Patent · US Expired

Self-deployed inflatable retractor

US5308327A · kind A · utility

347Cited by
63References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 25, 1991
Grant dateMay 3, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 25, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S128/24
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A medical device such as a retractor or isolation bag including an inflatable member which expands from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration when pressurized gas or liquid is supplied thereto. The member can include a plurality of fluid channels, ribs and pre-shaped wire members. The device is inserted into a body cavity through a tube. The device can also be actuated by a honeycomb reinforcing structure with or without the use of pressurized fluid. The device can be manufactured by forming one or more air conduits in a member of expandable material or by enclosing a honeycomb reinforcing structure in a polymer material.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.