Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for use in laparoscopic hernia repair, comprising the steps of: inserting a distal end of a laparoscope through a patient's abdominal muscles to a point outside of the patient's parietal peritoneum; inserting through said abdominal muscles a distal end of a separate elongate instrument to a point between said abdominal muscles and the parietal peritoneum, said elongate instrument provided at said distal end with a balloon in a collapsed configuration, said balloon being formed of material transparent to optical radiation; upon disposition of said balloon between said abdominal muscles and the parietal peritoneum, inflating said balloon; manipulating said elongate instrument to push the inflated balloon against connective tissues between the abdominal muscles and the parietal peritoneum to shift said connective tissues to form a pre-peritoneal space; and using said laparoscope during said step of manipulating to view the connective tissues by optically radiating through and around the transparent material of the inflated balloon.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for use in laparoscopic hernia repair, comprising the steps of: inserting a distal end of a laparoscope through a patient's abdominal muscles to a point outside of the patient's parietal peritoneum; inserting through said abdominal muscles a distal end of a separate elongate instrument to a point between said abdominal muscles and the parietal peritoneum, said elongate instrument provided at said distal end with a balloon in a collapsed configuration, said balloon being formed of material transparent to optical radiation; upon disposition of said balloon between said abdominal muscles and the parietal peritoneum, inflating said balloon; manipulating said elongate instrument to push the inflated balloon against connective tissues between the abdominal muscles and the parietal peritoneum to shift said connective tissues to form a pre-peritoneal space; and using said laparoscope during said step of manipulating to view the connective tissues by optically radiating through and around the transparent material of the inflated balloon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of infusing a gaseous composition into said space to expand the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method defined in claim 2 wherein said gaseous composition is carbon dioxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said laparoscope is provided with a biopsy channel, and wherein said step of inserting said elongate instrument further comprises inserting said elongate instrument through said biopsy channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method defined in claim 4, further comprising the step, performed prior to said steps of inserting, of disposing a trocar sleeve in the abdominal muscles, and wherein said step of inserting said laparoscope further comprises inserting said laparoscope through said trocar sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said elongate instrument with said balloon is inserted through the abdominal muscles at a point spaced from an insertion point of said laparoscope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method defined in claim 6, further comprising the step, performed prior to said steps of inserting, of disposing a trocar sleeve in the abdominal muscles, and wherein said step of inserting said elongate instrument further comprises inserting said elongate instrument through said trocar sleeve.