Anti-Extravasation Surgical Portal Plug

Abstract

The devices and methods shown provide for the minimization of extravasation during arthroscopic surgery. The anti-extravasation surgical portal plug allows a surgeon to drain excess fluids from the soft tissue surrounding the surgical field during arthroscopic surgical procedures.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of performing arthroscopic surgery, said method comprising:
 forming a surgical portal in the body of a patient;   providing an arthroscopic instrument suitable for performing an arthroscopic surgical procedure;   inserting the arthroscopic instrument into the surgical portal;   performing an arthroscopic surgical procedure;   providing a surgical portal plug, said plug comprising:
 a close-ended sheath characterized by a distal portion, a central portion, a proximal portion, an outer surface, and a central lumen; 
 a control valve disposed on the proximal portion of the close-ended sheath in fluid communication with the central lumen; 
 a plurality of drainage apertures disposed on the central portion of the sheath on the sheath outer surface in fluid communication with the central lumen; and 
 a retention system disposed about an outer surface of the sheath; 
   removing the arthroscopic instrument;   inserting the portal plug into the surgical portal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the retention system comprises a plurality of retention features consisting of a series of ridges circumferentially disposed around the proximal portion of the sheath. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the retention system comprises separate devices coupled to the outer surface of the sheath. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the retention system comprises a plurality of retention features consisting of cup-shaped depressions with atraumatic edges, each of the plurality of cup-shaped depressions positioned to surround each of the plurality of drainage apertures. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the retention system comprises a plurality of retention features consisting of ridges disposed around the proximal portion of the sheath, wherein the retention feature ridges are in the shape of a threaded screw. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the surgical portal plug further comprises a drainage port in fluid communication with the control valve.