Minimally invasive appendectomy device and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024180557-A1
Application number	US-202118287491-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 23, 2021
Priority date	Apr 23, 2021
Publication date	Jun 6, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and devices for minimally-invasive appendectomies. The methods may comprise inserting an inverter apparatus into an interior cavity of the appendix of a subject and inverting the appendix, closing the base portion of the inverted appendix with the one or more closure devices, separating the inverted appendix from the cecum with a separation apparatus positioned at the base portion of the inverted appendix adjacent to the one or more closure devices, and removing the separated appendix from the subject through the colon.

First claim

1 . A method for minimally-invasive appendectomy comprising:
inserting an inverter apparatus into an interior cavity of the appendix of a subject; engaging the inverter apparatus with an interior wall of the appendix; inverting the appendix by pulling the inverter apparatus into the cecum until the appendix is substantially inverted; positioning one or more closure devices around a base portion of the inverted appendix; closing the base portion of the inverted appendix with the one or more closure devices; positioning a separation apparatus at the base portion of the inverted appendix adjacent to the one or more closure devices; separating the inverted appendix from the cecum with the separation apparatus; and removing the separated appendix from the subject.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the inverter apparatus comprises a plurality of arms.

3 - 5 . (canceled)

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the base of the inverted appendix is substantially aligned with an outer wall of the cecum.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the separation apparatus comprises a metal wire.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the separation apparatus uses electromagnetic radiation at frequencies between 350-500 KHz.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the separation apparatus uses electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths between 800-1500 nm.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the separated appendix remains engaged by the inverter apparatus.

11 . (canceled)

12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prior to removing the inverted appendix from the subject, positioning a size reduction apparatus around the inverted appendix in the cecum; and engaging the size reduction apparatus to reduce the size of the appendix to facilitate removal of the inverted appendix from the subject.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein a cross-section of the inverted appendix is reduced to a width of 24 French or less.

14 . (canceled)

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the size reduction apparatus comprises articulating arms.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the size reduction apparatus further comprises a metallic or polymeric mesh.

17 . (canceled)

18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the size reduction apparatus comprises a cutting device.

19 . (canceled)

20 . A medical device comprising:
a head comprising at least one arm extending outwardly from a first position of the head, wherein the at least one arm comprises at least one of a hooked, pointed, jagged, or rounded tip; and a handle connected to a second position of the head.

21 . The device of claim 20 , wherein the head comprises a plurality of arms.

22 . (canceled)

23 . The device of claim 20 , wherein the at least one arm is articulating.

24 . The device of claim 23 , wherein the handle further comprises a lever to articulate the at least one arm.

25 . The device of claim 20 , wherein the device comprises stainless steel, a cobalt chrome alloy, a nickel aluminum alloy, or a nickel titanium alloy.

26 - 28 . (canceled)

29 . A kit comprising:
an inverter apparatus; one or more closure devices; and a separation apparatus.

30 . The kit of claim 29 , further comprising a size reduction apparatus.

31 . The kit of claim 29 , further comprising a catheter.

32 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Univ Wake Forest Health Sciences

Inventors

• Smith James A
• Johnson James E

Classifications

• A61B17/12013 Primary

  for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery · CPC title

• A61B2017/00823

  Appendectomy · CPC title

• A61B2017/12018

  Elastic band ligators · CPC title

• A61B17/32056 Primary

  Surgical snare instruments (for removing or smashing calculi A61B2017/2212; tonsillotomes A61B17/26) · CPC title

• A61B2017/3488

  Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue · CPC title