Expandable cannulas
US5573517A · kind A · utility
229Cited by
21References
4Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2014 |
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.