Laparoscopic instrument and trocar system and related surgical method

Abstract

Laparoscopic instruments and cannulas are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the C-shaped trocar sleeves or through the cannula and instrument holder unit provide markedly improved degrees of instruments' freedom during trans-umbilical laparoscopic procedures.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . An instrument holder assembly comprising:
 an annular body member; and   a plurality of tapered funnel-shaped port elements each defining a plurality of cross-sectional diameters and each of said plurality of tapered funnel-shaped port elements connected to said annular body member and extending proximally in a common direction therefrom. the taper of each of said tapered funnel-shaped port elements decreasing the plurality of cross-sectional diameters in the proximal direction.   
     
     
         53 . The instrument holder assembly according to  claim 52 , wherein the annular body member has a C-shaped flared profile along a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         54 . The instrument holder assembly according to  claim 52 ,
 wherein the annular body member defines a proximal aperture and a perimeter and wherein the plurality of tapered funnel-shaped port elements each defines a distal aperture and a perimeter wherein at least a portion of the perimeter of the plurality of tapered tunnel-shaped port elements is connected to the perimeter of the proximal aperture of the annular body member.   
     
     
         55 . The instrument holder assembly according to  claim 54 , wherein a remaining portion of the perimeter of at least two of the plurality of tapered funnel-shaped port elements are connected to each other wherein the distal apertures defined by the at least two tapered funnel-shaped port elements span the entire proximal aperture defined by the annular body member. 
     
     
         56 . A pair of tongs for laparoscopical surgical operations comprising:
 a pair of handles pivotably joined to each other; and   a pair of jaw elements configured and disposed one on each of the handles to enable retention of a compacted instrument holder assembly for insertion of said holder assembly through an incision in a patient for at least partial insertion of said instrument holder assembly into a patient cavity.   
     
     
         57 . The pair of surgical tongs defined in  claim 56 , wherein the jaw elements are cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
         58 . A method of laparoscopic surgery comprising the steps of:
 grasping an inflatable instrument holder assembly having an insertion configuration for at least partial insertion of said holder assembly through an incision in a patient for at least partial insertion of said holder assembly into a patient cavity, and an in use configuration for use of said instrument holder assembly for access to said patient cavity, said instrument holder assembly folded into a compact configuration for the insertion of said holder assembly at least partially through the incision in a patient: and   inserting said compacted instrument holder assembly at least partially through said incision.   
     
     
         59 . The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in  claim 58 , further comprising the step of:
 inflating said compacted instrument holder assembly to the in use configuration for use of said instrument holder assembly for access to said patient cavity.   
     
     
         60 . The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in  claim 58 , wherein the step of grasping said inflatable instrument holder assembly is performed by retaining the compacted instrument holder assembly via a pair of tongs that comprise:
 a pair of handles pivotably joined to each other: and   a pair of jaw elements configured and disposed one on each of the jaws to enable retention of said instrument holder assembly.   
     
     
         61 . The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in  claim 60 , further comprising the steps of:
 holding the compacted instrument holder assembly in place in the incision; and   opening the pair of tongs slightly to enable movement of the jaw elements from the compacted instrument holder assembly.   
     
     
         62 . The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in  claim 61 , further comprising the steps of:
 pulling the pair of tongs in a direction proximal to a user: and   separating the pair of tongs from the compacted instrument holder assembly.   
     
     
         63 . The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in  claim 62 , further comprising the step of:
 inflating said compacted instrument holder assembly, while positioned in the incision, to the in use configuration.   
     
     
         64 . The method of laparoscopic surgery as defined in  claim 60 , wherein the step of grasping the pair of tongs is performed wherein the jaw elements are cylindrically shaped, the cylindrically shaped jaw elements grasping the compacted instrument holder assembly therebetween.