Functional uterine manipulator

Abstract

A uterine manipulator can include a shaft including a first end, a second end, and a channel along an axis of the shaft, a handle coupled to the first end of the shaft, and a triangular balloon coupled to the second end of the shaft. The triangular balloon can be configured to inflate upon insertion into a vagina via a fluid injected into the channel of the shaft.19511854v1

1 . A uterine manipulator, comprising:
 a shaft including a first end, a second end, and a channel along an axis of the shaft, wherein the shaft includes a groove;   a handle coupled to the first end of the shaft;   a balloon coupled to the second end of the shaft;   a cup, the cup including a projection that interfaces with the groove of the shaft and is configured to be positioned at a juncture between a cervix and the vagina;   a fluid reservoir including fluid disposed therein in fluid communication with the balloon; and   an actuator operably coupled to the fluid reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The uterine manipulator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pneumooccluder coupled to the shaft;   a first end of a filling tube coupled to a fluid inlet; and   a second end of the filling tube coupled to the pneumooccluder.   
     
     
         3 . The uterine manipulator of  claim 1 , wherein the tip assembly is pivotable about the first axis a range of degrees to enable both raising and lowering the uterus. 
     
     
         4 . The uterine manipulator of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is constructed of a non-rigid, flexible material. 
     
     
         5 . The uterine manipulator of  claim 1 , wherein the cup portion includes a cutter wire configured to be articulated around the circumference of the cup portion. 
     
     
         6 . The uterine manipulator of  claim 5 , wherein the cup portion includes a projection that initially pushes the cutter wire through the tissue when the cup portion is positioned at the juncture between the cervix and the vagina. 
     
     
         7 . The uterine manipulator of  claim 5 , wherein the cutter wire includes a looped tip configured to engage a laparoscopic instrument. 
     
     
         8 . A method of performing a hysterectomy on a patient with a uterine manipulator including a cutting assembly rotatably disposed about a main shaft of the uterine manipulator, the cutting assembly including a cup portion, a cutting handle and a cutter wire, the method comprising:
 inserting the uterine manipulator into the vagina until the cup portion reaches a juncture between the patient's vagina and the patient's cervix; and   rotating the cutter about the shaft to separate the patient's vagina from the patient's cervix by manipulating the cutting handle.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising piercing tissue at the juncture of the cervix and the vagina with the cutter wire. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising advancing the cutter outwardly from the cup portion in order to pierce the tissue. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising retracting the cutter inwardly and inserting the uterine manipulator further into the uterus. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cutter is electrified with electrical current. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical current is applied using a monopolar configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical current is applied using a bipolar configuration.