Method and apparatus for anchoring laparoscopic instruments

Abstract

A balloon anchor provides for the anchoring of a surgical instrument, such as conventional trocar sheath, within a puncture opening formed by a trocar. When used on a trocar sheath, the anchor is secured to the smooth outer surface of the sheath for extension through the puncture opening as the trocar within the sheath forms the opening. Adhesive or mechanical means are provided to secure the balloon the instrument. No modification to the structure of the instrument is required. Once in place within the opening, the balloon is inflated to the interior of the tissue to anchor the instrument in place. Certain embodiments also provide for inflation of the balloon within and/or to the exterior of the opening.

1 - 58 . (canceled)  
   
   
       59 . An improved system for anchoring an instrument to limit its movement through a puncture opening in a tissue wall, said system comprising an anchor adapted to extend around the instrument for longitudinal movement relative thereto, said anchor having an expansible chamber which may be selectively inflated to securely engage the instrument.  
   
   
       60 . An improved anchoring system according to  claim 59 , wherein the anchor comprises a toroidal balloon having an inside formed from an elastomeric film material and an outside formed from a flexible generally inelastic film material.  
   
   
       61 . An improved anchoring system according to  claim 59 , wherein the anchor comprises an elongate flexible member which may be wrapped around the instrument and secured in a generally toroidal configuration.  
   
   
       62 . An improved anchoring system according to  claim 60 , wherein the anchor is comprised of first and second flexible films peripherally joined to provide the expansible chamber.  
   
   
       63 . An improved anchoring system according to  claim 62 , wherein the first flexible film is elastomeric and disposed to face inwardly in opposition to an instrument around which the anchor extends and the second film is generally inelastic and disposed outside of the first film.  
   
   
       64 . A balloon system for anchoring a surgical instrument in place, the balloon system comprising: 
 a self-contained elongate balloon defining at least one elongate inflatable chamber, wherein the at least one elongate inflatable chamber is configured and dimensioned to extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the surgical instrument;    securing structure operatively engaged with an outer surface of the balloon for attaching the balloon system to an outer surface of the surgical instrument; and    a conduit for selectively inflating the sealed inflatable chamber.    
   
   
       65 . The balloon system according to  claim 64 , wherein the elongate balloon has a low profile when in a non-inflated condition which is closely adjacent the outer surface of the surgical instrument and an anchoring profile when in an inflated condition which extends radially asymmetrically from the surgical instrument.  
   
   
       66 . The balloon system according to  claim 65 , wherein the elongate balloon includes an enlarged chamber formed at a distal end thereof, wherein the enlarged chamber extends radially asymmetrically from the surgical instrument when the inflatable chamber is inflated.  
   
   
       67 . The balloon system according to  claim 65 , wherein the elongate balloon includes a first enlarged chamber formed at a distal end thereof and a second enlarged chamber formed at a location proximal of the first enlarged chamber, wherein the enlarged first and second chambers extend radially asymmetrically from the surgical instrument when the inflatable chamber is inflated.  
   
   
       68 . The balloon system according to  claim 66 , wherein the elongate balloon further defines an anchoring chamber extending substantially parallel with the elongate inflatable chamber, wherein the anchoring chamber has a low profile which is closely adjacent to the outer surface of the surgical instrument when in a non-inflated condition and an anchoring profile which extends radially asymmetrically from the surgical instrument when in an inflated condition.  
   
   
       69 . The balloon system according to  claim 68 , further comprising a conduit for selectively inflating the anchoring balloon.  
   
   
       70 . The balloon system according to  claim 68 , wherein the anchoring chamber has a divergent configuration.  
   
   
       71 . The balloon system according to  claim 64 , wherein the securing structure is a contact adhesive.  
   
   
       72 . The balloon system according to  claim 66 , wherein the securing structure includes a patch adhered to and extending over the elongate inflatable chamber, the patch being configured and dimensioned to extend beyond the perimeteral edge of the elongate inflatable chamber such that the perimeteral edges of the patch adhere to the outer surface of the surgical instrument.  
   
   
       73 . The balloon system according to  claim 72 , wherein the patch includes a perforated tear line formed therein at a location which overlies the enlarged chamber.  
   
   
       74 . The balloon system according to  claim 73 , further comprising a spacer extending longitudinally through the elongate inflatable chamber.  
   
   
       75 . The balloon system according to  claim 65 , wherein the elongate inflatable chamber includes a pair of anchor members formed at a distal end thereof, wherein the anchor members have a non-inflated condition in which the anchors overlie the elongate inflatable chamber and an inflated condition in which the anchors extend laterally outward from the elongate inflatable chamber.  
   
   
       76 . The balloon system according to  claim 64 , further including a toroidal balloon assembly defining an aperture, the toroidal balloon assembly being configured and adapted to be slidably received around the elongate balloon and the surgical instrument, the toroidal balloon assembly having a deflated condition permitting movement of the elongate balloon and the surgical instrument through the aperture and an inflated condition inhibiting movement of the elongate balloon and the surgical instrument through the aperture.  
   
   
       77 . A balloon system for anchoring a surgical instrument in place, the balloon system comprising: 
 an elongate toroidal balloon operatively engageable with the surgical instrument;    a conduit for selectively inflating the balloon, the conduit including a portion extending proximally along the outer surface of the surgical instrument; and    securing structure configured and adapted to allow a central portion of the balloon to press against the surgical instrument to anchor the balloon to the surgical instrument and to allow a distal portion and a proximal portion of the balloon to radially expand upon inflation of the balloon.    
   
   
       78 . The balloon system according to  claim 77 , wherein the securing structure includes: 
 a proximal ring configured and dimensioned to permit passage of the surgical instrument therethrough, wherein a proximal end of the balloon is circumferentially secured to an outer surface of the proximal ring;    a distal ring configured and dimensioned to permit passage of the surgical instrument therethrough, wherein a distal end of the balloon is circumferentially secured to an outer surface of the distal ring; and    an intermediate ring configured and dimensioned to permit passage of the proximal and distal rings therethrough, wherein the intermediate ring is positioned circumferentially about the proximal and distal rings.    
   
   
       79 . The balloon system according to  claim 77 , wherein the securing structure includes an inelastic sleeve extending over the balloon, the inelastic sleeve being circumferentially welded near a distal end of the balloon and including a perforated tear line from the weld to a distal edge of the inelastic sleeve.  
   
   
       80 . A balloon system for anchoring a surgical instrument in place, the balloon system comprising: 
 a self contained elongate balloon defining an elongate inflatable chamber, wherein the elongate inflatable chamber is configured and dimensioned to extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the surgical instrument;    securing structure operatively engaged with an outer surface of the elongate balloon for attaching the balloon system to an outer surface of the surgical instrument;    an inflatable toroidal balloon system operatively engageable with the expandable balloon and the trocar sheath, the inflatable toroidal balloon system including: 
 an elongate tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end, the tubular body defining an inflatable chamber, wherein the distal end and the proximal end are securable to one another to define an aperture of the toroidal balloon system; and  
   a conduit in fluid engagement with one of the proximal and distal ends of the tubular body for delivering a fluid to the inflatable chamber of the tubular body.    
   
   
       81 . The balloon system according to  claim 80 , wherein the distal end and the proximal end of the tubular body are adhesively secured to one another.  
   
   
       82 . The balloon system according to  claim 80 , wherein only one of a proximal portion and a distal portion of the tubular body is inflatable.  
   
   
       83 . The balloon system according to  claim 80 , wherein the inflatable toroidal balloon is integrally connected to the elongate balloon.  
   
   
       84 . The balloon system according to  claim 83 , wherein the inflatable toroidal balloon is integrally connected to the elongate balloon via a flexible interconnecting web, wherein the web permits the toroidal balloon to be placed over the elongate balloon.  
   
   
       85 . The balloon system according to  claim 84 , wherein one of the proximal end and the distal end is provided with an aperture formed therein, wherein the conduit of the toroidal balloon is passed through the aperture formed at the end of the tubular body in order to define the aperture of the toroidal balloon.  
   
   
       86 . A balloon system for anchoring a surgical instrument in place, the balloon system comprising: 
 a first layer;    a second layer peripherally bonded to the first layer to thereby define a sealed inflatable chamber, wherein the sealed inflatable chamber is configured and dimensioned to extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the surgical instrument;    securing structure for attaching the balloon system to an outer surface of the surgical instrument; and    a conduit for selectively inflating the sealed inflatable chamber.