US6120437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for creating spaces at obstructed sites endoscopically and methods therefor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-01-06
•
Granted: 2000-09-19
•
Expires: 2015-01-06
Abstract
Abstract An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space at an obstructed site in the body includes an elongate member having a distal end for being introduced in the body, a proximal end for being disposed externally of the body and an expandable member for being positioned at the obstructed site. The expandable member is movable at the obstructed site from a non-expanded position to an expanded position to displace anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site for performing various operative procedures. A method of creating a space at an obstructed site includes expanding an expandable member at the obstructed site and/or introducing fluid under pressure at the obstructed site to create a space where normally no space exists.
Inventors
- 👤 Inbae Yoon
- 👤 Suzanne J. Yoon
- 👤 Samuel C. Yoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/0281; A61B17/12; A61B17/12022; A61B17/12099; A61B17/12131; A61B17/12136; A61B17/12181; A61B17/1219; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B17/3439; A61B17/3462; A61B17/3498; A61B17/42; A61B17/4241; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/38; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1011; A61M29/00; A61M29/02; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22062; A61B17/28; A61B17/2812; A61B17/2833; A61B2017/2837; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320004; A61B2017/320012; A61B2017/320044; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3482; A61B2017/3484; A61B2017/3486; A61B2017/3492; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0815; A61B2090/0816; A61B90/30; A61B2090/306; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1093; A61M25/1002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of creating a space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue of the body including the steps of introducing an expandable member in the anatomical tissue to position the expandable member at the obstructed site with the expandable member mechanically biased to an expanded position and constrained in a non-expanded position by a sleeve receiving the expandable member; positioning the expandable member beyond a distal end of the sleeve to cause the expandable member to be moved to the expanded position by the bias such that the expandable member in the expanded position displaces the anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site; and visually confirming creation of the space with a remote visualization device from externally of the body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of creating a space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue of the body including the steps of introducing an expandable member in the anatomical tissue to position the expandable member at the obstructed site with the expandable member mechanically biased to an expanded position and constrained in a non-expanded position by a sleeve receiving the expandable member; positioning the expandable member beyond a distal end of the sleeve to cause the expandable member to be moved to the expanded position by the bias such that the expandable member in the expanded position displaces the anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site; and visually confirming creation of the space with a remote visualization device from externally of the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the expandable member includes a spine having an extended configuration mechanically biasing the expandable member to the expanded position and said step of introducing includes constraining the spine in a collapsed configuration within the sleeve and said step of extending includes positioning the spine beyond the distal end of the sleeve to release the spine for movement from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 2 and further including the step of supplying fluid to the expandable member to fluidically move the expandable member to a further expanded position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 3 wherein the spine is hollow and said step of supplying includes supplying fluid to the expandable member through the spine.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of creating an operating space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue including the steps of introducing fluid under pressure directly into the anatomical tissue at the obstructed site to displace the anatomical tissue to create an initial space at the obstructed site; visualizing the initial space endoscopically with a remote visualization device; creating a second larger space at the obstructed site from the initial space; and performing an operative procedure utilizing the second space.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of creating an operating space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue including the steps of introducing fluid under pressure directly into the anatomical tissue at the obstructed site to displace the anatomical tissue to create an initial space at the obstructed site; visualizing the initial space endoscopically with a remote visualization device; creating a second larger space at the obstructed site from the initial space; and performing an operative procedure utilizing the second space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 5 wherein said step of introducing fluid includes introducing an immiscible fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said step of introducing includes introducing a liquid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method as recited in claim 5 wherein said step of creating includes introducing an expandable member at the initial space with the expandable member disposed in a non-expanded position and moving the expandable member from the non-expanded position to an expanded position to displace the anatomical tissue to create the second space.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of creating an operating space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue including the steps of introducing an immiscible fluid including a gel at the obstructed site to displace the anatomical tissue to create an initial space at the obstructed site; visualizing the initial space endoscopically with a remote visualization device; creating a second larger space at the obstructed site from the initial space; and performing an operative procedure utilizing the second space.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of creating an operating space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue including the steps of introducing an immiscible fluid including a gel at the obstructed site to displace the anatomical tissue to create an initial space at the obstructed site; visualizing the initial space endoscopically with a remote visualization device; creating a second larger space at the obstructed site from the initial space; and performing an operative procedure utilizing the second space.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of creating an operating space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue including the steps of introducing an immiscible fluid including a viscoelastic material at the obstructed site to displace the anatomical tissue to create an initial space at the obstructed site; visualizing the initial space endoscopically with a remote visualization device; creating a second larger space at the obstructed site from the initial space; and performing an operative procedure utilizing the second space.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of creating an operating space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue including the steps of introducing an immiscible fluid including a viscoelastic material at the obstructed site to displace the anatomical tissue to create an initial space at the obstructed site; visualizing the initial space endoscopically with a remote visualization device; creating a second larger space at the obstructed site from the initial space; and performing an operative procedure utilizing the second space.
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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) | 2003-09-19 | 2004-03-20 | 2004-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-19 | 2008-03-20 | 2008-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-19 | 2012-03-20 | 2012-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |