Insightra Medica, Inc.

Abstract:

A pressure and a vision regulation method and device for irrigation of a body cavity (1), in which an inflow liquid pump (2) pressurizes the irrigation liquid in a feed line (13) and an outflow device (3) or an external suction source (20) drains the irrigation liquid from the body cavity (1) through a tubing (16) into a waste container (17). A control unit (4) controls either the inflow liquid pump (2) only or both the inflow liquid pump (2) and the outflow device (3) depending on an inflow irrigation liquid pressure from a pressure sensor (5). The
method and the device are combined with a method for detecting blood cells, red blood cells, haemoglobin and/or debris in liquid coming from a surgical site to provide an automatic control and rinsing system with clear vision in the viewing area of the operational site.

Claim 1: 

A pressure regulation method of an irrigation liquid at a surgical site in a body cavity (1), in which method an inflow liquid pump (2) pressurizes the irrigation liquid in a feed line (13) and in which an outflow device (3) drains the irrigation liquid from the body cavity (1) through a tubing (16) and in which a control unit (4) controls both the inflow liquid pump (2) and the outflow device (3) depending on an inflow irrigation liquid pressure from a pressure sensor (5), characterized in that the control unit (4) compares the inflow irrigation liquid pressure and flow values with pressures calculated to correspond to pressures in the body cavity for the respective flow, and that alignment between the pressure values is made by altering the effect of the inflow liquid pump (2) and/or the outflow liquid device (3), the method further characterized in that the inflow irrigation liquid pressure depends on detected and registered signals from optical sensors (21,22) provided at the tubing (16) on the outflow site of the body cavity (1), the optical sensors comprising a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor, the method further utilizing a debris identification module (25) for registering the amount of debris in the liquid coming out from the surgical site and a separate blood identification module (26) for registering the amount of blood cells, red blood cells, and/or haemoglobin, wherein each of the identification modules is provided for cooperation with one or both of the sensors (21, 22), and wherein the method further comprises utilizing a second control unit (24) that increases the effect of the inflow and/or outflow liquid pump (3a) to rinse the surgical site until a level of clear vision in the module is reached so that the control unit (4) automatically increases the flow of the inflow irrigation liquid when the amount of debris is increased in the irrigation liquid in, or coming out of, the surgical site or regulates the pump so that the pressure of the irrigation liquid is increased when the amount of blood or haemoglobin is increased in or coming out of the surgical site.

Abstract:

A space in a muscle wall such as the inguinal canal is dilated to break up fibrotic bands by divulsion. While the space is dilated a dynamic plug is advanced into it, with the plug expanding and contracting with the space. Shields may be placed against opposite sides of the wall surrounding the space.

Claim 1: 

Apparatus comprising:

a fibrotic band interrupter juxtaposable with a space surrounded by a muscle wall and operable to break at least one fibrotic band in the wall to at least partially restore contractibility of the muscle wall, an ovular-shaped rigid hollow olive being provided on an outer surface at a deploying end of the interrupter, a plunger being slidably disposed in the interrupter to deploy an implant during dilation; and

at least one implant disposable in the space and slidably engageable with the interrupter, the implant being biased to a radially enlarged configuration, the implant assuming a radially contracted configuration when the muscle wall causes the space to contract, the implant assuming the radially enlarged configuration when the muscle wall causes the space to dilate such that the implant remains in contact with the muscle wall surrounding the space.

Abstract:

A mesh to repair a hole in a muscle wall includes a resilient mesh body and fortifying structure such as mesh portions of thicker weave than other portions, or strengthening

members that can be engaged with the mesh and then removed from the mesh once the mesh is place over the hole. The same principles can be applied to a plug that is engaged with the mesh for filling the hole.

Claim 1: 

Apparatus, comprising:

a flexible mesh having an insertion configuration, in which the mesh is radially smaller than a muscle hole to facilitate advancing the mesh into the hole, and an implanted configuration, in which the mesh is larger than the hole such that the mesh can block the hole, the mesh defining a mesh plane in the implanted configuration and the mesh includes fibers and a first strengthening member is engaged with a periphery of the mesh and includes fibers and the fibers of the first strengthening member individually are no larger than fiber of the mesh; and

a plug engaged with the mesh and having a top periphery defining plural petal-shaped lobes configured to fill the muscle hole to be repaired, the top periphery of the plug being spaced from the mesh plane when the mesh is in the implanted configuration.