Other

Innovative Surgical Technology, Inc.

Michael R Seitzinger

David Platts

The present invention includes maintaining the region of the proximal lens of a laparoscope at greater than ambient temperature in order to prevent fogging during use. Heating is accomplished using commercially available chemical heat packs generally used for heating boots or gloves, or by using electrically powered heating tape. The invention differs from other anti-fogging devices, which either immerse the distal lens region of the laparoscope in a warm fluid or treat this lens with anti-fogging solutions, in that above-ambient temperature is continuously maintained throughout the laparoscope, since it is known that a cool laparoscope fogs when placed in the vicinity of warm, wet patient tissue.

Method for preventing laparoscope fogging

The present invention includes maintaining the region of the proximal lens of a laparoscope at greater than ambient temperature in order to prevent fogging during use. Heating is accomplished using commercially available chemical heat packs generally used for heating boots or gloves. The invention differs from other anti-fogging devices, which either immerse the distal lens region of the laparoscope in a warm fluid or treat this lens with anti-fogging solutions, in that above-ambient temperature is continuously maintained throughout the laparoscope, since it is known that a cool laparoscope fogs when placed in the vicinity of warm, wet tissue.

A sling is disclosed for retracting a body organ such as the uterus or bowel during a laparoscopic surgical operation. The sling is made of an appropriate material with suitable dimensions so that it can be inserted through a cannula customarily used for laparoscopic surgery. At each end of the sling a suture and surgical needle is provided. In use, the sling is pushed into the abdominal cavity, opened and one needle pushed through the patient's abdominal wall and clamped to anchor the sling. The sling is then positioned to support the body organ, and the second needle passed through the abdominal wall from inside the patient and clamped outside the patient to hold the body organ in the retracted position. After the operation, the sutures inside the body cavity are cut and the sling pulled through a cannula by means of suitable surgical grasping means.

Sling for positioning internal organ during laparoscopic surgery and

A surgical diaphragm for use in laparoscopic gynecological surgery is illustrated and described. Proximal and distal tubes extend from the diaphragm with the end of the proximal tube being accessible to the surgeon. The diaphragm functions to maintain the pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery when a colpotomy is required. The proximal tube may be sealed in such a way as to permit fluid egress and ingress to the surgical site through the colpotomy, and also to permit surgical tools to be inserted through the tubes.

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Green Lake, WI, United States of America

Michael R Seitzinger