Endoscopic inflatable retraction device
US6605037B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 26, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/306
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An inflatable retraction apparatus is provided for retracing an organ inside a body to gain access to an adjacent tissue. The apparatus includes an able chamber formed from a single thin envelope, and capable of being collapsed for insertion through an incision and being expanded to a predetermined shape for retracing the organ. An inflation mechanism is adapted to selectively inflate the chamber to the predetermined shape. The inflation mechanism includes at least one inflation tube attached to the inflatable chamber in fluid communication theretween, and an inflatable maintaining lattice operatively enveloping the inflatable chamber and in operative association with the inflation mechanism. The inflatable maintaining lattice defines a plurality of single layered access windows around the inflatable chamber, and is configured and adapted to maintain the inflatable chamber in substantially the predetermined shape after an aperture is pierced in at least one of the plurality of access windows of the inflatable chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.