Active cannulas
US6358266B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/006
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An active cannula or sleeve which does more than merely maintain a channel or passage is usable to create and/or enlarge a channel or passage, to position a scope or instrument, to move or locate tissue, etc. The cannula can vary in size or shape as needed, intraoperatively. Because a cannula of the present invention is expandable, the surgeon can make a small relatively small incision, stretch the tissue with the expandable cannula, contract the cannula and remove it, allowing the skin to come back to its unstretched condition. Thus, a smaller incision can be made to fit the same size instrument. This results in less trauma and scarring and an easier operation. The cannulas are or can assume such a non-circular shape, to fit into a natural skin opening and cause less trauma. The devices can be used to seal off a space; to expand an existing space or a potential space for working or visualization; to move tissue (for example, to stretch an incision) or to protect it.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.