Actuation mechanisms for tissue specimen retrieval devices and tissue specimen retrieval devices incorporating the same

A tissue specimen retrieval device includes an outer shaft including a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the outer shaft includes a first jaw defining a first side of a lumen in the distal portion of the outer shaft. A second jaw defines a second side of the lumen in the distal portion of the outer shaft. The first and second jaws are actuatable between a closed configuration and an expanded configuration in which the first and second jaws are spaced relative to each other. A tissue specimen bag is supported by the first jaw and the second jaw. A bag brim of the tissue specimen bag defines a collapsed configuration when positioned in the lumen defined by the first jaw and the second jaw and an open configuration when the first and second jaws are in the expanded configuration.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to tissue specimen retrieval from an internal body cavity and, more particularly, to articulation mechanisms for tissue specimen retrieval devices and tissue specimen retrieval devices incorporating the same to facilitate retrieval of a tissue specimen from the internal body cavity.

BACKGROUND

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 a cannula 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 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.

SUMMARY

Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is a tissue specimen retrieval device including a housing and an outer shaft extending distally from the housing. The outer shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The outer shaft defines a lumen extending within the proximal portion and the distal portion of the outer shaft. The distal portion of the outer shaft includes a first jaw defining a first side of the lumen in the distal portion of the outer shaft. A second jaw defines a second side of the lumen in the distal portion of the outer shaft. The first and second jaws are actuatable between a closed configuration in which the first and second jaws define the lumen in the distal portion of the outer shaft, and an expanded configuration in which the first and second jaws are spaced relative to each other. A tissue specimen bag is supported by the first jaw and the second jaw. The tissue specimen bag includes a bag brim. The bag brim is removably coupled to the first jaw and the second jaw. The bag brim defines a collapsed configuration when positioned in the lumen defined by the first jaw and the second jaw and an open configuration when the first and second jaws are in the expanded configuration.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the first jaw includes a first pivot point and a second pivot point and the second jaw defines a third pivot point and a fourth pivot point. Actuation of the first jaw and the second jaw between the closed configuration and the expanded configuration pivots the first jaw about the first and second pivot points and pivots the second jaw about the third and fourth pivot points to expand the bag brim between the closed configuration and the open configuration. The tissue specimen bag includes a bag body. The bag body is in a furled configuration when the first and second jaws are in the closed configuration. The bag body is in an unfurled configuration when the bag brim is in the open configuration.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a first suture removably couples the bag brim to the first and second jaws. The bag brim includes a channel defined therein. A second suture extends within the channel formed in the bag brim. The second suture is configured to cinch the bag brim into a closed configuration. An actuator is positioned on the housing. The actuator is operably coupled to the second suture and configured to retract the second suture. The first and second jaws each include a plurality of orifices configured to receive the first suture therein to removably couple the bag brim to the first and second jaws.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a first track is formed in a proximal portion of the first jaw. A second track is formed in a proximal portion of the second jaw. The first track overlaps the second track. A pin is positioned in the first track and the second track. Advancing the pin along a proximal to distal direction actuates the first and second jaws between the closed configuration and the expanded configuration. A driver is operably coupled to the pin and configured to advance the pin along the proximal to distal direction. An actuator is positioned on the housing. The actuator is operably coupled to the driver and configured to advance the driver along the proximal to distal direction.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the housing includes a pistol-grip handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides actuation mechanisms for tissue specimen retrieval devices and tissue specimen retrieval devices incorporating the same to facilitate retrieval of the tissue specimen from the internal body cavity. These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure are detailed below. 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. 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.

“About” or “approximately” or “substantially” as used herein may be inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of variation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (e.g., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” may mean within one or more standard variations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.

Descriptions of technical features or aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure should typically be considered as available and applicable to other similar features or aspects in another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Accordingly, technical features described herein according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure may be applicable to other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and thus duplicative descriptions may be omitted herein.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described more fully below (e.g., with reference to the accompanying drawings). Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring toFIG. 1, a tissue specimen retrieval device provided in accordance with the present disclosure is shown generally identified by reference numeral100. Tissue specimen retrieval device100includes a housing110, first and second actuators120,130operably associated with housing110, an outer shaft140extending distally from housing110, and an activation button150. The outer shaft140includes a proximal portion111and a distal portion113. The outer shaft140defines a lumen115extending within the proximal portion111and the distal portion113of the outer shaft140.

Housing110, although illustrated as defining a generally tubular configuration, may define any suitable configuration to facilitate grasping and manipulating tissue specimen retrieval device100such as, for example, a pencil-grip configuration, a pistol-grip configuration, etc., and may include any suitable features to enhance ergonomics such as, for example, recesses, protrusions, textured surfaces, finger rings, etc.

First actuator120is operably associated with housing110and is operably coupled to outer shaft140to enable selective actuation of the distal portion113of the outer shaft140.

The first actuator120may be configured as a sliding actuator slidable along housing110(e.g., along longitudinal axis X-X), or may define any other suitable configuration such as, for example, a plunger actuator that is selectively manipulatable relative to housing110along a longitudinal axis of housing110, a pivoting actuator pivotable relative to housing110, etc.

Second actuator130is operably associated with housing110and coupled to a second suture163(see, e.g.,FIGS. 2B and 3) to enable selective cinching of a brim165of tissue specimen bag160. Second actuator130may be configured as a plunger actuator that is selectively manipulatable relative to housing110, or may define any other suitable configuration such as, for example, a pivoting actuator pivotable relative to housing110, a sliding actuator slidable along housing110(e.g., along longitudinal axis X-X), etc.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2A to 4B, the distal portion113of the outer shaft140includes a first jaw101defining a first side116of the lumen115in the distal portion113of the outer shaft140. A second jaw102defines a second side117of the lumen115in the distal portion113of the outer shaft140. The first and second jaws101and102are configured to be actuated between a closed configuration (see, e.g.,FIG. 2A) in which the first and second jaws101and102define the lumen115in the distal portion113of the outer shaft140, and an expanded configuration (see, e.g.,FIG. 2B) in which the first and second jaws101and102are pivoted away from each other. A tissue specimen bag160is supported by the first jaw and the second jaw101and102, respectively, and is positioned in the lumen115of the outer shaft140before the tissue specimen bag160is deployed by the first and second jaws101and102. The tissue specimen bag160includes the brim165. The brim165is removably coupled to the first jaw101and the second jaw102. The brim165defines a collapsed configuration when positioned in the lumen115defined by the first jaw101and the second jaw102and an open configuration (see, e.g.,FIG. 2B) when the first jaw101and the second jaw102are in the expanded configuration. The bag body167is in a furled configuration when the tissue specimen bag160is positioned in the lumen115of the outer shaft140before the tissue specimen bag160is deployed by the first and second jaws101and102, respectively.

As an example, the proximal111and distal portions113of the outer shaft140may define approximately a 15 mm continuous tube when the distal portion113of the outer shaft140is in the closed configuration (e.g., before the tissue specimen bag160is deployed from the lumen115of the outer shaft140).

The first jaw101includes a first pivot point121and a second pivot point123and the second jaw102defines a third pivot point122and a fourth pivot point124. Actuation of the first jaw101and the second jaw102between the closed configuration and the expanded configuration pivots the first jaw101about the first and second pivot points121and123and pivots the second jaw102about the third and fourth points122and124to expand the brim165between the closed configuration and the open configuration. The tissue specimen bag160includes a bag body167(see, e.g.,FIG. 5). As noted above, the bag body167is in a furled configuration when the first jaw101and the second jaw102are in the closed configuration. The bag body167unfurls from the brim165when the brim165is in the open configuration as a result of the actuation of jaws101,102.

Referring particularly toFIGS. 2B and 3, a first suture161removably couples the brim165to the jaws101,102. The brim165includes at least one channel162formed therein. A second suture163extends within the channel162formed in the brim165. The second suture163is configured to cinch the brim165into a closed configuration. The first jaw101and the second jaw102each include a plurality of orifices168configured to receive the first suture161therein to removably couple the brim165to the jaws101,102.

Tissue specimen bag160may be formed from any suitable bio-compatible material (or materials), e.g., ripstop nylon, configured to retain a tissue specimen “T” (FIG. 5) therein. Tissue specimen bag160defines at least one opening defined by brim165, e.g., at open end166thereof, and includes one or more channels162,164formed within brim165about open end166thereof for receipt of second suture163, therein. The one or more channels162,164may be separate or in communication with one another, and/or may extend about only a portion of open end166of tissue specimen bag160or about the entirety perimeter thereof. One or more of the openings of tissue specimen bag160, e.g., open end166, may include a cinch cord (e.g., second suture163extending through channels162and164) disposed thereabout to enable selective closure of the opening. Tissue specimen bag160may be disengaged from jaws101,102upon cinching closed open end166of tissue specimen bag160, and cutting or separating of the first suture161, using a separate instrument, e.g., grasping device, cutting device, and/or in any other suitable manner.

Referring particularly toFIGS. 1, 4A and 4B, a first track131is formed in a proximal end portion114of the first jaw101. A second track132is formed in a proximal end portion124of the second jaw102. The first track131overlaps the second track132. A pin133is positioned in the first track131and the second track132. Advancing the pin133along a proximal-to-distal direction (e.g., along longitudinal axis X-X inFIG. 1) actuates the jaws101,102between the closed configuration and the expanded configuration. A driver134is operably coupled to the pin133and configured to advance the pin133along the proximal to distal direction. The first actuator120actuator is operably coupled to the driver134and configured to advance the driver134along the proximal to distal direction. The pin133may be locked in place but remain biased (e.g., by a spring) toward an actuated position, such the releasing the pin133causes actuation of the jaws101,102. The pin133may be released by an activation button150to actuate the jaws101,102.

Continuing with reference toFIGS. 1 and 5, outer shaft140extends distally from housing110, as noted above, and is configured for insertion through an access cannula “C” (FIG. 5) or natural passageway into an internal body cavity “B” (FIG. 5). Outer shaft140may be substantially rigid (within manufacturing tolerances and in response to reasonable loads applied thereto) or may include one or more portions configured to flex and/or articulate relative to a longitudinal axis thereof.

In use, the distal portion113of the outer shaft140is initially in the closed configuration to facilitate insertion of the distal portion113of the outer shaft140through an access cannula “C” (FIG. 5) or natural passageway into an internal body cavity “B” (FIG. 5). Once at least the distal portion113of the outer shaft140of tissue specimen retrieval device100is disposed within the internal body cavity “B” (FIG. 5), the jaws101,102are actuated to the expanded configuration (see, e.g.,FIGS. 2B and 4B) to expand the brim165to the open configuration (see, e.g.,FIG. 2B). Thus, the distal portion113of the outer shaft140is used to deploy the tissue specimen bag160from the lumen115of the outer shaft140into the open configuration without the need for additional deployment arms. After a tissue specimen is placed in the tissue specimen bag160, the first suture161can be cut to separate the brim165from the jaws101,102. The brim165may be cinched by proximally pulling the second suture165(e.g., by pulling on second actuator130) to close the open end166of the brim165.