Organ retraction device

Abstract

A disclosed medical device may have a sling, a first needle coupled to a first end of the sling and a second needle coupled to the second end of the sling. The first needle may be coupled via a first suture having one point of attachment on the sling, and the second needle may be coupled via a second suture having two points of attachment on the sling. The sling may be used in laparoscopic surgeries and is intended to, if desired, be left in place during the procedure. The sling is further configured to allow a surgeon to visualize the full and proper surgical field by holding and retaining at least one organ.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 : A method of organ retraction comprising:
 inserting a medical device into a body cavity of a patient, wherein the medical device includes:
 a triangular sling, 
 a first needle coupled to a first end of the triangular sling via a first suture, and 
 a second needle coupled to a second end of the triangular sling via a second suture; 
   attaching the first needle to a first anatomical location of the patient; and   attaching the second needle to a second anatomical location of the patient,   wherein an organ in the body cavity is supported by the triangular sling.   
     
     
         2 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first anatomical location is a diaphragm of the patient. 
     
     
         3 : The method of  claim 2 , wherein attaching the first needle to the diaphragm includes hooking the first needle onto the diaphragm. 
     
     
         4 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second anatomical location is an abdominal wall of the patient. 
     
     
         5 : The method of  claim 4 , wherein attaching the second needle to the abdominal wall includes inserting the second needle through the abdominal wall. 
     
     
         6 : The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second needle is a Keith suture needle. 
     
     
         7 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the organ is a liver. 
     
     
         8 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is inserted into the body cavity of the patient via a laparoscopic port. 
     
     
         9 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the triangular sling supports the organ in a hammock configuration. 
     
     
         10 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the triangular sling is comprised of a polypropylene mesh fabric. 
     
     
         11 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the triangular sling has an isosceles triangle profile. 
     
     
         12 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device includes a reinforcement material disposed along a periphery of the triangular sling. 
     
     
         13 : The method of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcement material is comprised of silicone. 
     
     
         14 : The method of  claim 12 , wherein the triangular sling is affixed to the reinforcement material via a plurality of securement tabs. 
     
     
         15 : A method of organ retraction comprising:
 inserting a medical device into a body cavity of a patient, wherein the medical device includes:
 a sling, 
 a curved needle coupled to a first end of the sling, and 
 a straight needle coupled to a second end of the sling; 
   hooking the curved needle to a first anatomical location of the patient; and   inserting the straight needle through a second anatomical location of the patient,   wherein an organ in the body cavity is supported by the sling.   
     
     
         16 : The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first anatomical location is a diaphragm of the patient. 
     
     
         17 : The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second anatomical location is an abdominal wall of the patient. 
     
     
         18 : The method of  claim 15 , wherein the organ is a liver. 
     
     
         19 : The method of  claim 15 , wherein the medical device includes a reinforcement material disposed along a periphery of the sling. 
     
     
         20 : The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sling is affixed to the reinforcement material via a plurality of securement tabs.