Adapter for use with surgical access device for evacuation of smoke

An evacuation adapter for use with a surgical access device includes a distal section selectively engageable with a proximal section. The distal section and the proximal section each include a base, an outer ring, and an inner ring. Each base defines a central opening. Each outer ring defines at least one opening. Each inner ring defines at least one opening. The outer ring of the proximal section includes a port. The proximal section is rotatable relative to the distal section between a first position where fluid is able to flow from the central opening of the distal section through the port, and a second position where fluid is blocked from flowing from the central opening of the distal section through the port.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an adapter for use with a surgical access device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an adapter for use with a surgical access device to facilitate the evacuation of smoke from a surgical site.

Background of Related Art

In minimally invasive surgical procedures, including endoscopic and laparoscopic surgeries, a surgical access device permits the introduction of a variety of surgical instruments into a body cavity or opening. A surgical access device (e.g., a cannula) is introduced through an opening in tissue (i.e., a naturally occurring orifice or an incision) to provide access to an underlying surgical site in the body. The incision is typically made using an obturator having a blunt or sharp tip that has been inserted within the passageway of the surgical access device. For example, a cannula has a tube of rigid material with a thin wall construction, through which an obturator may be passed. The obturator is utilized to penetrate a body wall, such as an abdominal wall, or to introduce the surgical access device through the body wall and is then removed to permit introduction of additional surgical instrumentation through the surgical access device to perform the surgical procedure.

During these procedures, it may be challenging to minimize smoke (including gas and other particulates) that escapes from the pressurized body cavity when one instrument is removed from the surgical access device and prior to the introduction of another surgical device through the surgical access device, for instance. Smoke may be created during electrosurgical procedures, and/or particulates may be present while removing surgical instruments from an access device, for example.

Accordingly, it may be helpful to provide an adapter that engages a surgical access device, and that can help control evacuation of smoke from the surgical site.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to an evacuation adapter for use with a surgical access device. The evacuation adapter includes a distal section and a proximal section. The distal section is configured to selectively engage a proximal end of a surgical access device, and includes a base, an outer ring, and an inner ring. The base defines a central opening. The outer ring extends proximally from the base and defines at least one opening. The inner ring extends proximally from the base and defines at least one opening. The proximal section is configured to selectively engage the distal section, and includes a base, an outer ring, and an inner ring. The base defines a central opening. The outer ring extends distally from the base and includes a port. The inner ring extends distally from the base and defines at least one opening. When the proximal section is engaged with the distal section, the proximal section is rotatable relative to the distal section between a first position where fluid is able to flow from the central opening of the distal section through the port of the proximal section, and a second position where fluid is blocked from flowing from the central opening of the distal section through the port of the proximal section.

In aspects, when the proximal section is in the first position, at least a portion of the at least one opening of the inner ring of the proximal section may be radially aligned with at least a portion of the at least one opening of the inner ring of the distal section. Further, in aspects, when the proximal section is in the first position, at least a portion of the opening of the outer ring of the distal section may be radially aligned with at least a portion of the port of the proximal section.

Additionally, in aspects, when the proximal section is in the second position, at least one opening of the inner ring of the proximal section may be radially offset from the at least one opening of the inner ring of the distal section. Further, in aspects, when the proximal section is in the second position, the opening of the outer ring of the distal section may be radially offset from the port of the proximal section.

In additional aspects, a distal portion of the inner ring of the proximal section may include at least one finger extending radially outward therefrom, and the distal section may include a circular slot. The at least one finger of the inner ring of the proximal section may be configured to slide within the circular slot of the distal section.

In disclosed aspects, the at least one opening of the inner ring of the distal section may include four openings, and the at least one opening of the inner ring of the proximal section may include four openings.

In aspects, the proximal section may include at least one stop member extending distally from the base of the proximal section, and the distal section may include at least one wall extending radially inward from the outer ring. A predetermined amount of rotation of the proximal section relative to the distal section may cause the at least one stop member to contact the at least one wall. Further, in aspects, the at least one stop member may be in contact with the at least one wall when the proximal section is in the second position.

Additionally, in aspects, the evacuation adapter may include a poka-yoke assembly configured to ensure the proximal section engages the distal section in a proper radial orientation.

The present disclosure also relates to a surgical system including a surgical access device and an evacuation adapter. The surgical access device includes a cannula having a housing, an elongated portion extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis, and a central channel configured to allow at least a portion of a surgical instrument to pass therethrough. The evacuation adapter is configured to selectively engage the housing of the surgical access device, and includes a distal section, a proximal section, and a port. The distal section includes a base, an outer ring extending proximally from the base, and an inner ring extending proximally from the base. The base defines a central opening. The inner ring defines at least one window, and the outer ring defines at least one window. The proximal section is configured to selectively engage the distal section and includes a base, an outer ring extending distally from the base, and an inner ring extending distally from the base. The base defines a central opening. The inner ring defines at least one window. The port is configured to engage a suction device. When the proximal section is engaged with the distal section and when the evacuation adapter is engaged with the housing of the cannula, the proximal section is rotatable relative to the distal section between a first position where fluid is able to flow from the central channel of the cannula through the port of the evacuation adapter, and a second position where fluid is blocked from flowing from the central channel of the cannula through the port of the evacuation adapter.

In aspects, when the proximal section of the evacuation adapter is in the first position, at least a portion of the at least one window of the inner ring of the proximal section may be radially aligned with at least a portion of the at least one window of the inner ring of the distal section, and at least a portion of the window of the outer ring of the distal section may be radially aligned with at least a portion of the port. Further, in aspects, when the proximal section of the evacuation adapter is in the second position, at least one window of the inner ring of the proximal section may be radially offset from the at least one window of the inner ring of the distal section, and the window of the outer ring of the distal section may be radially offset from the port.

In disclosed aspects, a distal portion of the inner ring of the proximal section of the evacuation adapter may include at least one finger extending radially outward therefrom, the distal section of the evacuation adapter may include a circular slot, and the at least one finger of the inner ring of the proximal section may be configured to slide within the circular slot of the distal section.

Further, in aspects, the proximal section of the evacuation adapter may include at least one stop member extending distally from the base of the proximal section. The distal section of the evacuation adapter may include at least one wall extending radially inward from the outer ring. A predetermined amount of rotation of the proximal section relative to the distal section may cause the at least one stop member to contact the at least one wall. Additionally, in aspects, the at least one stop member may be in contact with the at least one wall when the proximal section of the evacuation adapter is in the second position.

In aspects, the evacuation adapter may include a poka-yoke assembly configured to ensure the proximal section engages the distal section in a proper radial orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the presently disclosed evacuation adapter for use with a surgical access device will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As is common in the art, the term “proximal” refers to that part or component closer to the user or operator, i.e. surgeon or physician, while the term “distal” refers to that part or component farther away from the user.

Generally, a surgical access device or cannula, often part of a trocar assembly, may be employed during surgery (e.g., laparoscopic surgery) and may, in various aspects, provide for the sealed access of laparoscopic surgical instruments into an insufflated body cavity, such as the abdominal cavity. The cannula is usable with an obturator insertable therethrough. The cannula and obturator are separate components but are capable of being selectively connected together. For example, the obturator may be inserted into and through the cannula until the handle of the obturator engages, e.g., selectively locks into, a housing of the cannula. In this initial configuration, the trocar assembly is employed to tunnel through an anatomical structure, e.g., the abdominal wall, either by making a new passage through the structure or by passing through an existing opening through the structure. Once the trocar assembly has tunneled through the anatomical structure, the obturator is removed, leaving the cannula in place in the structure, e.g., in the incision created by the trocar assembly. The housing of the cannula may include seals or valves that help prevent the escape of insufflation gases from the body cavity, while also allowing surgical instruments to be inserted into the body cavity.

However, during the removal of surgical instruments from the surgical access device, for instance, smoke, air fluid, gas, particulates, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as “smoke”) may still escape from the body cavity (or from the surgical instrument itself) through the seal(s) or valve(s) of the surgical access device. Additionally, the use of electrosurgical instruments may create smoke within the body cavity. The evacuation adapter of the present disclosure helps minimize the amount of smoke being expelled from surgical access device and into the surrounding environment.

FIGS.1-10illustrate an evacuation adapter according to the present disclosure. With initial reference toFIG.1, the evacuation adapter200is shown engaged with a proximal end of a surgical access device10. Generally, the surgical access device10includes a cannula body100having a housing120at its proximal end and an elongated portion140extending distally from the housing120. The elongated portion140defines a channel150(FIGS.7and8) extending therethrough, and defines a longitudinal axis “A-A.” A seal assembly160including a first seal162and a second seal164(FIGS.7and8) is housed at least partially within the housing120. An obturator (not shown) is insertable through the channel150and is engageable with the housing120(when the evacuation adapter200is not engaged with the surgical access device10), for instance. Additionally, while the evacuation adapter200is shown in connection with the particular type surgical access device10, the evacuation adapter200of the present disclosure can also be used with other types of surgical access devices.

With particular reference toFIG.2, the evacuation adapter200is selectively engageable with the housing120of the surgical access device10. The evacuation adapter200includes a port210configured to engage a hose of a vacuum source (not explicitly shown). When engaged with the surgical access device10and with a vacuum source, the evacuation adapter200is able to remove smoke from within the channel150of the surgical access device10and/or remove particulates from a surgical instrument being removed therefrom.

As shown inFIGS.2and3, the evacuation adapter200includes a pair of legs220configured to selectively lockingly engage a corresponding pair of apertures122within the housing120of the cannula body100, e.g., in a snap-fit engagement. The evacuation adapter200also includes a gasket230on a distal section thereof (e.g., at least partially within a recess). When the evacuation adapter200is engaged with the housing120, the gasket230is configured to provide a seal to help prevent smoke from escaping between the evacuation adapter200and the housing120.

Referring now toFIGS.4and5, two portions of the evacuation adapter200are shown. More particularly,FIG.4illustrates a proximal section240of the evacuation adapter200, andFIG.5illustrates a distal section260of the evacuation adapter200. The proximal section240of the evacuation adapter200is configured to rotatably engage the distal section260of the evacuation adapter200.

More particularly, when the proximal section240is mechanically engaged with the distal section260, and when the evacuation adapter200is mechanically engaged with the housing120of the cannula body100, the proximal section240of the evacuation adapter200is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis “A-A” relative to the distal section260of the evacuation adapter200and relative to the housing120of the cannula body100of the surgical access device10.

As will be described in further detail below, the engagement between fingers254of the proximal section240of the evacuation adapter200, and a circular groove or slot274of the distal section260of the evacuation adapter200enable the rotation between the proximal section240and the distal section260. As will also be described in further detail below, the rotation of the proximal section240relative to the distal section260allows a user to control the flow of smoke from the channel150of the cannula body100through the port210of the evacuation adapter200.

With particular reference toFIG.4, the proximal section240of the evacuation adapter200is shown. The proximal section240includes a base242defining a central opening243, an outer ring244extending distally from an outer circumference of the base242, an inner ring250extending distally from an inner circumference of the base242and adjacent the central opening243, stop members255extending distally from the base242, and the port210extending laterally outward from the outer ring244.

With continued reference toFIG.4, the inner ring250includes a plurality of windows or openings252defined therein. While the four openings252are shown in the exemplary structure illustrated, more or fewer openings252may be included without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, a distal end of the inner ring250includes the fingers254extending radially outward therefrom.

Referring now toFIG.5, the distal section260of the evacuation adapter200is shown. The distal section260includes a base262defining a central opening263, an outer ring264extending proximally from an outer circumference of the base262, an inner ring270extending proximally from an inner circumference of the base262and adjacent the central opening263, radial walls275extending proximally from the base262and radially inward from the outer ring264, a poka-yoke assembly278extending radially inward from the outer ring264between two adjacent radial walls275, a window or opening280defined in the outer ring264, and the legs220extending distally from the outer ring264.

With continued reference toFIG.5, the inner ring270of the distal section260includes a plurality of windows or openings272defined therein. While the four openings272are shown in the exemplary structure illustrated, more or fewer openings272may be included without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the circular groove or slot274is defined adjacent the central opening263of the distal section260and distally of the inner ring270(see alsoFIG.6).

With reference toFIGS.6-8, the engagement between the proximal section240and the distal section260of the evacuation adapter200is shown. Generally, the proximal section240and the distal section260are approximated or moved toward each other such that the outer ring244of the proximal section240is positioned radially outward of the outer ring264of the distal section260, and the inner ring250of the proximal section240is positioned radially inward of the inner ring270of the distal section260. Additionally, after a predetermined amount of approximation between the proximal section240and the distal section260, the fingers254of the inner ring250of the proximal section240engage the circular slot274of the distal section260. This engagement between the fingers254and the circular slot274selectively locks the longitudinal position of the proximal section240relative to the distal section260. Additionally, the fingers254are configured to slide within the circular slot274when the proximal section240rotates about the longitudinal axis “A-A” relative to the distal section260.

Referring now toFIGS.8-10, a fluid flow path “P” through the evacuation adapter200is shown. The rotation of the proximal section240relative to the distal section260allows a user to control the flow of fluid (including gas, air, particulates, and smoke, for instance) from the channel150of the cannula body100through the port210of the evacuation adapter200. That is, the evacuation adapter200is movable between an open position (FIGS.8and9), where fluid is able to flow from the channel150of the cannula body100and into the port210, and a closed position (FIG.10), where the evacuation adapter200blocks the fluid from flowing from the channel150of the cannula body100through the port210.

More particularly, when the openings252of the inner ring250of the proximal section240are radially aligned with the openings272of the inner ring270of the distal section260(FIGS.8and9), the opening280of the outer ring264of the distal section260is radially aligned with the port210, and smoke is able to flow from the channel150, through the openings252and272, through a cavity261defined between the outer ring264and the inner ring270of the distal section260, through the opening280of the outer ring264of the distal section260, and through the port210of the evacuation adapter200.

FIG.10depicts the rotation of the proximal section240relative to the distal section260of the evacuation adapter200in the general direction of arrow “B” from its position shown inFIG.9. In this position, the openings252of the inner ring250of the proximal section240are radially offset with the openings272of the inner ring270of the distal section260. Thus, smoke is prevented from entering the cavity261of the distal section260. Additionally, in this position, the opening280of the outer ring264of the distal section260is radially offset from the port210such that the port210is occluded, thereby preventing smoke from travelling from the cavity261through the port210. Accordingly, rotation of the proximal section240relative to the distal section260allows a user to control the flow of smoke from the channel150of the cannula body100through the port210of the evacuation adapter200.

Referring now toFIGS.9and10, the stop members255of the proximal section240and the radial walls275of the distal section260of the evacuation adapter200are shown. The stop members255and the radial walls275help limit the amount of rotation of the proximal section240relative to the distal section260. For example,FIG.10illustrates when the proximal section240has been fully rotated relative to the distal section260in the general direction of arrow “B.” Here, the stop members255of the proximal section240are in contact with the radial walls275of the distal section260, thereby preventing additional rotation of the proximal section240relative to the distal section260in the general direction of arrow “B.” Additionally, when the proximal section240is rotated a predetermined amount relative to the distal section260in the opposite direction, i.e., in the general direction of arrow “C” inFIG.10, the stop members255of the proximal section240make contact with the (other) radial walls275of the distal section260, thereby preventing additional rotation therebetween.

With continued reference toFIGS.9and10, the poka-yoke assembly278is shown. Poka-yoke assembly278helps ensure the proximal section240and the distal section260of the evacuation assembly200are assembled in the proper radial orientation. That is, for example, the poka-yoke assembly278ensures that the port210of the proximal section240is generally on the same radial side of the channel150of the cannula body100as the opening280of the outer ring264. The orientation and positioning of the poka-yoke assembly278and the stop members255prevents incorrect assembly of proximal section240and the distal section260of the evacuation assembly200, as the proximal section240is only physically engageable with the distal section260in the proper radial orientation. More particularly, if a user attempted to engage the proximal section240with the distal section260in the incorrect orientation (e.g., rotated approximately 180° from the illustrated orientation), the contact between the stop members255and the poka-yoke assembly278would physically prevent such an incorrect assembly attempt.

In use, a user approximates the proximal section240of the evacuation adapter200with the distal section260until the fingers254of the proximal section240engage the circular slot274of the distal section260. The evacuation adapter200is connected to the surgical access device10by engaging the legs220of the evacuation adapter200with the apertures122of the housing120of the cannula body100. A suction device is engaged with the port210of the evacuation adapter200.

A user may insert an obturator through the central openings243,263of the proximal section240and the distal section260, respectively, of the evacuation adapter200, through the channel150of the cannula body100, and into tissue. Next, prior to removal of the obturator from the surgical access device10, the user can ensure the evacuation adapter200is in its first, open position by rotating the proximal section240of the evacuation adapter200relative to the distal section260, if necessary. In this position, the obturator is removed from the surgical access device10and the suction device is able to remove any smoke that may exit the surgical access device10(e.g., through seals162,164(FIGS.7and8) within the housing120), prior to the smoke becoming airborne (e.g., within the operating room).

A user may then insert another surgical instrument through the central openings243,263of the proximal section240and the distal section260, respectively, of the evacuation adapter200, through the channel150of the cannula body100, and into tissue. When the surgical instrument is within tissue, the user may rotate the proximal section240of the evacuation adapter200relative to the distal section260to move the evacuation adapter200to its second, closed position such that the suction device does not impact the pressurized body cavity, for instance.

As can be appreciated, the user can move the evacuation adapter200to the open or closed position (or a partially-open position) as many times as desired during a surgical operation to help control the amount of smoke that becomes airborne.

While the above description contains many specifics, these specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but merely as illustrations of various aspects thereof. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of various aspects. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.