Insert and insert system for a laparoscopic instrument

Abstract

An insert 30 comprises a rod 32 having a proximal end 34 and a distal end 36. The insert 30 also comprises a tool 38 which is demountably coupled to the distal end 36. Proximal end 34 is formed with a ball 40 which is configured to seat and engage in a socket of a handle 12 of a laparoscopic instrument 10. The rod 32 fits within a sheath 14 of the laparoscopic instrument 10. The distal end 36 of the rod 32 is provided with an attachment head 42 to facilitate the attachment of the tool 38. A linkage mechanism 44 in the attachment head 42 converts the linear motion of the insert 30 (and in particular rod 32 ) relative to the outer sheath 14 to a pivotal motion.

1 . An insert for a laparoscopic instrument having a handle and an outer sheath coupled to the handle, the insert comprising:
 a rod configured to fit within the outer sheath and engage at its proximal end the handle, and   a tool demountably coupled to a distal end of the rod.   
     
     
         2 . The insert according to  claim 1  comprising a linkage mechanism which converts linear motion of the rod relative to the outer sheath to a pivotal motion of, or a component of, the tool of up to at least 150°. 
     
     
         3 . The insert according to  claim 2  wherein the tool is provided with a suture aperture opening for receiving a suture. 
     
     
         4 . The inert according to  claim 3  wherein the suture opening is either a suture hole or a suture slot wherein the suture slot extends along a length of the tool and is provided with an opening enabling a suture material to enter the suture slot. 
     
     
         5 . The insert according to  claim 4  wherein the tool comprises a suture needle. 
     
     
         6 . The insert according to  claim 5  wherein the needle comprises a straight shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The insert according to  claim 5  wherein the needle comprises a curved shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The insert according to  claim 5  wherein a distal end of the needle: (a) tapers conically to a point; (b) tapers linearly to a point to produce a cutting edge; or (c) is provided with a rounded end. 
     
     
         9 . The insert according to  claim 4  wherein the tool comprises (a) a ureteric tunneller having either a straight shaft provided with one of a spherical tip or an ellipsoid tip, (b) a dissector, or (c) a myoretractor having either a straight shaft or a corkscrew shaped shaft. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The insert according to  claim 9  wherein the dissector comprises a shaft, a reduced thickness tip at a distal end of the shaft and a straight edge at a distal end of the tip lying perpendicular to a length of the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The insert according to  claim 11  wherein the reduced thickness tip has at least one planar surface and/or wherein the reduced thickness tip is curved in configuration. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The insert according to  claim 12  comprising a longitudinal slot formed in the reduced thickness tip and opening onto the straight edge. 
     
     
         15 . The insert according to  claim 11  wherein the shaft is provided with a dovetail slot extending along a longitudinal axis of the shaft and inboard of the tip. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The insert according to  claim 4  wherein the tool comprises a myoretractor having a straight shaft and a hook at a distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The insert according to  claim 2  wherein the tool comprises a scalpel. 
     
     
         19 . The insert according to  claim 2  wherein the tool comprises a peeling blade provided with a longitudinal slot the slot having mutually facing longitudinal cutting ends. 
     
     
         20 . An insert system for a laparoscopic instrument having a handle and an outer sheath coupled to the handle, the insert system comprising;
 a rod configured to fit within the outer sheath and engage at its proximal end the handle; and   a plurality of tools each being demountably attachable to a distal end of the rod.   
     
     
         21 . The insert system according to  claim 20  wherein the plurality of tools comprises of at least two tools of different configuration. 
     
     
         22 . The insert system according to  claim 20  wherein the plurality of tools comprise two or more of the tools selected from the group consisting of: a suture needle; a ureteric tunneller having a straight shaft provided with a spherical tip; a ureteric tunneller having a straight shaft provided with an ellipsoid tip; a ureteric tunneller having a curved shaft provided with a spherical tip; a ureteric tunneller having a curved shaft provided with an ellipsoid tip; a dissector; dissector having a shaft, a reduced thickness tip at a distal end of the shaft and a straight edge at a distal end of the tip lying perpendicular to a length of the shaft; a myoretractor having either a straight shaft or a corkscrew shaped shaft; a myoretractor having a straight shaft and a hook at a distal end of the shaft; a scalpel; and a peeling blade provided with a longitudinal slot the slot having mutually facing longitudinal cutting edges; any of the above tools having a suture slot wherein the suture slot extends along a length of the tool and is provided with an opening enabling a suture material to enter the suture slot. 
     
     
         23 . A method of using a laparoscopic instrument to perform a laparoscopic surgery, the method comprising:
 inserting a linkage portion of a laparoscopic insert through a trocar into a body cavity;   manipulating a handle of the laparoscopic instrument to:
 pivot the linkage portion within the body cavity from an insertion state to a pivoted state; 
 drive a tool coupled to the linkage portion into a body tissue; and 
 pivot the linkage portion within the body cavity back to the insertion state; and 
   removing the linkage portion of the laparoscopic insert from the body cavity through the trocar.