Vaginal surgical apparatus

Abstract

This invention relates generally to a medical device, and more specifically, to a vaginal surgical apparatus. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes, but is not limited to, an elongated handle portion; a vaginal manipulator probe that is at least partly insertable into a vagina, the vaginal manipulator probe extending from the elongated handle portion and including an arcuate end portion, the arcuate end portion including an aperture for accommodating a cervix; and a disk that is movable along at least a portion of a length of the vaginal manipulator probe, the disk including a locking mechanism to releasably secure the disk in position to limit vaginal insertion depth of the vaginal manipulator probe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an elongated handle portion having a first end and a second end;   a vaginal manipulator probe that is at least partly insertable into a vagina, the vaginal manipulator probe extending from the elongated handle portion and including an arcuate end portion, the arcuate end portion including an aperture for accommodating a cervix; and   a disk that is movable along at least a portion of a length of the vaginal manipulator probe, the disk including a locking mechanism to releasably secure the disk in position along the portion of the length of the vaginal manipulator probe to limit vaginal insertion depth of the vaginal manipulator probe.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated handle portion is a cylindrical shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated handle portion includes a recessed portion proximate the second end for accommodating a thumb. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vaginal manipulator probe is releasable from the elongated handle portion. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vaginal manipulator probe and the elongated handle portion are a unitary structure. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated handle portion includes a first bollard tab and a second bollard tab opposite the first bollard tab for releasably securing ends of a suture. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vaginal manipulator probe has an oval cross-sectional shape along a length of a longitudinal axis of the vaginal manipulator probe. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vaginal manipulator probe includes a first portion having a first cross-sectional width that flares to a second portion having a second cross-sectional width that is greater than the first-cross-sectional width, wherein the first portion and the second portion have substantially similar cross-sectional heights. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vaginal manipulator probe includes a first portion having a notch track for interfacing with the locking mechanism of the disk. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vaginal manipulator probe includes a second portion having a flattened oval cross-sectional shape, the second portion having a linear portion along a longitudinal axis that becomes arcuate proximate an end of the vaginal manipulator probe. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture of the arcuate end portion of the vaginal manipulator probe extends as a channel from a top surface of the vaginal manipulator probe through to a bottom surface of the vaginal manipulator probe. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is positioned approximately midway along a length of the arcuate end portion of the vaginal manipulator probe. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vaginal manipulator probe includes an end portion that curls back to define a bullous tip. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the disk is movable along a portion of a length of the vaginal manipulator probe having a notch track. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the disk includes a sleeve portion that circumscribes the vaginal manipulator probe. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the disk includes a spring loaded latch that is tensionally biased against a notch track of the vaginal manipulator probe. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the disk includes a latch having an adjustable tension lever that locks the latch in position against a notch track of the vaginal manipulator probe. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the disk includes a lateral surface that circumscribes the vaginal manipulator probe, the lateral surface being operable to rest against an outside surface of a vulva when the vaginal manipulator probe is inserted within the vagina. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising:
 a movable handle portion including a grip and an articulating joint;   a vaginal manipulator probe that is at least partly insertable into a vagina, the vaginal manipulator probe extending from the movable handle portion at the articulating joint and including an arcuate end portion, the arcuate end portion including an aperture for accommodating a cervix; and   a disk that is movable along at least a portion of a length of the vaginal manipulator probe, the disk including a locking mechanism to releasably secure the disk in position along the portion of the length of the vaginal manipulator probe to limit vaginal insertion depth of the vaginal manipulator probe.   
     
     
         20 . An apparatus comprising:
 a handle portion;   a vaginal manipulator probe that is at least partly insertable into a vagina, the vaginal manipulator probe extending from the handle portion and including an arcuate end portion, the arcuate end portion including an channel for accommodating a cervix;   one or more LED lights disposed on the vaginal manipulator probe for illuminating vaginal tissue;   at least one camera positioned with a field of view of the channel to permit visualization of a cervix relative to the channel;   at least one battery receptacle within the handle portion;   at least one button or switch operable to control operation of the one or more LED lights;   at least one communication link for transferring image data to at least one display unit, the at least one communication link being either a wired communication link or a wireless communication link; and   a disk that is movable along at least a portion of a length of the vaginal manipulator probe, the disk including a locking mechanism to releasably secure the disk in position along the portion of the length of the vaginal manipulator probe to limit vaginal insertion depth of the vaginal manipulator probe.