Abstract A multifunctional device for use in an endoscopically performed operative procedure of the type where a narrow portal is established through the skin to provide access to an operative site and the multifunctional device is introduced to the operative site through the narrow portal. The multifunctional device is formed of an absorbent material, preferably expandable, having a substantially rigid dry state prior to introduction to the operative site and a soft, flexible wet state after absorbing fluids. The absorbent material can be formed with a spine therein of either a continuous or a discontinuous, segmented construction, and the spine can be branched and tubular or solid. The absorbent material can have portions or segments thereof expandable to different sizes to produce rounded protuberances to facilitate manipulation at the operative site and can have predetermined, non-straight configurations in the wet state, the predetermined configurations being controlled by the spine in the absorbent material or the method of forming the absorbent material. The multifunctional device can have a passage therethrough to accommodate laser, electrosurgical, biopsy or culturing instruments.
A device for use in an endoscopically performed operative procedure of the type where a narrow portal is established through the skin to provide access to an operative site and the device is introduced to the operative site through the narrow portal, said device comprising elongate sponge means having a configuration in a compressed dry state to pass through the portal and an expanded configuration in a wet state after absorbing body fluids, and spine means disposed in said sponge means including a trunk extending longitudinally through said sponge means and a plurality of branches extending from said trunk, said branches being positioned in a substantially parallel alignment with said trunk when said sponge means is in said dry state and said branches moving outwardly from said trunk when said sponge means is in said wet state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A device for use in an endoscopically performed operative procedure of the type where a narrow portal is established through the skin to provide access to an operative site and the device is introduced to the operative site through the narrow portal, said device comprising elongate sponge means having a configuration in a compressed dry state to pass through the portal and an expanded configuration in a wet state after absorbing body fluids, and spine means disposed in said sponge means including a trunk extending longitudinally through said sponge means and a plurality of branches extending from said trunk, said branches being positioned in a substantially parallel alignment with said trunk when said sponge means is in said dry state and said branches moving outwardly from said trunk when said sponge means is in said wet state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said branches are connected with said trunk along the length of said trunk.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said branches are connected with a distal end of said trunk.