Surgical instruments for engaging tissue to stabilize tissue and facilitate tissue manipulation

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a stationary shaft defining a conduit and a movable shaft slidably disposed therein. A surgical tool extends distally from the movable shaft and a cup extends distally from the stationary shaft. The cup includes a body defining one or more channels, an annular rim disposed at the distal end portion thereof and defining a plurality of apertures each in fluid communication with one of the channels, and a cap disposed at the proximal end portion of the body and defining a lumen fluidly coupling the one or more channels with the conduit. A central aperture of the cap slidably receives the surgical tool and/or the movable shaft as the movable shaft slides from a retracted position, wherein the surgical tool is disposed proximally of the distal end portion of the cup, and an extended position, wherein the surgical tool extends through and distally from the cup.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a cup defining a central opening and at least one channel, each channel extending to an aperture defined at a distal end portion of the cup; and   a cap disposed at a proximal end portion of the cup, the cap defining a central opening in communication with the central opening of the cup to define a passageway therethrough, the cap defining a lumen disposed in fluid communication with the at least one channel, the lumen adapted to connect to a suction source for applying suction through the at least one channel,   wherein the passageway defined by the central opening of the cup and the central opening of the cap is configured to slidably receive a movable shaft having a surgical tool at a distal end portion thereof.   
     
     
         21 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 20 , further comprising a stationary shaft extending proximally from the cap, the stationary shaft defining a conduit extending therethrough, the conduit disposed in communication with the passageway and configured to slidably receive the movable shaft therethrough. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least one aperture of the cup is defined through an annular distal rim of the cup. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 22 , further including a compliant annular ring disposed about the annular distal rim of the cup, wherein the at least one aperture extends through the compliant annular rim. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 20 , wherein the surgical tool is a tissue-engaging implement. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 24 , wherein the tissue-engaging implement is a screw. 
     
     
         26 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a stationary shaft defining a conduit extending therethrough;   a cup defining a central opening and at least one channel, each channel extending to an aperture defined at a distal end portion of the cup; and   a cap disposed at a proximal end portion of the cup, the cap defining a central opening communicatively coupling the conduit of the stationary shaft with the central opening of the cup to define a passageway therethrough, the cap defining a lumen disposed in fluid communication with the at least one channel, the lumen adapted to connect to a suction source for applying suction through the at least one channel,   wherein the passageway is configured to slidably receive a movable shaft having a surgical tool at a distal end portion thereof.   
     
     
         27 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one aperture of the cup is defined through an annular distal rim of the cup. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 27 , further including a compliant annular ring disposed about the annular distal rim of the cup, wherein the at least one aperture extends through the compliant annular rim. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 26 , wherein the surgical tool is a tissue-engaging implement. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 29 , wherein the tissue-engaging implement is a screw. 
     
     
         31 . A surgical system, comprising:
 a pump; and   a surgical instrument, including:
 a cup defining a central opening and at least one channel, each channel extending to an aperture defined at a distal end portion of the cup; and 
 a cap disposed at a proximal end portion of the cup, the cap defining a central opening in communication with the central opening of the cup to define a passageway therethrough, the cap defining a lumen disposed in fluid communication with the at least one channel, the lumen fluidly coupled to the pump, 
 wherein the passageway defined by the central opening of the cup and the central opening of the cap is configured to slidably receive a movable shaft having a surgical tool at a distal end portion thereof. 
   wherein, upon activation of the pump, suction is established through the lumen, the at least one channel, and the at least one aperture.   
     
     
         32 . The surgical system according to  claim 31 , wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a stationary shaft extending proximally from the cap, the stationary shaft defining a conduit extending therethrough, the conduit disposed in communication with the passageway and configured to slidably receive the movable shaft therethrough. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical system according to  claim 31 , wherein the at least one aperture of the cup is defined through an annular distal rim of the cup. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical system according to  claim 33 , wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a compliant annular ring disposed about the annular distal rim of the cup, wherein the at least one aperture extends through the compliant annular rim. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical system according to  claim 31 , wherein the surgical tool is a tissue-engaging implement. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical system according to  claim 35 , wherein the tissue-engaging implement is a screw.