Patent US5450843A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5450843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retraction apparatus and methods for endoscopic surgery
Assignee: Covidien AG
•
Filing: 1994-03-14
•
Granted: 1995-09-19
•
Expires: 2014-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A first inflatable retraction device has a first inflatable chamber and a non-pressurized chamber inside the main chamber. The non-pressurized chamber is expanded by inflating a second inflatable chamber. The non-pressurized chamber enables the main chamber to remain inflated when an aperture is cut in the envelope of the main chamber, through which treatment is carried out. A second inflatable retraction device has an inflatable retractor and a maintainer. The inflatable retractor retracts the organ and the maintainer maintains the organ in its retracted condition after the inflatable retractor is deflated. The maintainer can be inflatable, and can be inside or outside the inflatable retractor. A self-retracting endoscope has an optical assembly with an expandable retractor fitted to its distal end. The distal end of the endoscope is inserted into the body with the retractor in a collapsed condition. The retractor is then expanded to retract organs that would otherwise obstruct the view from the distal end of the optical assembly. After observations are complete, the retractor is returned to its collapsed condition. An insertion tube enables cylindrical objects, such as packaged inflatable retraction devices, to be pulled, instead of pushed, into the body. The additional chamber of an inflatable retraction device having two inflatable chambers is filled with a slurry of a particulate solid in a liquid. The liquid is removed and the additional chamber evacuated to consolidate the particulate solid. This increases the retracting strength of the additional chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederic H. Moll
- 👤 Albert K. Chin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/0281; A61B17/22; A61B17/22031; A61B17/22032; A61B90/00; A61B90/50; A61B17/3462; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320044; A61B2017/320048; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3482; A61B2017/3484; A61B2017/3486; A61B90/30; A61B2090/306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for retracting an organ inside the body to gain access to an adjacent tissue, the apparatus comprising: a first inflatable means for retracting the organ by inflation of the first inflatable means to an expanded condition, the first inflatable means having a first envelope; means for selectively inflating the first inflatable means into an expanded condition while in place in the body; a non-pressurized chamber enclosed within the first inflatable means, the non-pressurized chamber having a second envelope anchored to part of the first envelope at a fixed location; a second inflatable means, operably associated with the non-pressurized chamber, and enclosed within the first envelope, for expanding the non-pressurized chamber into an expanded condition when the second inflatable means is inflated; and means for selectably inflating the second inflatable means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for retracting an organ inside the body to gain access to an adjacent tissue, the apparatus comprising: a first inflatable means for retracting the organ by inflation of the first inflatable means to an expanded condition, the first inflatable means having a first envelope; means for selectively inflating the first inflatable means into an expanded condition while in place in the body; a non-pressurized chamber enclosed within the first inflatable means, the non-pressurized chamber having a second envelope anchored to part of the first envelope at a fixed location; a second inflatable means, operably associated with the non-pressurized chamber, and enclosed within the first envelope, for expanding the non-pressurized chamber into an expanded condition when the second inflatable means is inflated; and means for selectably inflating the second inflatable means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second inflatable means has a cage structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second inflatable means includes a toroidal balloon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-pressurized chamber includes a duct passing through the first inflatable means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first envelope comprises an elastomeric material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
116 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: (a) the non-pressurized chamber is a first non-pressurized chamber, (b) the apparatus further comprises: (1) an additional non-pressurized chamber; and (2) an third inflatable means, operably associated with the additional non-pressurized chamber, for expanding the additional non-pressurized chamber into an expanded condition when the third inflatable means is inflated; and (c) the means for inflating the second inflatable means is additionally for inflating the third inflatable means, the means for inflating the second inflatable means inflating the second inflatable means or the third inflatable means depending on the positions of the first non-pressurized chamber and the additional non-pressurized chamber relative to the tissue when the first inflatable means is inflated.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of retracting an organ inside the body to gain access to an adjacent tissue, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an inflatable retractor, comprising: (1) a first inflatable chamber having a first envelope, (2) a non-pressurized chamber enclosed within the first inflatable chamber, the non-pressurized chamber having a second envelope anchored to part of the first envelope at a fixed location, and (3) a second inflatable chamber operably associated with the non-pressurized chamber, and enclosed within the first envelope; (b) placing the inflatable retractor in a collapsed condition adjacent to the tissue; (c) inflating the first inflatable chamber to an expanded condition, inflation of the first inflatable chamber retracting the organ; and (d) inflating the second inflatable chamber to expand the non-pressurized chamber into an expanded condition.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of retracting an organ inside the body to gain access to an adjacent tissue, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an inflatable retractor, comprising: (1) a first inflatable chamber having a first envelope, (2) a non-pressurized chamber enclosed within the first inflatable chamber, the non-pressurized chamber having a second envelope anchored to part of the first envelope at a fixed location, and (3) a second inflatable chamber operably associated with the non-pressurized chamber, and enclosed within the first envelope; (b) placing the inflatable retractor in a collapsed condition adjacent to the tissue; (c) inflating the first inflatable chamber to an expanded condition, inflation of the first inflatable chamber retracting the organ; and (d) inflating the second inflatable chamber to expand the non-pressurized chamber into an expanded condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 7, wherein: the step of inflating the first inflatable chamber inflates the first inflatable chamber to a pressure in the range of 0.14 to 0.28 kilo-Pascals; the step of inflating the second inflatable chamber inflates the second inflatable chamber to a pressure in the range of 1.4 to 3.5 kilo-Pascals; and the pressure in the non-pressurized chamber after the step of inflating the second inflatable chamber is substantially equal to atmospheric pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the step of inflating the second chamber to expand the non-pressurized chamber into an expanded condition comprises: inflating the non-pressurized chamber into an expanded condition; inflating the second inflatable chamber into an expanded condition; and deflating the non-pressurized chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of: providing a cutting instrument; providing a substantially gas-tight passage between the first inflatable chamber and the non-pressurized chamber; passing the cutting instrument into the first inflatable chamber; passing the cutting instrument through the substantially gas-tight passage into the non-pressurized chamber, the substantially gas-tight passage forming a substantially gas-tight seal with the cutting instrument; and piercing by means of the cutting instrument an aperture in the first envelope to gain access to the tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising pulling the tissue through the aperture into the non-pressurized chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: providing a surgical instrument; and treating the tissue by passing the surgical instrument through the aperture.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising pulling the tissue through an aperture in the first envelope into the non-pressurized chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: providing a surgical instrument; passing the surgical instrument into the non-pressurized chamber; and treating the tissue by passing the surgical instrument from the non-pressurized chamber through an aperture in the first envelope.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: providing a substantially gas-tight port between the first inflatable chamber and the non-pressurized chamber; and wherein the step of passing the surgical instrument into the non-pressurized chamber includes passing the surgical instrument through the substantially gas-tight port.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: providing a duct between the non-pressurized chamber and the first envelope; and wherein the step of passing the surgical instrument into the non-pressurized chamber includes passing the surgical instrument through the duct.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the non-pressurized chamber includes a duct passing through the first inflatable chamber, and the method further comprises the steps of: providing a cutting instrument; passing the cutting instrument through the duct into the non-pressurized chamber; and piercing by means of the cutting instrument an aperture in the first envelope to gain access to the tissue.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising pulling the tissue through the aperture into the non-pressurized chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: providing a surgical instrument; and treating the tissue by passing the surgical instrument through the aperture.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of retracting an organ inside the body to gain access to an adjacent tissue, the method comprising: (a) providing an inflatable retractor, comprising: (1) a first inflatable chamber having a first envelope, (2) a non-pressurized chamber enclosed within the first inflatable chamber, the non-pressurized chamber having a second envelope anchored to part of the first envelope at a fixed location, and (3) a second inflatable chamber, operably associated with the non-pressurized chamber, and enclosed within the first envelope; (b) providing an endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end; (c) securing the inflatable retractor in a collapsed condition to the endoscope adjacent to the distal end of the endoscope; (d) inserting the distal end of the endoscope together with the inflatable retractor into the body; (e) inflating the second inflatable chamber to expand the non-pressurized chamber into an at least partially expanded condition; (f) manipulating the endoscope while observing through the endoscope to locate the non-pressurized chamber adjacent to the tissue; and (g) inflating the first inflatable chamber into a fully-expanded condition, inflation of the first inflatable chamber to the fully-expanded condition retracting the organ.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of retracting an organ inside the body to gain access to an adjacent tissue, the method comprising: (a) providing an inflatable retractor, comprising: (1) a first inflatable chamber having a first envelope, (2) a non-pressurized chamber enclosed within the first inflatable chamber, the non-pressurized chamber having a second envelope anchored to part of the first envelope at a fixed location, and (3) a second inflatable chamber, operably associated with the non-pressurized chamber, and enclosed within the first envelope; (b) providing an endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end; (c) securing the inflatable retractor in a collapsed condition to the endoscope adjacent to the distal end of the endoscope; (d) inserting the distal end of the endoscope together with the inflatable retractor into the body; (e) inflating the second inflatable chamber to expand the non-pressurized chamber into an at least partially expanded condition; (f) manipulating the endoscope while observing through the endoscope to locate the non-pressurized chamber adjacent to the tissue; and (g) inflating the first inflatable chamber into a fully-expanded condition, inflation of the first inflatable chamber to the fully-expanded condition retracting the organ.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of securing the inflatable retractor in a collapsed condition to the endoscope adjacent to the distal end of the endoscope includes inserting the distal end of the endoscope into the non-pressurized chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of inflating the second chamber to expand the non-pressurized chamber into an expanded condition comprises: inflating the non-pressurized chamber into an expanded condition; inflating the second inflatable chamber into an expanded condition; and deflating the non-pressurized chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1060350A
Cited
US1275520A
Cited
US1947649A
Cited
US2663020A
Cited
US3039468A
Cited
US3173418A
Cited
US3626949A
Cited
US3774596A
Cited
US3782370A
Cited
US3831587A
Cited
US3863639A
Cited
US3961632A
Cited
US4077412A
Cited
US4083369A
Cited
AU516114B2
Cited
US4137906A
Cited
US4240433A
Cited
US4183102A
Cited
DE2847633A1
Cited
US4291687A
Cited
SU797668A1
Cited
EP0010650A1
Cited
US4271839A
Cited
US4254762A
Cited
FR2474304A1
Cited
US4357940A
Cited
GB2071502A
Cited
US4318410A
Cited
US4709697A
Cited
US4430076A
Cited
US4535773A
Cited
US4447227A
Cited
US4493711A
Cited
US4601710A
Cited
US4601710B1
Cited
US4763653A
Cited
SU1367947A1
Cited
US4598699A
Cited
US4739762B1
Cited
US4739762A
Cited
US4863440A
Cited
US4654030A
Cited
EP0246086A2
Cited
EP0251976A2
Cited
US4775371A
Cited
EP0275230A2
Cited
US4779611A
Cited
US4919152A
Cited
US4878495A
Cited
US4944443A
Cited
US5007898A
Cited
US4966583A
Cited
US5002557A
Cited
US5176697A
Cited
FR2646088A1
Cited
US5083576A
Cited
US4984564A
Cited
US5122122A
Cited
US5049132A
Cited
US5163949A
Cited
US5197971A
Cited
US5195507A
Cited
US5082005A
Cited
US5197948A
Cited
US5188630A
Cited
DE9104383U1
Cited
US5183464A
Cited
FR2688695A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-09-18 | 1999-03-20 | 1999-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-18 | 2003-03-20 | 2003-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-18 | 2007-03-20 | 2007-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |