Patent Application
20210100540
The present disclosure relates to tissue specimen retrieval from an internal body cavity and, more particularly, to specimen retrieval or specimen containment bags that facilitate retrieval of a tissue specimen from an internal body cavity.
In minimally-invasive surgical procedures, operations are carried out within an internal body cavity through small entrance openings in the body. The entrance openings may be natural passageways of the body or may be surgically created, for example, by making a small incision into which an access device is inserted.
Minimally-invasive surgical procedures may be used for partial or total retrieval of a tissue specimen from an internal body cavity. However, the restricted access provided by minimally-invasive openings (natural passageways and/or surgically created openings) presents challenges with respect to maneuverability and visualization. The restricted access also presents challenges when the tissue specimen is required to be removed. As such, a tissue specimen that is deemed too large for intact retrieval may be broken down into a plurality of smaller pieces to facilitate retrieval from the internal body cavity.
During such minimally-invasive surgical procedures, it is common that a cyst, tumor, or other affected tissue specimen is required to be removed. In these and other procedures where cancerous tissue is required to be removed, retrieval of the tissue specimen in an enclosed environment such as a specimen retrieval bag or containment bag is highly desirable to inhibit seeding of cancer cells. Thus, with respect to breaking down large tissue specimens for retrieval through minimally-invasive openings, there is the added challenge of doing so within an enclosed environment.
In these instances, a standalone tissue bag may be utilized to contain large tissue specimens such as a uterus for hysterectomies or fibroids for myomectomies. The specimen retrieval bag or containment bag typically includes a bag brim having a flexible wire support that is transitionable between a first collapsed configuration for insertion through an incision or natural body orifice and a second expanded configuration for encapsulating tissue specimens. The bag brim, once externalized, may be manipulated or rolled to enhance surgical access to the tissue specimen or “tent” the specimen as needed.
As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that is described which is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is being described which is closer to a user. The terms “substantially” and “approximately,” as utilized herein, account for industry-accepted material, manufacturing, measurement, use, and/or environmental tolerances. Further, any or all of the aspects and features described herein, to the extent consistent, may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects and features described herein.
In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is a tissue specimen retrieval bag assembly that includes a tissue specimen bag having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, the proximal end including a cuff defined therein and extending therearound. A flexible bag brim is included and is disposed within the cuff and is transitionable between a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded configuration. The flexible bag brim includes a cross section configured to facilitate both furling the tissue specimen bag onto itself around the bag brim when the bag brim is disposed in the second, expanded configuration and securing the tissue specimen bag in a desired furled configuration.
In aspects according to the present disclosure, the cross section includes a D-shaped cross section. In other aspects according to the present disclosure, the cross section includes a triangular cross section. The triangular cross section may include three sides, each of the three sides covered with a high friction material to facilitate gripping the tissue specimen bag when furling.
In still other aspects according to the present disclosure, the cross section includes a trilobular-shaped cross section. The trilobular-shaped cross section may include three edges defining three concave sections therebetween, the edges are configured to facilitate gripping the tissue specimen bag when furling.
In other aspects according to the present disclosure, the cross section includes a D-shaped cross section including a flat side and an arcuate side, one or both of the sides including a high friction material to facilitate gripping the tissue specimen bag when furling.
In still other aspects according to the present disclosure, the tissue specimen bag is made from nylon or polyurethane.
In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure is a tissue specimen retrieval bag assembly that includes a tissue specimen bag having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, the proximal end including a cuff defined therein and extending therearound. A flexible bag brim is disposed within the cuff and includes a pair of flexible wires separated by one or more connectors. The pair of wires is transitionable between a first, collapsed configuration and a second, expanded, loop-like configuration. The connector(s) is configured to space the wires relative to one another along the length of the bag brim. The pair of wires and the connector(s) are configured to facilitate both furling the tissue specimen bag onto itself around the bag brim when the bag brim is disposed in the second, expanded, loop-like configuration and securing the tissue specimen bag in a desired furled configuration.
In other aspects according to the present disclosure, the pair of wires is made from a shape memory alloy. In yet other aspects according to the present disclosure, the shape memory alloy includes a nickel-titanium alloy or a copper-aluminum-nickel.
The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent in view of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements.
Turning initially to
Bag rim 30 is configured to be flexible such that the bag brim 30 is easily transitionable between a first, collapsed configuration wherein the bag 12 is furled (as explained below) and a second, expanded configuration which allows the bag 12 to be unfurled for receipt of a tissue specimen “T”. As such, bag brim 30 may be made from any flexible material that is easily expandable from a collapsed configuration. Bag 12 may include any suitable rollable material such as nylon, polyurethane, etc.
Turning now to
The generally triangular shape of the bag brim 30 allows the bag 12 to roll or furl around itself which, in turn, allows a surgeon to tent (i.e., position) the tissue specimen “T” closer to the proximal end of the operating cavity as needed for dissection. More particularly, the geometry of the sides 32a, 32b and 32c of the bag brim 30 facilitate furling/unfurling the bag 12 as needed and securing the bag 12 in a desired furled position. Bag 12 may be furled either inwardly or outwardly depending upon a particular purpose.
In use, the specimen “T” is placed into the specimen bag 12 through opening 20. The weight of the specimen “T” causes the specimen “T” to fall to toward the distal end 16 of the bag 12. The proximal end 14 of the bag 12 and the circularly-shaped bag brim 30 maintain the proximal end 14 the bag 12 outside the operating cavity (See for example,
In use and much like the embodiments shown in
The wires 232a, 232b may be made of any know wire that is flexible such that the bag brim 230 is easily transitionable between a first collapsed configuration wherein the bag 212 is furled and a second expanded configuration which allows the bag 212 to be unfurled for receipt of a tissue specimen “T”, e.g., a shape memory alloy (SMA) such as nickel-titanium alloy commonly sold under the tradename Nitinol® or copper-aluminum-nickel. Bag 212 may include any suitable rollable material such as nylon, polyurethane, etc.
More particularly, and as best shown in
From the foregoing and with reference to the various drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
