Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for developing an anatomic space for laparoscopic procedures with laparoscopic visualization

US6004337A · kind A · utility

71Cited by
88References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 15, 1997
Grant dateDec 21, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 15, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M29/02
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body of a patient using a cannula with proximal and distal extremities and a bore extending therethrough to provide an open end. A balloon having an inflated space is provided. The balloon is capable of assuming collapsed and inflated conditions. A retainer is carried by the balloon for forming the balloon when in a collapsed condition into a generally cylindrical roll to aid in inserting the balloon into the tissue. An obturator shaft having a rounded distal end is sized so that it extends through the cannula and into the roll. A laparoscope can be introduced into the obturator shaft to permit viewing through the obturator shaft and the balloon. An inflation tube is provided for inflating the balloon after it is disposed in the tissue to cause the balloon to progressively expand to create separation forces in the tissue to create the anatomic space.

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