US 11,871,961 B2
Trocar positioning apparatus and methods for use
Joseph Rimsa, Palo Alto, CA (US); and Geoffrey C. Gurtner, Portola Valley, CA (US)
Assigned to Tautona Group IP Holding Company, LLC, Redwood City, CA (US)
Filed by Tautona Group IP Holding Company, LLC, Redwood City, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 14, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/993,779.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/948,050, filed on Dec. 13, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0177457 A1, Jun. 17, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/3423 (2013.01) [A61B 17/3474 (2013.01); A61B 17/3496 (2013.01); A61B 17/3498 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00951 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3413 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3492 (2013.01); A61B 2217/005 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for positioning an instrument, comprising:
a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface wherein the substrate comprises a flexible substrate which is reconfigurable to conform to a tissue surface;
an instrument positioning guide projecting from the first surface of the substrate; and
one or more suction assemblies positioned along the second surface, each of the one or more suction assemblies having a suction housing which projects from the second surface and forms a suction chamber for placement against the tissue surface,
wherein the second surface of the substrate is configured to releasably adhere to the tissue surface via the one or more suction assemblies which are each in fluid communication through an interior defined between the first surface and the second surface of the substrate and with an opening defined in the substrate.