Patent · US Expired

Expandable cannula having longitudinal wire and method of use

US5320611A · kind A · utility

527Cited by
16References
46Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 4, 1993
Grant dateJun 14, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 4, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M2025/0095
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Cannulas for surgical and medical use expand along their entire lengths. The cannulas are inserted through tissue when in an unexpanded condition and with a small diameter. The cannulas are then expanded radially outwardly to give a full-size instrument passage. Expansion of the cannulas occurs against the viscoelastic resistance of the surrounding tissue. The expandable cannulas do not require a full depth incision, or at most require only a needle-size entrance opening.

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