Anoscope

Abstract

An insertion device for use during surgical procedure to enlarge an opening in a patient's tissue to facilitate access to an internal treatment site with a surgical instrument. The insertion device includes an anoscope including a flange, and an elongate body having proximal and distal ends extending distally from the flange along a longitudinal axis. The anoscope may include a configuration that is asymmetrical about a plane extending along the longitudinal axis that bisects the flange.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of surgery, the method comprising:
 inserting an anoscope into an anus of a patient with a bridge of the anoscope positioned past a dentate line, the anoscope including a flange and an elongate body having an outer wall, the flange including a wing and having first and second ends spaced apart from one another to define a gap, the wing being positioned about the flange such that the flange is asymmetrical about a vertical plane bisecting the flange, the outer wall defining a proximal opening and a distal opening longitudinally aligned with one another, the bridge separating the proximal opening and the distal opening;   purse-stringing hemorrhoidal tissue positioned within the outer wall of the anoscope, the hemorrhoidal tissue passing through the distal opening of the anoscope; and   withdrawing the anoscope from the anus of the patient.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein purse-stringing the hemorrhoidal tissue includes rotating the anoscope. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein purse-stringing the hemorrhoidal tissue includes attaching a suture to a first portion of the hemorrhoidal tissue positioned within the outer wall of the anoscope and rotating the anoscope to attach the suture to a second portion of the hemorrhoidal tissue. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising inserting a surgical stapler into the anus of a patient after withdrawing the anoscope. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising assembling an insertion device before inserting the anoscope into the anus of a patient. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein assembling the insertion device includes positioning the anoscope within a port. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein inserting the anoscope into the anus of the patient includes positioning the port in the anus. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising securing the port to the patient. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein assembling the insertion device includes positioning an obturator within the outer wall of the anoscope. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein inserting the anoscope into the anus of the patient includes observing the position of the bridge within the anus of the patient with the obturator during insertion of the anoscope and withdrawing the obturator from the anoscope after the bridge is positioned past the dentate line.