Laparoscopic tool and method

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for use in internal surgical procedures and is particularly advantageous for use in laparoscopic surgical procedures. An example implementation is directed to a tool having a depth-adjustable cannula having an upper portion that rests on the body, and having an automatically-sealing channel that readily accepts the insertion and removal of surgical instruments without permitting gases to pass. In one particular embodiment, the tool includes a low-profile platform for stabilizing the tool on a body layer, a projection channel with a flexible sleeve for maintaining the channel closed, and an adjustable member for setting the penetration depth of the tool. The flexible sleeve is sufficiently elastic to close the inner channel in response to pressurization between the outside of the flexible sleeve and the inner surface of the hollow channel. The low-profile platform and the adjustable member permit use of the same tool for different body-wall thicknesses.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for inserting through a body layer including: 
 an elongated member, and    a flexible sleeve where the sleeve is attached to the bottom of the elongated member at an area less than the majority of the periphery of the member so to close an opening through the sleeve when pressure from a body cavity enters the elongated member.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus, according to    claim 1   , wherein the flexible sleeve is constructed and arranged to permit an external instrument to pass through the channel while maintaining the channel closed due to pressurization between the sleeve and an inner surface of the tube.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus, according to    claim 2   , wherein the flexible sleeve has a first end supported near the entry port.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus, according to    claim 3   , further including a flexible sleeve lock that is constructed and arranged to provide another entry port that is aligned with the first-indicated entry port and to secure the first end of the flexible sleeve.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus, according to    claim 4   , wherein the first end of the flexible sleeve is secured adjacent the extended portion of the elongated tube.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus, according to    claim 5   , further including a gas supply channel running along the elongated member and arranged to provide a path outside of the flexible sleeve that passes an externally-supplied gas to the body cavity.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus, according to    claim 6   , wherein the extended portion includes a portion of the gas supply channel.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, according to    claim 1   , further including an elongated pin constructed and arranged to lock within the elongated member and to puncture or pierce the body layer.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus, according to    claim 8   , wherein the elongated pin is constructed and arranged along with the elongated member to extend adjustably along the elongated tube.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus, according to    claim 8   , further including a sleeve arranged to receive the elongated member and to adjust the extent to which the elongated pin extends from the elongated tube.