DESC:SINGLE-HAND MANEUVERED SURGICAL APPARATUS

BACKGROUND

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to surgical instruments. More particularly, various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to surgical laparoscope equipped for single hand maneuvering.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Minimally invasive surgical procedures are desirable because of the numerous advantages they offer. Few examples of the advantages offered by minimally invasive surgeries include reduced blood loss, reduced post-operative patient discomfort, shortened recovery and hospitalization time, smaller incisions, and reduced exposure of internal organs to possible contaminants. Generally, minimally invasive surgeries are performed by using scopes, such as laparoscopes, that allow remote visualization of a surgical site within a body cavity of a patient while the surgical procedure is being performed. During a laparoscopic procedure, the patient’s body cavity is accessed through one or more relatively small incisions. Surgical scopes, such as laparoscopes, usually consist in part of a rigid or relatively rigid rod or shaft having an objective lens at one end and an eyepiece and/or integrated visual display at the other. The scope may also be connected to a remote visual display device or a video camera to record surgical procedures. The objective lens of the scope may be angled at different orientations (e.g., 25°, 30°, 45°, 50°,
or the like) with respect to an axis of the scope.
Typically, during a laparoscopic surgery, a doctor may be required to rotate the angled objective lens around the scope axis to get better and complete view of the surgical site. However, in the conventional laparoscopes, the doctor is required to use both the hands to maneuver or operate the laparoscope for rotating the angled objective lens. In minimally invasive surgeries, doctors sometimes operate different instruments with two hands; thus, if a device requires both the hands to operate at the same time, the doctor is required to loosen the other device that is held. In some scenarios, such frequent switching between devices may result in accidental displacement of one device, which may cause damage to internal organs of the patient. One solution to this problem is to have another doctor in the surgery to hold the other devices. However, an additional doctor may not always be available, thus posing a limitation on laparoscopic surgeries.
In light of the foregoing, there exists a need for a technical solution that solves the abovementioned problems and enables single hand maneuvering of laparoscopes.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a surgical apparatus equipped for single hand maneuvering is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a longitudinal shaft coupled to an angled objective lens and a camera handle, a light post for illumination, and a maneuvering attachment coupled to the light post. During a laparoscopic procedure, the surgical apparatus is held by a doctor in one hand using the camera handle. Rotation of the angled lens is achieved by rotating the maneuvering attachment by using a thumb of the same hand in which the camera handle is held by the doctor, thus eliminating the requirement of using the second hand for maneuvering the surgical apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the various embodiments of systems, methods, and other aspects of the disclosure. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. In some examples, one element may be designed as multiple elements, or multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example, and not limited by the appended figures, in which like references indicate similar elements:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a conventional laparoscope;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a single-hand maneuvered laparoscope, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of a maneuvering attachment of FIG. 2, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description of exemplary embodiments is intended for illustration purposes only and is, therefore, not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. In one example, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternate and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments that are described and shown.
References to “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “yet another embodiment”, “one example”, “another example”, “yet another example”, “for example”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a surgical apparatus (e.g., a laparoscope) equipped for single hand maneuvering. The laparoscope includes a longitudinal shaft coupled to an angled objective lens and a camera handle, a light post for illumination, and a maneuvering attachment coupled to the light post. During a laparoscopic procedure, the laparoscope is held by a doctor in one hand using the camera handle. Rotation of the angled lens is achieved by rotating the maneuvering attachment by using a thumb of the same hand in which the camera handle is held by the doctor, thus eliminating the requirement of using the second hand for maneuvering the laparoscope.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a conventional laparoscope 100. The laparoscope 100 is used by doctors to perform minimally invasive surgeries. For example, when inserted within a body cavity of a patient during a surgical procedure, the laparoscope 100 enables remote visualization of a surgical site within the body cavity. The laparoscope 100 includes a longitudinal shaft 102 that houses an objective lens 104 at a corresponding distal end 102a and is coupled to a camera handle 106 at a proximal end 102b. The longitudinal shaft 102 further includes a light post 108 that serves as an input point for illumination. The light post 108 is coupled to a first end of a light guide cable 110. Further, a second end of the light guide cable 110 may be coupled to a light source (not shown). The objective lens 104 may be angled at different orientations (e.g., 25°, 30°, 45°, 50°, or the like) with respect to an axis A-A’ of the laparoscope 100.
During a laparoscopic procedure using the laparoscope 100, a patient’s body cavity is accessed by inserting the longitudinal shaft 102 through one or more relatively small incisions. The doctor performing the laparoscopic procedure may hold the camera handle 106 in one hand. Further, in order to get a better and complete view of the surgical site, the doctor may be required to rotate the angled objective lens 104 around the axis A-A’. The doctor may rotate the angled objective lens 104 by rotating the light post 108 around the axis A-A’ using the other hand. Thus, occupying both hands of the doctor for maneuvering the laparoscope 100, which is undesirable.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a laparoscope 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The laparoscope 200 is used by doctors to perform minimally invasive surgeries. For example, when inserted within a body cavity of a patient during a surgical procedure, the laparoscope 200 enables remote visualization of a surgical site within the body cavity.
The laparoscope 200 includes a longitudinal shaft 202 that houses an objective lens 204 at a corresponding distal end 202a and is coupled to a camera handle 206 at a proximal end 202b. The distal end 202a is the farthest point of the laparoscope 200 from a doctor’s access. The longitudinal shaft 202 is coupled to a light post 208 that serves as an input point for illumination, e.g., light. In one embodiment, the light post 208 forms a part of or affixed to the longitudinal shaft 202. In another embodiment, the light post 208 is detachably coupled to the longitudinal shaft 202.
The light post 208 is detachably coupled to a first end of a light guide cable 210 (e.g., a tubular cable assembly that allows light propagation therethrough). Further, a second end of the light guide cable 210 may be detachably coupled to a light source (not shown). The objective lens 204 may be angled at different orientations (e.g., 25°, 30°, 45°, 50°, or the like) with respect to an axis B-B’ of the laparoscope 200. The camera handle 206 may be connected to an imaging device console (e.g., a camera console) by way of cable 212. The imaging device console may include a camera controller and a visual display to render an image of the surgical site formed by the objective lens 204. The camera handle 206 may include a focus ring 214a and a zoom ring 214b. The focus ring 214a is configured to control an optical focus of the imaging device console and the zoom ring 214b is configured to control camera vision of the imaging device console by zoom-in and zoom-out operations.
The laparoscope 200 further includes a maneuvering attachment 216 that enables single hand maneuvering of the laparoscope 200. The maneuvering attachment 216 is coupled to the light post 208. In one embodiment, the maneuvering attachment 216 is affixed to the light post 208. In another embodiment, the maneuvering attachment 216 is detachably coupled to the light post 208. The maneuvering attachment 216 includes a holder assembly 218 that is coupled to the light post 208 such that the light post 208 is surrounded by the holder assembly 218. The maneuvering attachment 216 further includes a rotatory shaft 220 with a thumb rest portion 222 such that the rotatory shaft 220 is coupled to the holder assembly 218. In one embodiment, the rotatory shaft 220 is affixed to the holder assembly 218. In another embodiment, the rotatory shaft 220 is detachably coupled to the holder assembly 218.
During a laparoscopic procedure using the laparoscope 200, a patient’s body cavity is accessed by inserting the longitudinal shaft 202 through one or more relatively small incisions. The doctor performing the laparoscopic procedure may hold the camera handle 206 in one hand. Further, in order to get a better and complete view of the surgical site, the doctor may be required to rotate the angled objective lens 204 around the axis B-B’. The maneuvering attachment 216 aids the doctor in rotating the angled objective lens 204 using the same hand in which the camera handle 206 is held, without requiring the use of the other hand. For example, the doctor may place the thumb of the hand in which the camera handle 206 is held on the thumb rest 222 of the rotatory shaft 220 and rotate the rotatory shaft 220 around the axis B-B’ using thumb movement. Since the rotatory shaft 220 is coupled to the holder assembly 218, which in turn is coupled to the light post 208, any rotatory movement in the rotatory shaft 220 also rotates the holder assembly 218. Rotation of the holder assembly 218 results in a rotation of the light post 208 around the axis B-B’, which results in a rotation of the angled objective lens 204 around the axis B-B’. Hence the doctor is able to maneuver the laparoscope 200 without requiring the use of the second hand, thus freeing up the other hand for other functions.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the maneuvering attachment 216, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, FIG. 3 shows the maneuvering attachment 216 that could be detachably coupled to the light post 208. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that a design of the maneuvering attachment 216 may be modified to affix the maneuvering attachment 216 to the light post 208.
The holder assembly 218 is formed by coupling two brackets 302a and 302b by way of screws 304a and 304b. In another embodiment, the brackets 302a and 302b may be coupled by other means known in the art, for example, detachable adhesives, or the like. When the two brackets 302a and 302b are coupled together, a cavity 306 is formed therebetween. The light post 208 is surrounded within the cavity 306 when the two brackets 302a and 302b are placed around the light post 208. For the sake of brevity, the two brackets 302a and 302b are shown to be rectangular and the cavity 306 is shown to be circular. However, a person ordinary skilled in the art will understand that the brackets 302a and 302b may be of any shape, for example, U-shaped, C-shaped, or the like, and the shape of the cavity 306 may be modified in accordance with a shape of the light post 208. In one embodiment, an internal side of the brackets 302a and 302b that comes in contact with the light post 208 may have a soft padding to prevent any physical damage to the light post 208.
The brackets 302a and 302b include first and second openings 308a and 308b. The rotatory shaft 220 may be inserted in one of the first and second openings 308a and 308b for coupling to the holder assembly 218. The insertion of the rotatory shaft 220 in one of the first and second openings 308a and 308b is based on achieving left-hand or right-hand operations. For example, if the doctor is using the right-hand to hold the camera handle 206, the rotatory shaft 220 may be inserted in the first opening 308a, and if the doctor is using the left-hand to hold the camera handle 206, the rotatory shaft 220 may be inserted in the second opening 308b.
FIG. 4 is an assembly view of the maneuvering attachment 216, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, FIG. 4 shows a maneuvering attachment 416 that could be detachably coupled to the light post 208. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that a design of the maneuvering attachment 416 may be modified to affix the maneuvering attachment 416 to the light post 208.
In this embodiment, the holder assembly 218 of FIG. 2 is formed by coupling two brackets 402a and 402b by way of screws (Not shown. Similar to the screws 304a and 304b of FIG. 3). In another embodiment, the brackets 402a and 402b may be coupled by other means known in the art, for example, detachable adhesives, or the like. When the two brackets 402a and 402b are coupled together, a cavity 406 is formed therebetween. The light post 208 is surrounded within the cavity 406 when the two brackets 402a and 402b are placed around the light post 208. For the sake of brevity, the two brackets 402a and 402b are shown to be rectangular and the cavity 406 is shown to be circular. However, a person ordinary skilled in the art will understand that the brackets 402a and 402b may be of any shape, for example, U-shaped, C-shaped, or the like, and the shape of the cavity 406 may be modified in accordance with a shape of the light post 208. In one embodiment, an internal side of the brackets 402a and 402b that comes in contact with the light post 208 may have a soft padding to prevent any physical damage to the light post 208.
In the present embodiment, the shape of rotatory shaft 220 is modified and disclosed as a rotatory shaft 420. The rotatory shaft 420 is a Z-bar shaped shaft. However, a person ordinary skilled in the art will understand that the rotatory shaft 420 may be of any shape that serves the objective of the rotatory shaft 420 of the present embodiment. The rotatory shaft 420 has a short leg 424 and a long leg 426. The short leg 424 has a slot in shape of a long slot 428 and the long leg 426 is twisted by a right angle with respect to the plane of short leg 424. The twisted part of long leg 426 serves as the thumb rest 222.
An extension 432 is coupled to the bracket 402b. The extension 432 has a flat surface at a top side. An adjusting screw 430 is coupled on the top surface of the extension 432.
The rotatory shaft 420 may be detachably attached to the holder assembly 218 at the long slot 428 via the adjusting screw 430. A person ordinary skilled in the art may use a plug that serves the objective of the adjusting screw 430 of the present embodiment. The present embodiment makes a functional length of the rotatory shaft adjustable for an ease of user. The fixing position of the adjusting screw 430 at the long slot 428 can be set based on shape and size of the hand or preference of the operating doctor. Therefore, the functional length of the rotatory shaft 420 is adjustable based on the fixing position of the adjusting screw 430. The fixing position may be selected by moving the rotatory shaft 420 in a forward or backward direction with respect to the holder assembly 218. After selection, the adjusting screw 430 may be fastened to fix the rotatory shaft at the selected position.
Technical improvements in the surgical apparatus (i.e., the laparoscope 200) have enabled single-hand maneuvering of the laparoscope 200, thereby eliminating the need for the doctor to use both hands to rotate the angled objective lens 204 around the axis B-B’.
Techniques consistent with the present disclosure provide, among other features, single-hand maneuvered surgical apparatus. While various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed system have been described above it should be understood that they have been presented for purposes of example only, not limitations. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing of the disclosure, without departing from the breadth or scope.
While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous design modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A surgical apparatus (200) for invasive surgery, the apparatus comprising:
a hollow shaft (202) comprising an objective lens (204) at a distal end (202a) of the apparatus (200);
a camera handle (206) arranged to be held in a hand of a user, the camera handle (206) is longitudinally coupled to the hollow shaft (202) at a proximal end (202b);
a light post (208) attached to the hollow shaft (202), and
a maneuvering attachment (216) coupled to the light post (208), comprising
a holder assembly (218) surrounding the light post (208), and
a rotatory shaft (220) coupled to the holder assembly (218) at a first end portion and extended as a thumb rest (222) at a second end portion to place a thumb of the hand holding the camera handle (206),
charactorised in that the rotatory shaft (220) is configured to rotate around a reference axis based on a movement on the thumb rest (222) via the thumb.
2. The surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the objective lens (204) is configured to be placed at an angle with respect to the reference axis.
3. The surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal end (202a) is a farthest point of the apparatus (200) from the user’s access.
4. The surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotatory shaft (220) is detachably coupled to the holder assembly (218).
5. The surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the holder assembly (218) is configured to rotate in proportion to a rotation of the rotatory shaft (220).
6. The surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the objective lens (204) is configured to rotate around the reference axis based on rotation of the holder assembly (218).
7. The surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light post (208) is detachably attached to the hollow shaft (202).
8. The surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the maneuvering attachment (216) is detachably coupled to the light post (208).
9. The surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a functional length of the rotatory shaft (420) is adjustable based on a directional movement of the rotatory shaft (420) with respect to the maneuvering attachment (416).
10. A maneuvering attachment (216) for a surgical apparatus (200), the maneuvering attachment, comprising:
a holder assembly (218) to detachably couple the maneuvering attachment (216) with the surgical apparatus, and
a rotatory shaft (220) coupled to the holder assembly (218) at a first end portion and extended as a thumb rest (222) at a second end portion to place a thumb of a hand holding the surgical apparatus,
charactorised in that the rotatory shaft (220) is configured to rotate around a reference axis based on a movement on the thumb rest (222) via the thumb.