Vacuum instrument for slowing or arresting the flow of blood

Abstract

The invention provides a surgical vacuum device including a vacuum cup sized for attachment to and manipulation of a target tissue. The device further includes a vacuum hose for applying a vacuum to the interior of the cup, and structure for applying a tensioning force to the cup once it has been placed and a vacuum applied. The vacuum device may be utilized with minimal or no trauma to the target tissue or surrounding tissues.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical retraction device for applying a vacuum from a vacuum source to a target tissue of a patient to facilitate manipulation of the tissue during surgery, said device comprising:
 a vacuum hose for attachment to said vacuum source;   a cup having walls defining an internal cavity, said walls including a side wall with a side wall edge forming a cup opening for placement against said target tissue;   a vacuum opening extending through one of said walls, said vacuum hose being in communication with said vacuum opening whereby a vacuum is created within said internal cavity to secure the cup to the target tissue;   at least one flange coupled to the cup; and   at least one elongated retraction arm adapted to be coupled to the at least one flange to manipulate the cup.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flange comprises a flange opening therethrough, the retraction arm being coupled through the flange opening. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flange extends from a cup wall. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cup further comprises an elongated nipple in communication with the vacuum opening, the vacuum hose being coupled to and in communication with the nipple for introduction of the vacuum, said flange being coupled to the elongated nipple. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the nipple comprises an elongated shaft, whereby the cup may be manipulated. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the flange comprises a handle disposed along the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retraction arm comprises a flexible cord. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retraction arm comprises a substantially rigid rod. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the retraction arm comprises a hook for attachment to the flange opening. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling for securing the cup in a given position. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the coupling is a clamp for coupling the cup to the patient's skin. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising an external frame and wherein the coupling secures the retraction arm to said frame. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said frame is a surgical frame coupled to the patient's body. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said frame is coupled to a surgical table. 
     
     
         15 . A medical retractor for applying a vacuum from a vacuum source to a target tissue of a patient to facilitate manipulation of the tissue during surgery, said device comprising:
 a vacuum hose for attachment to said vacuum source;   a cup having walls defining an internal cavity, said walls including a side wall with a side wall edge forming a cup opening for placement against said target tissue; and   a vacuum opening extending through one of said walls, said cup having a diameter on the order of 3-100 mm, said vacuum hose being in communication with said vacuum opening, whereby a vacuum is created within said internal cavity to secure the cup to the target tissue.   
     
     
         16 . The medical retractor of  claim 15 , wherein the cup is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         17 . The medical retractor of  claim 16 , wherein the cup further comprises a nipple in communication with the vacuum opening, the vacuum hose being coupled to the vacuum opening. 
     
     
         18 . A method for manipulating a tissue during laparoscopic surgery comprising:
 making an incision of sufficient size to insert a trochar into a body of a patient;   inserting said trochar into said incision with a surrounding sheath;   advancing a compressed cup through the sheath disposed in the incision;   releasing the cup from the sheath, thereby decompressing the cup to expose an internal cavity ion said cup;   positioning said cup over said tissue;   applying a vacuum to the internal cavity of said cup; and   applying a traction to said cup to manipulate said tissue.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the vacuum is applied from a vacuum source through a flexible hose. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the vacuum hose extends through an opening extending through a wall of said cup.