A cushion-like member for abdominal operations

Abstract: In abdominal operations, particularly gyneacological abdominal operations, gauze-like material is often used in practice to hold organs such as intestines away from the operative area. This gauze-like material must in many cases be replaced during an operation and also lacks the desired stiffness to hold the intestines in particular in place in all cases. The present invention provides a cushion-like member for inserting into a relatively large body cavity, as formed during abdominal/pelvis surgery, and for restraining one or more body organs (for instance the intestines) and/or for absorbing blood and/or wound fluid, wherein the cushion-like member consists substantially of synthetic, absorbent material and has a outer contour of such shape that it is layable along and or beyond an edge of said body cavity.

Description: In abdominal operations, particularly gyneacological abdominal operations, gauze-like material is often used in practice to hold organs such as intestines away from the operative area. This gauze-like material must in many cases be replaced during an operation and also lacks the desired stiffness to hold the intestines in particular in place in all cases. Experiments have taken place on a limited scale with restraining members for intestines in particular operations. These have been found inadequate in practice, for instance because of the inadequate shape, stiffness and/or flexibility. From WO 80/01239 a rod shaped surgical device is known, which comprises a non-elastically deformable flexible member, surrounded by a soft liquid absorbing material. This rod shaped surgical device has to be adapted to the shape of the body cavity. US-A-4 889 107 discloses a surgical retractor including a barrier member forming a surgical dam for retaining viscera in an abdominal cavity during surgery and which is substantially nonabsorbant and is capable of being bent to a selected configuration and also including a core member enclosed within the barrier member that is capable of retaining the barrier member at the selected configuration. The core member is made of a metal. US-A-1 944 009 discloses an intra-abdominal retractor with a curved lower edge. It comprises a core of thin sheet lead enclosed in an envelope of soft rubber. DE-A-31 22 954 discloses a tampon of polyvinylalcohol hydro-foam. US-A-3 288 131 discloses a surgical retractor including a stiffening member overlaid with non traumatizing material. The present invention has for its object to improve upon the above mentioned cushion-like members of the prior art. The present invention provides a cushion-like member for inserting into a relatively large body cavity, as formed during abdominal/pelvis surgery and for restraining one or more body organs such as intestines and/or for absorbing blood and/or wound fluid, wherein the cushion-like member consists substantially of synthetic, absorbent material characterized in that an outer contour of said cushion-like member is preformed and adapted for use in said body cavity, wherein a portion of said outer contour is convex and a portion of said cushion-like member which is opposite said convex portion is concave in shape and defines a recess therein, wherein said cushion-like member has a somewhat horseshoe-like form in plan view, wherein the sythetic material is polyvinylalcohol hydro-foam and wherein the cushion-like member is packaged in a "peel pack" which can be opened by pulling two lips from each other in which such cushion-like member is retained after being moistered and which package can be sterilized by gamma-radiation after sealing. The shape of the cushion-like member is somewhat horseshoe-like, such that the cushion-like member is held in position from all sides. The synthetic absorbent material is a P.V.A. hydro foam, which shows high absorbent characteristics as well as cushion-like properties. If necessary, this material can also be cut, e.g. by a pair of scissors or a knife such as to further improve the shape thereof. Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated in the light of a description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of the cushion-like member according to the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the member of fig. 1 applied during an operation. A cushion-like member 1 according to the present invention is provided with rounded side 2 or convex outer contour 2 and a side or concave inner contour 3 located opposite which incorporates a recess. The shown preferred embodiment has a thickness d of approximately 23 mm and a height h of approximately 120 mm, a length l 1 of approximately 234 mm and a breadth l 2 of the recess of approximately 108 mm. The cushion-like member 1 is manufactured from polyvinylalcohol (P.V.A.) which, in combination with the chosen form which has a somewhat horseshoe-like appearance, has a sufficient stiffness to hold the intestines away from the operative area during an abdominal operation. The cushion-like member 1 is slightly foldable so that it can easily be placed in the correct position and pressed fixedly therein. Since the material is cushion-like, contact trauma of the intestinal body organs or bowels is avoided. Pressure is not exerted on the retro-peritoneal vessels (to the rear of the peritoneum), nor is indirect pressure exerted on the midriff. The texture of the material prevents the cushion-like member sliding away. The P.V.A. is preferably used in the form of an absorbent micro-porous foam, as known in other applications, for instance for plastic splint material (as a substitute for plaster) and temskin-substitute material. The P.V.A. is immunologically inert. The cushion-like member 1 is moisture sterilized with gamma radiation. The packaging can be easily pulled open, whereafter the cushion-like member is immediately ready for use for an operation in the abdomen or on the pelvis. Fig. 2 shows the cushion-like member in use during an abdominal operation, wherein use is also made of an implement 4 for holding open the surgical opening. It should be apparent from fig. 2 that the body organs on which an operation has to be performed are clearly visible so that the surgeon (or gynecologist) can perform his meticulous work optimally. The cushion-like member 1 holds the intestines located therebehind out of sight of the surgeon, while blood and wound fluid are absorbed and all possible conceivable complications are avoided.

Claims: A cushion-like member (1) for inserting into a relatively large body cavity, as formed during abdominal/pelvis surgery and for restraining one or more body organs such as intestines and/or for absorbing blood and/or wound fluid, wherein the cushion-like member (1) consists substantially of synthetic, absorbent material characterized in that an outer contour (2) of said cushion-like member is preformed and adapted for use in said body cavity, wherein a portion of said outer contour (2) is convex and a portion (3) of said cushion-like member which is opposite said convex portion is concave in shape and defines a recess therein, wherein said cushion-like member has a somewhat horseshoe-like form in plan view, wherein the sythetic material is polyvinylalcohol hydro-foam and wherein the cushion-like member is packaged in a "peel pack" which can be opened by pulling two lips from each other in which such cushion-like member is retained after being moistered and which package can be sterilized by gamma-radiation after sealing. A cushion-like member (1) according to claim 1, wherein the thickness (d) of the material is in the order of magnitude of 23 mm, the height (h) is in the order of magnitude of 120 mm and the length (l 1 ) of the cushion-like member is in the order of magnitude of 234 mm.

Inventors: VAN LINDERT ARNOLD CORNELIS MA, VAN LINDERT, ARNOLD CORNELIS MARIA
Applicants: LINDERT ARNOLD CORNELIS MARIA, VAN LINDERT, ARNOLD CORNELIS MARIA
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A61B17
IPC codes: A61F13, A61B17