US6436119B1 — Adjustable surgical dilator

Claim 1

Independent Claim 242 words

An adjustable surgical dilator for dilating an opening formed in a bodily tissue structure, the dilator comprising: an outer tube including: a proximal section, a distal section extending from the proximal section and terminating in a distal end, the distal section including first and second arms each defining an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the arms combine to define a head tapering to the distal end, the head being configured to releasably contact bodily tissue and having a variable cross-sectional outer dimension defined by the outer surfaces of the arms, a central lumen extending from the proximal section to the distal section; and an inner rod co-axially disposed within the central lumen, the inner rod including: a proximal portion, a distal portion extending from the proximal portion, the distal portion forming a bearing surface for selectively engaging the inner surfaces of the first and second arms, respectively, to control the variable cross-sectional outer dimension of the head; wherein the inner rod is axially moveable relative to the outer tube for providing selective positioning of the bearing surface relative to the arms, the bearing surface being positioned to initially engage the inner surfaces proximate the distal end, and further wherein the outer tube and the inner rod are adapted such that movement of the bearing surface in a first axial direction causes continuous engagement with the inner surfaces and a corresponding continuous increase in the cross-sectional outer dimension of the head.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 242 words

An adjustable surgical dilator for dilating an opening formed in a bodily tissue structure, the dilator comprising: an outer tube including: a proximal section, a distal section extending from the proximal section and terminating in a distal end, the distal section including first and second arms each defining an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the arms combine to define a head tapering to the distal end, the head being configured to releasably contact bodily tissue and having a variable cross-sectional outer dimension defined by the outer surfaces of the arms, a central lumen extending from the proximal section to the distal section; and an inner rod co-axially disposed within the central lumen, the inner rod including: a proximal portion, a distal portion extending from the proximal portion, the distal portion forming a bearing surface for selectively engaging the inner surfaces of the first and second arms, respectively, to control the variable cross-sectional outer dimension of the head; wherein the inner rod is axially moveable relative to the outer tube for providing selective positioning of the bearing surface relative to the arms, the bearing surface being positioned to initially engage the inner surfaces proximate the distal end, and further wherein the outer tube and the inner rod are adapted such that movement of the bearing surface in a first axial direction causes continuous engagement with the inner surfaces and a corresponding continuous increase in the cross-sectional outer dimension of the head.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 33 words

The dilator of claim 1 , further including a tapered tip formed by at least one of the outer rod and the inner tube for initially engaging bodily tissue at a pre-formed opening.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

The dilator of claim 2 , wherein the tapered tip is formed at the distal portion of the inner rod.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

The dilator of claim 3 , wherein the tapered tip is distal the bearing surface.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The dilator of claim 4 , wherein the tapered tip is adjacent the bearing surface such that the bearing surface is configured to taper proximally and the tapered tip tapers distally.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 54 words

The dilator of claim 5 , wherein the inner rod is configured to be movable between a first, insertion position in which the tapered tip extends distal the distal end of the outer tube and a second, expansion position in which at least a portion of the tapered tip is proximal the distal end.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The dilator of claim 1 , wherein proximal movement of the bearing surface causes an increase in the variable cross-sectional outer dimension of the head.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

The dilator of claim 1 , wherein distal movement of the bearing surface causes an increase in the variable cross-sectional outer dimension of the head.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 12 words

The dilator of claim 1 , wherein the bearing surface is tapered.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 13 words

The dilator of claim 1 , wherein the bearing surface is substantially spherical.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 13 words

The dilator of claim 1 , wherein the inner surfaces are substantially parallel.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 31 words

The dilator of claim 1 , further comprising: a control cap connected to the proximal portion of the inner rod for movably retaining the inner rod relative to the outer tube.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 18 words

The dilator of claim 1 , wherein the variable cross-sectional outer dimension is a width of the head.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 13 words

The dilator of claim 1 , wherein the head includes a non-linear surface.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 29 words

The dilator of claim 1 , wherein a distal segment of the head forms a stop for resisting axial movement of the surgical dilator upon contact with bodily tissue.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 23 words

The surgical dilator of claim 1 , wherein the bearing surface is positioned to initially engage the inner surfaces at the distal end.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 237 words

An adjustable surgical dilator for dilating an opening formed in a bodily tissue structure, the dilator comprising: an outer tube including: a proximal section, a distal section extending from the proximal section and terminating in a distal end, the distal section including: a head tapering distally to the distal end, the head being configured to releasably contact bodily tissue, an axial slot extending from the distal end to a point proximal the head, wherein an outer cross-sectional dimension of the head varies with radial expansion of the axial slot, a central lumen extending from the proximal section to the axial slot; and an inner rod co-axially disposed within the central lumen, the inner rod including: a proximal portion, a distal portion extending from the proximal portion, the distal portion forming a bearing surface configured to selectively engage the distal section of the outer tube to control the radial expansion of the slot; wherein the inner rod is axially movable relative to the outer tube for providing selective positioning of the bearing surface relative to the distal section of the outer tube, the bearing surface being positioned to initially engage the distal section proximate the distal end, and further wherein the outer tube and the inner rod are adapted such that movement of the bearing surface in a first axial direction causes continuous engagement with the distal section and a corresponding continuous radial expansion of the axial slot.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 237 words

An adjustable surgical dilator for dilating an opening formed in a bodily tissue structure, the dilator comprising: an outer tube including: a proximal section, a distal section extending from the proximal section and terminating in a distal end, the distal section including: a head tapering distally to the distal end, the head being configured to releasably contact bodily tissue, an axial slot extending from the distal end to a point proximal the head, wherein an outer cross-sectional dimension of the head varies with radial expansion of the axial slot, a central lumen extending from the proximal section to the axial slot; and an inner rod co-axially disposed within the central lumen, the inner rod including: a proximal portion, a distal portion extending from the proximal portion, the distal portion forming a bearing surface configured to selectively engage the distal section of the outer tube to control the radial expansion of the slot; wherein the inner rod is axially movable relative to the outer tube for providing selective positioning of the bearing surface relative to the distal section of the outer tube, the bearing surface being positioned to initially engage the distal section proximate the distal end, and further wherein the outer tube and the inner rod are adapted such that movement of the bearing surface in a first axial direction causes continuous engagement with the distal section and a corresponding continuous radial expansion of the axial slot.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 46 words

The dilator of claim 17 , wherein the bearing surface forces the axial slot to a first radial expansion in a first engaged position and to a second radial expansion in a second engaged position, the first radial expansion being less than the second radial expansion.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 33 words

The dilator of claim 17 , wherein the distal portion of the inner rod further includes a tapered tip formed distal the bearing surface for initially engaging bodily tissue at a preformed opening.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 51 words

The dilator of claim 19 , wherein the inner rod is movable relative to the outer tube such that in a first, insertion position, the tapered tip is distal the distal end and in a second, expansion position, at least a portion of the tapered tip is proximal the distal end.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

The dilator of claim 20 , wherein the tapered tip is configured to be substantially contiguous with the head in the first position.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 12 words

The dilator of claim 17 , wherein the bearing surface is tapered.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 12 words

The dilator of claim 17 , wherein the bearing surface is curved.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 31 words

The dilator of claim 17 , further comprising: a control cap connected to the proximal portion of the inner rod for movably retaining the inner rod relative to the outer tube.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 17 words

The dilator of claim 17 , wherein the outer cross-sectional dimension is a width of the head.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 13 words

The dilator of claim 17 , wherein the head includes a non-linear surface.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 29 words

The dilator of claim 17 , wherein a distal segment of the head forms a stop for resisting axial movement of the surgical dilator upon contact with bodily tissue.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 23 words

The surgical dilator of claim 17 , wherein the bearing surface is positioned to initially engage the distal section at the distal end.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 169 words

A method of dilating an opening in an anulus of a human disc, the method comprising: providing an adjustable surgical dilator including an outer tube and an inner rod, the outer tube co-axially receiving the inner rod and forming an expandable head at a distal portion thereof, wherein the inner rod is axially movable relative to the outer shaft and includes a bearing surface for selectively expanding the head between a contracted position and an expanded position, the outer tube and the inner rod being adapted such that movement of the inner rod relative to the outer tube in a first axial direction causes a corresponding, continuously increasing expansion of the head; maneuvering the inner rod relative to the outer tube such that the head is in the contracted position; forming an opening in an anulus of a human disc; inserting the head within the opening; and maneuvering the inner rod relative to the outer tube such that the head is in the expanded position to dilate the opening.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 169 words

A method of dilating an opening in an anulus of a human disc, the method comprising: providing an adjustable surgical dilator including an outer tube and an inner rod, the outer tube co-axially receiving the inner rod and forming an expandable head at a distal portion thereof, wherein the inner rod is axially movable relative to the outer shaft and includes a bearing surface for selectively expanding the head between a contracted position and an expanded position, the outer tube and the inner rod being adapted such that movement of the inner rod relative to the outer tube in a first axial direction causes a corresponding, continuously increasing expansion of the head; maneuvering the inner rod relative to the outer tube such that the head is in the contracted position; forming an opening in an anulus of a human disc; inserting the head within the opening; and maneuvering the inner rod relative to the outer tube such that the head is in the expanded position to dilate the opening.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 60 words

The method of claim 29 , wherein the dilator further includes a control cap threadably receiving a portion of the inner rod, and further wherein maneuvering the inner rod relative to the outer tube such that the head is in the expanded position includes: rotating the control cap to axially move the bearing surface into engagement with the outer tube.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 29 , wherein maneuvering the inner rod relative to the outer tube such that the head is in the expanded position includes: retracting the inner rod proximally relative to the outer tube such that the bearing surface engages the outer tube.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 29 , wherein maneuvering the inner rod relative to the outer tube such that the head is in the expanded position includes: extending the inner rod distally relative to the outer tube such that the bearing surface engages the outer tube.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method of claim 29 , wherein the head terminates at a distal end, and further wherein maneuvering the inner rod relative to the outer tube such that the head is in the expanded position includes: causing the bearing surface to initially contact the head proximate the distal end.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-08-19	2006-02-18	2006-08-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-08-19	2010-02-18	2010-08-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-08-19	2014-02-18	2014-08-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Adjustable surgical dilator

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