Abstract:
A method of laparoscopic (or robotic) surgery, using a hand-port, comprising providing a trocar port operably disposed within a first abdominal incision opening of a patient, providing a hand-port operably disposed within a second abdominal incision opening, introducing an elongate positioner dimensioned to extend through the trocar, introducing a spatulate element through the hand port and joining the spatulate element to the positioner. The procedure further comprises removing an internal organ or other tissue from the operating area in order to make room and add visibility for the laparoscopic intervention, detaching the spatulate element from the positioner, and withdrawing the positioner through the trocar port and the spatulate through the hand port.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Applications for Patent No. 60/776,542 filed on 25 Feb. 2006. 
     
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to paintball marking guns, marking gun regulators and propellant tanks. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Paintball marking guns are used in a variety of targeting and simulated battle games (e.g., capture the flag). These guns launch a ball of paint with a frangible shell that is designed to hold the ball shape until striking an object after firing. Upon striking the object, the ball is set to break open leaving a paint spot. 
         [0004]    Paintball guns typically employ a firing system powered by compressed gas such as air. Compressed air is supplied from a canister which is mounted to or carried with the gun. The gun systems also include a gun body, a paintball hopper and one or more pressure regulators which receive gas from the tank at a relatively high pressure and deliver gas at a reduced, more consistent pressure to the gun body for propelling the paintball. 
         [0005]    The pressure regulators are modular and typically include at least two major components interconnected with threaded portions. One well-accepted type of gun system design calls for a pressure regulator to be threaded directly into the supply canister (i.e., tank) at one end and threaded into a receptacle mounted to the gun grip at the other end. 
         [0006]    Although modular paintball regulator designs are preferred for performance and maintenance, it is a concern that paintball regulator parts may be inadvertently separated when a paintball player attempts to remove the regulator-tank combination from the paintball gun. If such parts are disassembled before the canister is discharged, the ultimate separation can be violent and therefore unsafe. 
         [0007]    Separate from the safety issues are concerns about delay and thread wear. Paintball players often prefer to use the same gun with different tank-regulator combinations in the same tournament or round of play. Likewise, players may wish to have a fresh charge of propellant without refilling by swapping in a new filled propellant tank. Finally, frequent assembly and disassembly at the threaded connections between among the tanks, regulators and gun-mounted receptacles causes damaging 
         [0008]    Paintball guns include pneumatic designs where compressed gas is being used to power those guns and expell paintball. The gas from the gas tank is received at relatively high pressure to the regulator which delivers gas to the paintball gun at reduced more consistent pressure. The most popular mounting method of the regulator to the gun is an ASA threaded connection, where the regulator includes a male threaded end with sealing rings and a check valve with a valve pin ready to be pushed to open gas flow, and a the female threaded receptacle mounted on the paintball gun with sealing land to provide sealed connection with the regulator. The extending pin located inside the ASA receptacle pushes the check valve pin to the open position during the mounting process. The sequence of events while connecting regulator to the gun is such: the regulator is screwed into the gun&#39;s adapter, and then during this process a sealed connecting is created between the regulator and the gun input receptacle, the extending pin located inside the adapter will start pushing on the check valve pin and subsequently open compressed gas flow from the pressure regulator to the gun. 
         [0009]    A disadvantage of this type connection is that opening for the gas flow is provided before the regulator is fully secured and received into the adapter. This early opening can be a problem when a charged tank is being connected to a gun. As soon as slight channel for gas flow is provided, gas exerts pressure and therefore creates resistance between the components. More specifically, opposing forces are exerted on the face of the regulator and on internal surface of the adapter. In case of tank gas pressure of 850 psi, the force on a given component can be as much as 320 lbs. After the small gas flow channel is first created, additional turns are needed for the check valve to be fully open and therefore provide a proper full-flow channel to power the paintball gun. Those few additional turns under pressure have an especially adverse effect on the micro-finish of the thread surface. Frequent mounting and unmounting cycles lead to a distortion of the threads to the point of a friction welding phenomenon, especially when both connecting parts are made of aluminum. Utilization of aluminum as a choice of material is due to a light weight which is an important factor for a paintball players. 
         [0010]    The above described friction welding problem can contribute to safety risks during disassembly of the main parts of the regulator (see  FIG. 1 ). since the regulator piston housing becomes friction welded to the adapter at the thread connection, the two main parts of the regulator (i.e., piston housing and main body) are more likely to be inadvertently disassembled when the user continues forcing the process of unscrewing. 
         [0011]    What is needed is a paintball gun system which provides a safer, faster and/or more reliable interconnection among the tank, regulator and gun receptacle/input components. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention is embodied in a paintball gun system comprising a gun body and a propellant tank interconnected by a quick-change coupling. The quick-change coupling partially defines a fluid pathway between the tank and the gun body in that it is included in a sequence of components from the tank to a pneumatic circuit in the paintball gun body. The quick-change coupling includes a gun-side fitting and a tank-side fitting. The gun-side fitting is in communication with the gun body at one end and terminates in an opposite open-end configured for sealed engagement of the tank-side fitting. The tank-side fitting being is in communication with the tank and has an opposite open end for sealed engagement of the gun-side fitting. Each fitting has complementary interlocking contours. 
         [0013]    When the gun side fitting and the tank side fitting are coupled, tangs located on the tank side fitting prevent accidental disassembly. The sequence for interconnecting both fittings of the quick coupling is such: first, dogs located in the tank side fitting are aligned angularly with the notches formed in the gun side fitting, than the tank side fitting is pushed into and rotated until the stop is hit and dogs pass the tangs. The final stage of assembly is reached when the spring or pressure from the gas tank biases both fittings away from each other. 
         [0014]    In one embodiments the paintball gun system includes a pressure regulator operably connected between the tank and the gun body and the tank-side fitting is implemented as a portion of the regulator. 
         [0015]    In an alternate embodiment, the paintball gun system includes a pressure regulator operably connected between the tank and the gun body. In this embodiment, the regulator has opposing threaded portions and the quick change assembly is implemented as adapter insert between the regulator and the paintball gun body. More specifically, the gun-side fitting and the tank-side fitting are opposing portions of the adapter insert each fitting has a threaded portion and an opposing quick change portion. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the regulator is omitted as in CO2 type gun system. Such paintball gun systems include an adapter insert operably connected between the tank and the gun body. The gun-side fitting and the tank-side fitting are opposing portions of the adapter insert. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    In the accompanying drawings that form part of the specification, 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a regulator, pressure tank and the paintball gun grip connection portion of a prior art gun system  100  illustrating a damaged (friction welded) thread  112  on the regulator adapter connection in partial cross section which resulted in disassembly of the main parts ( 114  and  116 ) of the regulator; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is side elevation view of a paintball gun system according to the present invention including a regulator interconnected between the gun body and the tank; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged section view of the check valve portion of the fluid pathway of  FIG. 2  shown in a closed position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which a check valve assembly is interconnected between the tank and the gun body but a regulator is not required (such as a CO2 system); 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a gun system according to the present invention in which an on-off subassembly is provided as a part of the regulator shown in the flow-off position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-section view of the on-off subassembly shown in the flow-on position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a gun system according to the present invention in which the tank-side fitting of the quick-change coupling is an insert equipped with an internal check-valve (not separately shown); 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a gun system according to the present invention in which the tank-side fitting of the quick-change coupling is an insert equipped with an on-off valve; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a gun system according to the present invention in which the gun-side fitting of the quick-change coupling is an insert; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a gun system according to the present invention in which the tank-side fitting of the quick-change coupling is an insert equipped with an internal check-valve (not separately shown). 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only preferred forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however. The scope of the invention is identified in the appended claims. 
         [0029]    This invention relates to a gas pressure regulator or CO2 tank and more particularly to a gas pressure regulator or CO2 tank that employs a user friendly quick disconnect coupling system. An objective of the present invention herein is to provide a paintball gun system with a safer method of interconnecting pressure regulator or CO2 tank with paintball gun. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a paintball gun system  10  is shown with a gun body  12 , a propellant tank  14 , and a quick change coupling  16 . Gun body  12  and propellant tank  14  are interconnected by a quick-change coupling  16  that partially defines a fluid pathway  18  from tank  14  to gun body  12 . Quick-change coupling  16  includes a gun-side fitting  20  and a tank-side fitting  22 . Gun-side fitting  20  is mounted to gun body  12  at grip  24  and terminates in an open-end  26  configured for sealed engagement of tank-side fitting  28 . Tank-side fitting  22  is in communication with tank  14  and has an opposite open end  28  for sealed engagement of gun-side fitting  20 . 
         [0031]    As used herein, the term fitting is a reference to a separate part, collection of parts or an open portion of another component which is configured for mechanically, removably interconnecting and defining a confined flow passageway between fittings when connected. 
         [0032]    Each fitting  20  and  22  of coupling  16  has complementary interlocking contours. The complementary interlocking contours preferably take the form of one or more dogs  30  on a nipple portion  32  of tank-side fitting  22  and notches  34  on a cap portion  36  of gun-side fitting  20  configured to receive dogs  30 . Gun-side fitting  20  has an inlet port  38  in communication with fluid pathway  18  and therefore pneumatic circuit  40  of gun body  12 . The contour of notches  34  preferably includes an entry portion  40 , a rotation portion (not separately identified) and a locking-portion  42 . The locking portion includes stops  44  on opposite sides of dogs  30 . 
         [0033]    In an alternate embodiment, dogs  30  are tapered and the contour of notches  34  is relatively linear such that gun-side fitting  20  and tank-side fitting  22  are drawn together in response to counter-rotation (i.e., rotating one fitting respect to the other or counter-rotating both fittings). 
         [0034]    Tanks-side fitting  22  is present on a distal end portion of a regulator  44 . A check valve  46  is operably disposed within fluid pathway  18 . More specifically check valve  46  is provided in regulator  44  to block release of compressed gas from tank  14  when the tank  14 -regulator- 44  subassembly is disconnected from gun side fitting  20 . Check valve  46  is spring biased towards gun side fitting  20  such that a valve pin  48  is offset into an open position when the coupling  16  is engaged.  FIG. 3  is an enlarged, schematic cross section of valve  42  in a closed position. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is an alternate embodiment of the present invention for a gun system in which a regulator is not required at the tank outlet. Paintball gun system  210  includes a gun body  212 , a propellant tank  214 , and a quick change coupling  216 . Gun body  212  and propellant tank  214  are interconnected by a quick-change coupling  216  that partially defines a fluid pathway  218  from tank  214  to gun body  212 . Quick-change coupling  216  includes a gun-side fitting  220  and a tank-side fitting  222 . Gun-side fitting  220  is mounted to gun body  212  at grip  224  and terminates in an open-end  226  configured for sealed engagement of tank-side fitting  228 . Tank-side fitting  222  is in communication with tank  214  and has an opposite open end  228  for sealed engagement of gun-side fitting  220 . 
         [0036]    Each fitting  220  and  222  of coupling  16  has complementary interlocking contours. The complementary interlocking contours preferably take the form of one or more dogs  230  on a nipple portion  232  of tank-side fitting  222  and notches  234  on a cap portion  236  of gun-side fitting  220  configured to receive dogs  230 . Gun-side fitting  220  has an inlet port  238  in communication with fluid pathway  218  and therefore pneumatic circuit  240  of gun body  212 . The contour of notches  234  preferably includes an entry portion  240 , a rotation portion (not separately identified) and a locking-portion  242 . The locking portion includes stops  244  on opposite sides of dogs  230 . 
         [0037]    Tanks-side fitting  222  is present on a distal end portion of a check valve component  245 . A check valve  246  is operably disposed within fluid pathway  218 . More specifically, check valve  246  is provided in a separate component  245  to block release of compressed gas from tank  214  when the tank  214 -check valve component- 245  subassembly is disconnected from gun side fitting  220 . Check valve  246  is spring biased towards gun side fitting  220  such that a valve pin  248  is offset into an open position when the coupling  216  is engaged. 
         [0038]    The alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , gun system  310 , includes a sliding on-off mechanism  352  between tank  314  and quick-change coupling  316 . More specifically, on-off mechanism  352  is provided on regulator  344  together with a distal tank-side fitting  322 . On-off mechanism  352  includes venting via radial channels  354 . Further details of the sliding on-off mechanism are provided in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/737,468 to Gabrel, filed the specification and drawings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. An advantage of gun system  310  is that gas pressure can be substantially relieved from coupling  316  during connection and separation because gas flow from tank  344  is blocked and gas from the gun-side is vented when mechanism  352  is in the off position.  FIG. 5  shows mechanism  352  in the off position and  FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross section of mechanism  352  in the open or on position. 
         [0039]    In the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , gun system  410 , the tank-side fitting  422  of quick coupling  416  takes the form of an insert  421  with a quick coupling fitting portion  423  and a threaded portion  425 . Gun system  410  has the advantage of allowing for the use of a regulator  443  which has conventional connections such as an ASA threaded cap portion  445  with a check valve  446 . Accordingly, one may create a gun system of the present invention by selectively modifying a more conventional gun system. A possible disadvantage of this approach is that insert  421  adds to the overall length of the gun system. 
         [0040]    The alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , gun system  510 , adds a sliding on-off mechanism  552  to a quick-coupling insert  521 . Insert  521  has details and a purpose as described in reference to insert  421  in  FIG. 7 . On-off mechanism  552  has details and a purpose as described in reference to on-off mechanism  352  in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Gun system  510  has the dual advantages of allowing for connection and separation without gas pressure, and the existing components with conventional ASA threaded connections. 
         [0041]    In the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , gun system  610 , the gun-side fitting  620  of quick coupling  616  takes the form of an insert  619  with a quick coupling fitting portion  617  and a threaded portion  615 . Gun system  610  has the advantage of allowing for the use of a gun-mounted receptacle  613  which has conventional connections such as an ASA threaded receptacle  611 . Accordingly, one may create a gun system of the present invention by selectively modifying a more conventional gun system. A possible disadvantage of this approach is that insert  619  adds to the overall length of the gun system. 
         [0042]    In the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , gun system  710 , the tank-side fitting  722  of quick coupling  716  takes the form of an insert  721  with a quick coupling fitting portion  723  and a threaded portion  725 . Gun system  710  is comparably to gun system  410  ( FIG. 7 ) except that gun system  710  is shown without a regulator in the fluid pathway. Gun system  710  instead has a check valve component  745 , an arrangement that is commonly associated with CO2 powered gun system. 
         [0043]    Numerous variations and modifications of the embodiments described above can be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel features of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.