of forceps are used for grasping, cutting, sealing, cauterizing, etc.
These surgical operations often result in blood or other body fluids oozing out of the
tissues, obstructing the field of view.
[006] The S-I process cleans and disinfects the operated region, thereby reducing the
chances of infection or inflammation after the surgery, in addition to providing a clear
view to the surgeon. During irrigation, fluid is pumped into the area of surgery,
followed by suction, during which the fluids in the region are sucked out. The
supplied fluid includes saline water or any other disinfecting fluid as required by the
surgeon.
[007] Electro-cauterization burns off tissue using high-frequency electrical power supply at
the jaw tip to cut and remove disease infected tissue. Laparoscopic forceps can use
both unipolar and bipolar ultrasonic frequency supply, which is termed as
electrosurgical operation.
[008] There are several advantages to the patient with laparoscopic surgery versus an open
laparotomy procedure. These include reduced hemorrhaging, reducing the chance of
needing a blood transfusion, reduced exposure of internal organs to possible external
contaminants thereby reducing the risk of acquiring infections, smaller incisions,
reducing pain thereby requiring less pain medication, less post-operative scarring,
shorter hospital stay, shorter recovery time with a faster return to everyday living.
[009] While there are many advantages to the patient, laparoscopic surgery requires great
surgical skill to offset some of the technical disadvantages of the procedure. The
surgeon has a limited range of motion at the surgical site resulting in a loss of
dexterity and must use tools to interact with tissue rather than directly manipulating
by hand.
[010] Surgeons depend on suction devices and irrigation to maintain adequate visualization.
A suction device creates negative pressure to suck the fluid inside the abdomen.
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Current suction devices, however, are inefficient in many respects. For example, one
concern with suction devices is the force imparted to tissue caused by the force at the
openings of the suction device, which can result in occlusion. Another possibility is
that if the suction pressure is increased, there may be a chance that the healthy tissue
is sucked in the S-I device.
[011] During surgery, the excess fluid and charred particles obstruct the field of view and
require to be removed periodically. This requires the removal of one instrument and
insertion of the S-I device. Also, continuous removal and insertion of instruments
result in a pressure drop in the abdomen. Consequently, after completing the S-I
process, the abdomen must be inflated again by supplying an additional amount of
CO2, which adds to the duration of surgery.
[012] In addition, due to the prolonged duration of surgeries involving the insertion and
removal of multiple instruments, surgeons are very likely to feel fatigued and possibly
suffer injuries after performing laparoscopic surgeries. Due to the removal and
insertion of multiple instruments, there can be a risk to the patient if they are not
inserted properly, disrupting the sequence of surgery. All of these contribute to the
increase in the duration of surgery by up to 30%.
[013] Many have proposed improvements to laparoscopic surgical equipment such as
flexible rods and shafts with distally attached tools inserted through a trocar placed in
the incision. Others have proposed articulated devices that rotate to some degree but
do not provide an internal fluid transport channel within the device.
[014] Even though improvements have introduced many instruments, only a few of them
focused on the multi-functionality of the instrument.
[015] US8821377 B2 recites a method of laparoscopic surgery and a kit that could be used
in laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
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[016] US20140236147 A1 recites a shaft for a rigid endoscopic instrument, comprising an
elongate outer shaft and an elongate transmission element that can be arranged
movably inside the outer shaft, characterized in that the outer shaft comprises a
proximal portion and a distal portion, which can be connected releasably to each
other.
[017] US20150038895A1 provides a tool for laparoscopic surgery that increases a range for
irrigating and suctioning. The tool of US'895 provides an irrigation and suction tip for
laparoscopic surgery, having an increased range of irrigating and suctioning within a
surgical cavity.
[018] US20160206369 recites a surgical suction device that provides a controlled negative
pressure to a surgical site. The device includes a tubular body with a distal absorbent
material and a handle manually grasped by the user to control levels of negative
pressure at the surgical site to adjust the flow rate of fluid during removal.
[019] Many improvements concentrate on improving the design of the forceps, and a few try to
improve the efficiency of the suction irrigation process by having absorbent materials
integrated into the device. However, the combination of the forceps with the suctionirrigation apparatus has not been addressed before.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[020] An object of the invention is to overcome the limitation associated with the prior art
documents.
[021] Another object of the invention is to provide a laparoscopic surgical device that can
function as a multipurpose instrument that can cut, grasp, and cauterize the tissue
[022] Further object of the present invention is to provide a laparoscopic surgical device to
minimize the cost of surgery to suit medical needs and can improve the ease of usage.
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[023] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a laparoscopic surgical device to
reduce the time lost in switching between them during laparoscopic surgery
[024] Further another object of the invention is to provide a laparoscopic surgical device for
simultaneous suction and irrigation, thereby avoiding the insertion of multiple
instruments multiple times, keeping the inert gas level pumped inside the abdomen
stable and minimizes the risk to the patient as well as the surgeon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[025] In an aspect, the invention is to provide laparoscopy forceps with suction irrigation to
save time and increase the efficiency of the laparoscopic surgical process.
[026] In an aspect, the device of the present invention comprises an outer sleeve over the
laparoscopy forceps. A gap between the outer rod of laparoscopy forceps and the outer
sleeve serves as an annular region through which the suction irrigation fluids flow. The
suction irrigation fluid and carbon dioxide (CO2) can be fed to or removed from the
device through a conduit protruding from the outer sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[027] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention,
will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For
the purpose of assisting in the explanation of the invention, there are shown in the
drawings embodiments which are presently preferred and considered illustrative. It
should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise
arrangements and instrumentalities shown therein. In the drawings:
FIG 1 is an illustration of the outer sleeve with protrusion for suction or irrigation.
FIG 2 is an illustration of the outer sleeve in suction irrigation mode.
FIG 3 is an illustration of the retracted position of the outer sleeve in forceps mode.
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FIG. 4 is an exploded view of component parts of the laparoscopy device.
FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the jaws assembly of the laparoscopy device.
FIG 6. is a close-up view of the handle assembly of the laparoscopy device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[028] In describing and claiming the invention, the following terminology will be used in
accordance with the definitions set forth below. Unless defined otherwise, all
technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein
can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods
and materials are described herein. As used herein, each of the following terms has the
meaning associated with it in this section. Specific and preferred values listed below
for individual process parameters, substituents, and ranges are for illustration only;
they do not exclude other defined values or other values falling within the preferred
defined ranges.
[029] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural reference unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[030] The terms "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that
may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other
embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances.
Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that
other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments
from the scope of the invention
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[031] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," "containing,"
"involving," and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean
including but not limited to.
[032] As used herein, the term "laparoscopy" refers to a specialized technique used in
Minimally-Invasive Surgery (MIS).
[033] As used herein, the term "suction irrigation" refers to the procedure of spraying and
removal of the cleaning fluid used to clear the operating site of blood and other body
fluids which block the view of the surgeon.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAPAROSCOPY DEVICE
[034] Referring to figure 4, the laparoscopy device (10) of the present invention comprises
of an inner rod (1), a pin (2), a clawbar (3), an actuating connector (4), a head (5), an
outer rod (6), a knob (7), a connector (8), an outer sleeve (9) haing a conduit (20), a
fixed handle (10), a movable handle (11), a link (12), an outer cap (13), a locking pin
(14), a top claw with bar (15), a bottom claw with bar (16) and a terminal (17).
[035] The top claw with bar (15) and the bottom claw with bar (16) forms a jaw assembly.
The fixed handle (10) and a movable handle (11) form a handle assembly.
[036] The inner rod (1) transmits the motion of fixed handle (10) and movable handle (11)
to the top claw with bar (15) and bottom claw with bar (16). The clawbar (3) is used
to activate the motion of top claw with bar (15) and bottom claw with bar (16) by
connecting with the inner rod (1). The actuating connector (4) connects the fixed
handle (10) and movable handle (11) with the inner rod (1) through a ball and socket
joint. The head (5) encases a jaw assembly comprising of a top claw with bar (15) and
a bottom claw with bar (16). The outer rod (6) encloses the inner rod (1) and contains
threading for attaching the connector (8).
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[037] The knob (7) is connected over the outer rod (6) to change the orientation of the jaw
assembly. The knob (7) comprises a plurality of symmetric grooves, which can be
rotated either clockwise or anticlockwise. The grooves also ensure that it can be
operated using only one finger, usually the index finger of the same hand which holds
the instrument.
[038] The connector (8) is fitted with rubber washers to restrict flow in one direction. The
connector (8) acts as the extreme position for the outer sleeve (9) and has a groove for
the locking pin (14) to slide into, fixing the outer sleeve (9) in place.
[039] The outer sleeve (9) acts as a suction-irrigation conduit. The motion of the outer
sleeve (9) is restricted to two extreme positions using grooved metallic collars to
house a locking pin (14). The locking pin (14) affixes the outer sleeve (9) in the two
extreme positions by attaching it to the connector (8) and locking it in place.
[040] The laparoscopic device of the invention operates in two modes, depending on the
position of the outer sleeve (9), namely suction-irrigation (S-I) mode, and forceps
mode. In suction irrigation mode, the outer sleeve (9) can be locked into the grooves
on the connector (8) through a locking pin (14). When the locking pin (14) is rotated,
the outer sleeve (9) is fixed in a position, allowing the surgeon to handle the device
without dislodging the outer sleeve (9). When the outer sleeve (9) is pulled back, the
jaw assembly is uncovered, and the forceps mode of the laparoscopic device is
activated.
[001] The fixed handle (10) connects the jaw assembly with the actuating connector (4) near
the handle, whereas the movable handle (11) transmits the motion of the surgeon. The
link (12) is used for converting the angular motion of the movable handle (11) to the
translatory motion of the actuating connector (4). The outer cap (13) joints the inner
rod (1) and jaw assembly and the handle assembly via threading. The jaw assembly is
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used primarily for grasping the tissue or an organ and cauterizing. Pins (2) are used for
affixing various components of the laparoscopic device.
[002] The handle assembly has been ergonomically designed to be comfortably held and
operated with a single hand. The movable handle (11) is operated using the thumb,
while the index finger rests on a groove near the hub of the fixed handle (10).
[003] The device of the present invention has an outer sleeve (9) over the laparoscopic
forceps known in the art. A gap between the outer rod (6) of the forceps and the outer
sleeve (9) serves as an annular region through which the suction irrigation fluids flow.
The suction irrigation fluid can be fed to or removed from the device through a
conduit (20), as shown in figure 4.
[004] In addition, the design of the laparoscopic device of the present invention facilitates
the outer sleeve (9) to slide along the axis of the outer rod (6), so that when surgery
has to be performed, the outer sleeve (9) is pulled backward, i.e., towards the distal
end of inner rod. The jaw assembly is then actuated using the handle assembly to
move and perform various surgical operations.
[005] Whereas, when the irrigating fluid has to be pumped into the abdomen, the jaw
assembly is first brought to a closed position using the handle assembly. Then the
outer sleeve (9) is pushed forward, that is, towards the proximal end of the instrument,
enclosing the jaws within the sleeve. This enables suction or irrigation to be carried
out without the jaws interfering with the process. The outer sleeve (9) is held locked at
the extreme ends of its motion, as shown in figures 2 and 3.
[006] The jaws can also be rotated by rotating the knob (7) located near the handle for
adjusting the orientation of the jaws. In addition, electrocauterization can be carried
out by electrically activating a terminal (17) located on the handle and passing an
electric current through it.
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[007] In an embodiment, the inner rod (1), the outer rod (6), and the outer sleeve (9) can all
be made flexible to increase the flexibility of the laparoscopic device, so that the
device itself can be bendable during the operation. In another embodiment, the
locking pin (14) mechanism of the device is automated for locking the outer sleeve
(9). In another embodiment, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas can be passed through the
annulus in the outer sleeve (9) itself by duly modifying the valve, which controls
suction or irrigation inlets from the pump.
[008] During surgical operations, a surgeon can push the outer sleeve (9) forward, covering
the jaw assembly to activate the S-I mode. The device can be used to disinfect the
operated region, reducing the chances of infection or inflammation after the surgery,
in addition to obtaining a clear view. The supplied fluid includes saline water or any
other disinfecting fluid as required by the surgeon. The outer sleeve (9) is a
homogenous tapered tube with different diameters at the ends. It has a protrusion that
acts as the outlet during the suction operation and inlet during the irrigation operation.
[009] In the conventional procedure, after the dissection operation, the forceps are removed
from the trocar, the suction irrigation tube is introduced, and the suction irrigation
process is carried out. This exchange of forceps and the suction irrigation tube has to
be done multiple times, as and when required.
[010] The laparoscopy device of the invention eliminates the need for multiple insertions
and can potentially minimize the cost of surgery to suit medical needs, particularly of
the rural population, and can improve the ease of usage, to carry out surgery smoothly
and effectively.
Advantages:
The advantages of our invention are:
[011] It combines laparoscopic forceps and the S-I device into a single instrument to save
time and increase the efficiency of the process.
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[012] This avoids the exchange of instruments, which prevents fatigue/injury to the surgeon,
patient, or both.
[013] This device can be easily assembled/disassembled, is reusable, and can be easily
sterilized.
[014] The device also decreases the chance of leakage of CO2 during the surgical process.

We Claim:
1) A laparoscopic surgical device, comprising:
an inner rod (1) having a constant outside diameter throughout the functional length
of inner rod (1) defined by a proximal end (1A) and a distal end (1B) and having a
circularly cylindrical through hole defined between said proximal and distal end;
at least two claws (15, 16) having respective grip faces forming a jaw assembly;
a clawbar assembly (3) for mounting said claws (15, 16) with first end of said inner
rod (1) through a mounting head (5), wherein said claws (15, 16) pivot relative to said
inner rod (1) in a first axis between an open end and a closed end;
an outer rod (6) having threading deposited over said inner rod (1) between said first
end and second end in communication with a connector (8);
a knob (7) comprising a plurality of symmetric grooves, capable of being rotated
either clockwise or anticlockwise in communication with the outer rod (6);
an outer sleeve (9) deposited over said outer rod (6) forming a predetermined air gap
between outer sleeve (9) and outer rod (6), said outer sleeve (9) is capable of sliding
along the axis of the outer rod (6), wherein said outer sleeve (9) is in communication
with said connector (8) through a locking pin (14);
a handle assembly comprising a fixed handle (10) and a movable handle (11) in
communication with inner rod (1) through an actuating connector (4); and
a link (12) in communication with inner rod and handle assembly capable of
converting the angular motion of the movable handle (11) to the translatory motion of
the actuating connector (4) thereby making claws to pivot.
2) The laparoscopic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connector (8) is fitted
with rubber washers to enable unidirectional flow of fluids.
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3) The laparoscopic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve (9) is
tapered.
4) The laparoscopic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve (9)
comprises of a conduit to perform suction and irrigation through said air gap.
5) The laparoscopic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, further comprises of a terminal
(17) in handle assembly for performing electrocauterization.
6) The laparoscopic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer cap (13)
connects the handle assembly and the connecting actuator (4).
7) The laparoscopic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve (9)
comprises of a conduit (20)- Please mark this in drawings adapted to receive carbon dioxide
gas