US5814060A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Extraluminal balloon dissection
Assignee: Mallinckrodt Enterprises Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-26
•
Granted: 1998-09-29
•
Expires: 2017-03-26
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides balloon dissection apparatus and methods of use in which an elongate balloon is utilized to dissect along a region that follows a naturally existing path alongside a vessel or structure, such as an artery, a vein, a lymphatic vessel, the trachea, the esophagus, or even a nerve bundle.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Fogarty
- 👤 George D. Hermann
- 👤 Jan M. Echeverry
- 👤 Kenneth H. Mollenauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00008; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1002; A61M29/00; A61M29/02; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B17/3431; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22061; A61B2017/22062; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320044; A61B2017/320048; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/361; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1081; A61M25/01; A61M25/0194
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for dissection along a natural tissue plane comprising: a housing having proximal and distal ends, said housing for receiving instruments; an instrument seal mounted in said housing to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the interior of said housing and an instrument introduced therein; a tubular sleeve extending from said housing, said tubular sleeve having a proximal end connected to the distal end of said housing; an elongate balloon having a proximal end sealingly terminated between the interior of said housing and the exterior of said tubular sleeve, said elongate balloon comprising: a laterally extending reservoir; an outwardly expandable distal portion folded inside said reservoir; and an inflation harness for introducing an inflation medium into said elongate balloon.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for dissection along a natural tissue plane comprising: a housing having proximal and distal ends, said housing for receiving instruments; an instrument seal mounted in said housing to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the interior of said housing and an instrument introduced therein; a tubular sleeve extending from said housing, said tubular sleeve having a proximal end connected to the distal end of said housing; an elongate balloon having a proximal end sealingly terminated between the interior of said housing and the exterior of said tubular sleeve, said elongate balloon comprising: a laterally extending reservoir; an outwardly expandable distal portion folded inside said reservoir; and an inflation harness for introducing an inflation medium into said elongate balloon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongate balloon is formed from a substantially transparent material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the laterally extending reservoir is thumb-shaped.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for dissection along a natural tissue plane comprising: a housing having proximal and distal ends, said housing for receiving instruments; an instrument seal mounted in said housing to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the interior of said housing and an instrument introduced therein; a tubular sleeve formed integrally with said housing; an elongate balloon having a proximal end sealingly secured to said tubular sleeve, said elongate balloon comprising: a laterally extending reservoir; an outwardly expandable distal portion folded into said reservoir; and an inflation harness for introducing an inflation medium into said elongate balloon.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for dissection along a natural tissue plane comprising: a housing having proximal and distal ends, said housing for receiving instruments; an instrument seal mounted in said housing to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the interior of said housing and an instrument introduced therein; a tubular sleeve formed integrally with said housing; an elongate balloon having a proximal end sealingly secured to said tubular sleeve, said elongate balloon comprising: a laterally extending reservoir; an outwardly expandable distal portion folded into said reservoir; and an inflation harness for introducing an inflation medium into said elongate balloon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the balloon is formed from a substantially transparent material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the laterally extending reservoir is thumb-shaped.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of dissecting tissue from an elongate structure in a body, said method comprising the steps of: providing a dissection apparatus for dissection along a natural tissue plane comprising: a housing having proximal and distal ends, said housing for receiving instruments; an instrument seal mounted in said housing to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the interior of said housing and an instrument introduced therein; a tubular sleeve extending from said housing, said tubular sleeve having a proximal end connected to the distal end of said housing; an elongate balloon having a proximal end sealingly terminated between the interior of said housing and the exterior of said tubular sleeve, said elongate balloon comprising: a laterally extending reservoir; an outwardly expandable distal portion folded into said reservoir; an inflation harness for introducing an inflation medium into said elongate balloon; making an incision in the body adjacent the elongate structure; introducing the dissection apparatus through said incision; advancing the apparatus alongside the elongate structure in the body until a desired location is reached; and inflating the elongate balloon to cause said elongate balloon to expand outwardly and evert distally to dissect tissue from the elongate structure.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of dissecting tissue from an elongate structure in a body, said method comprising the steps of: providing a dissection apparatus for dissection along a natural tissue plane comprising: a housing having proximal and distal ends, said housing for receiving instruments; an instrument seal mounted in said housing to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the interior of said housing and an instrument introduced therein; a tubular sleeve extending from said housing, said tubular sleeve having a proximal end connected to the distal end of said housing; an elongate balloon having a proximal end sealingly terminated between the interior of said housing and the exterior of said tubular sleeve, said elongate balloon comprising: a laterally extending reservoir; an outwardly expandable distal portion folded into said reservoir; an inflation harness for introducing an inflation medium into said elongate balloon; making an incision in the body adjacent the elongate structure; introducing the dissection apparatus through said incision; advancing the apparatus alongside the elongate structure in the body until a desired location is reached; and inflating the elongate balloon to cause said elongate balloon to expand outwardly and evert distally to dissect tissue from the elongate structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: deflating said elongate balloon; removing said elongate balloon through said incision; and insufflating a space created alongside the elongate structure by said inflation step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of performing a surgical procedure in said insufflated space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the elongate structure is a vein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the vein is a saphenous vein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the elongate structure is a nerve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the elongate structure is the esophagus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the elongate structure is the trachea.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the elongate structure is a lymphatic vessel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the elongate structure is an artery.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the laterally extending reservoir is thumb-shaped.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein a scope is inserted through the housing for observation while inflating the balloon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein a scope is inserted through the housing for observation once the balloon is fully inflated.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of dissecting tissue from an elongate structure in a body, said method comprising the steps of: providing a dissection apparatus for dissection along a natural tissue plane comprising: a housing having proximal and distal ends, said housing for receiving instruments; an instrument seal mounted in said housing to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the interior of the housing and an instrument introduced therein; a tubular sleeve formed integrally with said housing; an elongate balloon having a proximal end sealingly secured to said tubular sleeve, said elongate balloon comprising: a laterally extending reservoir; an outwardly expandable distal portion folded into said reservoir; an inflation harness for introducing an inflation medium into the balloon; making an incision in the body adjacent the elongate structure; introducing the dissection apparatus through said incision; advancing the apparatus alongside the elongate structure in the body until a desired location is reached; and inflating the elongate balloon to cause said elongate balloon to expand outwardly and evert distally to dissect tissue from the elongate structure.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of dissecting tissue from an elongate structure in a body, said method comprising the steps of: providing a dissection apparatus for dissection along a natural tissue plane comprising: a housing having proximal and distal ends, said housing for receiving instruments; an instrument seal mounted in said housing to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the interior of the housing and an instrument introduced therein; a tubular sleeve formed integrally with said housing; an elongate balloon having a proximal end sealingly secured to said tubular sleeve, said elongate balloon comprising: a laterally extending reservoir; an outwardly expandable distal portion folded into said reservoir; an inflation harness for introducing an inflation medium into the balloon; making an incision in the body adjacent the elongate structure; introducing the dissection apparatus through said incision; advancing the apparatus alongside the elongate structure in the body until a desired location is reached; and inflating the elongate balloon to cause said elongate balloon to expand outwardly and evert distally to dissect tissue from the elongate structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of: deflating said elongate balloon; removing said elongate balloon through said incision; and insufflating a space created alongside the elongate structure by said inflation step.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of performing a surgical procedure in said insufflated space.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the elongate structure is a vein.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the vein is a saphenous vein.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the elongate structure is a nerve.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the elongate structure is the esophagus.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the elongate structure is the trachea.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the elongate structure is a lymphatic vessel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the elongate structure is an artery.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the laterally extending reservoir is thumb-shaped.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 wherein a scope is inserted through the housing for observation while inflating the balloon.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20 wherein a scope is inserted through the housing for observation once the balloon is fully inflated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4493711A
Cited
US4779611A
Cited
US5359995A
Cited
US5188630A
Cited
US5383889A
Cited
US5425357A
Cited
US5468248A
Cited
US5496345A
Cited
US5269753A
Cited
US5346504A
Cited
US5391178A
Cited
US5452732A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-28 | 2002-03-30 | 2002-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-28 | 2006-03-30 | 2006-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-28 | 2010-03-30 | 2010-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |