Instruments and methods for minimally invasive vascular procedures
US6036713A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/320044
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A 360.degree. dissection instrument and method for accomplishing an atraumatic blunt dissection of connective tissues in 360.degree. around the circumference of a saphenous vein and branch veins to facilitate a minimally invasive harvesting of the vein. The 360.degree. pulsable dissector has an elongate body with a distal dissecting surface that is progressively "circumferential" or "wrapped" around an axial vessel-receiving passageway or channel. The dissecting surface includes a longitudinal gap that has a reduced transverse dimension in the proximal direction to funnel branch veins through the gap. The wrapped dissecting surface includes an "active" periphery incorporating a pulsable expansion structure of elastomeric material having and interior pressurizable chamber. An inflation lumen in the dissector body communicates with a pressure source and a pulse-control mechanism. A single pulse will move the expansion structure in a "pulse cycle" through an "expansion phase" and a "contraction" phase at pulse intervals ranging from 1/second to 100/second. In one embodiment, endoscopic viewing means are provided within the body of the dissector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.