US5722986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable devices for separating layers of tissue, and methods of using
Assignee: Covidien AG
•
Filing: 1996-07-24
•
Granted: 1998-03-03
•
Expires: 2016-07-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for separating tissue layers and providing a working space for performing a medical procedure. A first balloon is inserted between the tissue layers and inflated to dissect the tissue layers. A second balloon is also positioned between the tissue layers and inflated to retract the tissue layers. The first balloon is then deflated and punctured with a sharp instrument to created an opening in the first balloon. The second balloon is positioned to impeded the escape of insufflation fluid from the working space and the working space is then insufflated. An instrument for performing the medical procedure may then be introduced into the working space through the opening in the first balloon.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey A. Smith
- 👤 Albert K. Chin
- 👤 Frederic H. Moll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/22031; A61B17/22032; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00082; A61B1/012; A61B1/015; A61B1/018; A61B1/313; A61B1/3132; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/0281; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B17/3462; A61B90/00; A61B90/50; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22057; A61B2017/22059; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320044; A61B2017/320048; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3482; A61B2017/3484; A61B2017/3486; A61B90/30; A61B2090/306; A61B90/36; A61B90/361
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers in the patient; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; leaving the distal end of the delivery device in the patient after the delivery device inserting step until the second balloon inflating step so that the tissue layers remain at least partially separated; and insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers in the patient; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; leaving the distal end of the delivery device in the patient after the delivery device inserting step until the second balloon inflating step so that the tissue layers remain at least partially separated; and insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the providing step is carried out with at least one of the first and second balloons being mounted to the delivery device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the providing step is carried out with the first and second balloons mounted to the delivery device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the second balloon inflating step is carried out while the first balloon is at least partially positioned within the patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: deflating the first balloon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5, wherein: the providing step is carried out with the delivery device having a first valve fluidly coupled to the first balloon and the deflating step is carried out by operating the first valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the delivery device inserting step and at least one of the first and second balloon positioning steps is carried out substantially at the same time.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers in the patient; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; leaving the distal end of the delivery device in the patient after the delivery device inserting step until the second balloon inflating step so that the tissue layers remain at least partially separated; and insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid, wherein the providing step is carried out with the second balloon being positioned within an interior of the first balloon.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers in the patient; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; leaving the distal end of the delivery device in the patient after the delivery device inserting step until the second balloon inflating step so that the tissue layers remain at least partially separated; and insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid, wherein the providing step is carried out with the second balloon being positioned within an interior of the first balloon.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers in the patient; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; leaving the distal end of the delivery device in the patient after the delivery device inserting step until the second balloon inflating step so that the tissue layers remain at least partially separated; and insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid; and sealing an area in the working space with the second balloon so that the insufflating fluid is impeded from escaping through the incision.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers in the patient; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; leaving the distal end of the delivery device in the patient after the delivery device inserting step until the second balloon inflating step so that the tissue layers remain at least partially separated; and insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid; and sealing an area in the working space with the second balloon so that the insufflating fluid is impeded from escaping through the incision.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers in the patient; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; leaving the distal end of the delivery device in the patient after the delivery device inserting step until the second balloon inflating step so that the tissue layers remain at least partially separated; deflating the first balloon, wherein the providing step is carried out with the delivery device having a first valve fluidly coupled to the first balloon and the deflating step includes the step of operating the first valve; puncturing the first balloon to create an opening in the first balloon; and insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers in the patient; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; leaving the distal end of the delivery device in the patient after the delivery device inserting step until the second balloon inflating step so that the tissue layers remain at least partially separated; deflating the first balloon, wherein the providing step is carried out with the delivery device having a first valve fluidly coupled to the first balloon and the deflating step includes the step of operating the first valve; puncturing the first balloon to create an opening in the first balloon; and insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end, the first balloon having an interior and the second balloon being positioned within the interior of the first balloon; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; and insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end, the first balloon having an interior and the second balloon being positioned within the interior of the first balloon; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; and insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: positioning the second balloon so that the insufflating fluid is impeded from escaping through the incision.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: puncturing the first balloon to create an opening.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 11, wherein: the providing step is carried out with at least one of the first and second balloons being mounted to the delivery device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 14, wherein: the delivery device inserting step and at least one of the first and second balloon positioning steps is carried out substantially at the same time.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers in the patient; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid; deflating the first balloon; creating an opening in the first balloon; and performing a medical procedure in the working space with an instrument passing through the opening in the first balloon.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of providing a working space in a patient for performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of: providing a first balloon, a second balloon, and a delivery device having a distal end; cutting an incision in a patient; inserting the distal end of the delivery device into the patient through the incision; moving the distal end of the delivery device to a position between tissue layers in the patient; positioning the first balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the first balloon; positioning the second balloon between the tissue layers; inflating the second balloon; insufflating a working space between the tissue layers with an insufflating fluid; deflating the first balloon; creating an opening in the first balloon; and performing a medical procedure in the working space with an instrument passing through the opening in the first balloon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of: positioning the second balloon so that the insufflating fluid is impeded from escaping through the incision.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 16, wherein: the providing step is carried out with at least one of the first and second balloons being mounted to the delivery device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 18, wherein: the delivery device inserting step and at least one of the first and second balloon positioning steps is carried out substantially at the same time.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18, wherein: the opening creating step is carried out by puncturing the first balloon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-02 | 2001-09-01 | 2002-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-02 | 2005-09-01 | 2006-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-02 | 2009-09-01 | 2010-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |