Surgical instrument positioning system and method of use

Abstract

A positioning system for use during surgical procedures comprising a belt assembly adapted to be positioned about a bodily surface of a patient. The belt assembly may comprise a single module, or a first module adapted to be attached to a second module. The modules may be adapted to permit attachment of a surgical instrument thereto. The modules may also include cushioned undersides. The system may also comprise a surgical instrument retention system including a saddle adapted to be positioned on a surgical instrument, straps adapted to secure the saddle to the surgical instrument, and a pulley cord coupled to the saddle so as to selectively position the surgical instrument upon movement of the pulley cord. The modules may also include an accessory adapted to fit securely within shaped openings formed therein. The accessory may comprise a base having a locking apparatus for locking a medical device to the base.

1 . A positioning system for use during surgical procedures, said positioning system comprising a belt assembly adapted to be positioned about a bodily surface of a patient, said belt assembly having a first module adapted to be attached to a second module, wherein at least one of said modules is adapted to permit attachment of a surgical instrument thereto.  
     
     
         2 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first module has a major axis extending across the bodily surface in a first direction and said second module has a major axis extending along said bodily surface in a second direction.  
     
     
         3 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said first direction is perpendicular to said second direction.  
     
     
         4 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first module and said second module each include fingered portions extending therefrom, said fingered portions including apertures therethrough, wherein said fingered portions of said first module are interdigitalized with said fingered portions of said second module so as to form a hinge with said apertures in alignment, said hinge being secured by a pin extending through said apertures.  
     
     
         5 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said pin comprises an elongate shaft having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said apertures and a head having a surface larger than the diameter of said apertures such that said head will not fit within said apertures.  
     
     
         6 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising securement straps for securing said positioning system to an operating table during the surgical procedure, said securement straps having first ends attached to said positioning system and second ends attached to said operating table.  
     
     
         7 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said securement straps further comprise buckles to permit said securement straps to be tightened such that said positioning system may be held closely against the patient.  
     
     
         8 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 6 , wherein each of said first module and said second module includes one securement strap attached thereto.  
     
     
         9 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a surgical instrument having a distal end insertable into an opening in the patient to engage an internal vessel and an attachment mechanism for attachment of said surgical instrument to said belt assembly to allow said distal end of said instrument to be maintained in a desired position engaging the internal vessel during the surgical procedure.  
     
     
         10 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a surgical instrument is attached to the positioning system by a surgical instrument retention system, said surgical instrument retention system comprising a saddle positioned on the surgical instrument, straps securing said saddle to said surgical instrument, and a pulley cord in communication with said saddle so as to selectively position the surgical instrument upon movement of said pulley cord.  
     
     
         11 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said belt assembly further comprises an element for securing said pulley cords in a desired position, each of said elements including a V-shaped notch wherein said pulley cord may be frictionally retained.  
     
     
         12 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said saddle includes a first portion, a second portion, and a walled portion therebetween, said pulley cord being secured within with said walled portion.  
     
     
         13 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said belt assembly further comprises a height adjustment module for adjusting the height of the surgical instrument above the level of said belt assembly, said height adjustment module including at least one groove for insertion of the surgical instrument therein.  
     
     
         14 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said height adjustment module includes a plurality of U-shaped grooves, at least two of said U-shaped grooves being formed to different heights.  
     
     
         15 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said height adjustment module is slideably engaged upon said belt assembly so as to be moveable to a plurality of positions.  
     
     
         16 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument is attached to one of said modules by a wrap adapted to be engaged about said surgical instrument, wherein said wrap comprises a first side and a second side, said first side having a portion covered with hook and loop type fasteners and a remaining portion, said second side having a portion covered with corresponding hook and loop type fasteners such that when said wrap is placed around said surgical instrument, said hook and loop type fasteners will engage with said corresponding hook and loop type fasteners to secure said surgical instrument within said wrap.  
     
     
         17 . The positioning system claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said remaining portion of said first side of said wrap is covered with a rubberized material such that said rubberized material engages with said surgical instrument when said wrap is fastened to prevent rotation of the surgical instrument relative to said wrap.  
     
     
         18 . The positioning system of  claim 1 , wherein said first module includes a cushioned underbelly in contact with the patient.  
     
     
         19 . A method of securing a surgical instrument for use during surgical procedures in which an opening is formed in a patient, said method comprising: 
 inserting a distal portion of the surgical instrument into the opening formed in the patient;    strapping a saddle to a proximal portion of the surgical instrument so rotation of the surgical instrument relative to the saddle is inhibited;    securing the saddle to a belt assembly positioned on a bodily surface of the patient by attaching a pulley cord secured to the saddle to the belt assembly.    
     
     
         20 . The method of securing a surgical instrument claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said method further comprises positioning a medial portion of the surgical instrument upon a height adjustment module in communication with the belt assembly to further stabilize the surgical instrument and elevate the proximal portion of the surgical instrument above the belt assembly.  
     
     
         21 . The method of securing the surgical instrument claimed in  claim 20 , wherein said method further comprises strapping the belt assembly to a surgical table upon which the patient lies.