US6866676B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for dissecting tissue layers
Assignee: Mallinckrodt Enterprises Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 2003-03-28
•
Granted: 2005-03-15
•
Expires: 2023-03-28
Abstract
Abstract An expansible tunneling apparatus and associated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure. Various embodiments of one and two piece apparatus that permit laparoscopic observation both during tunneling and during subsequent balloon dissection are disclosed. In a disclosed one piece embodiment, a tubular member has a bore extending therethrough and an open distal end. A lip is formed in the distal end of the tubular member to capture the distal tip of a laparoscope that is inserted into the tubular member to permit observation of the procedure both during tunneling to a desired location and during subsequent balloon inflation. An elongated neck of the balloon is secured to the tunneling member. The elongated neck permits the tubular member to be withdrawn slightly from the balloon after inflation to facilitate observation. After the balloon has been advanced to the desired location in the body it is inflated through a balloon inflation lumen to cause the balloon to dissect tissue and create an operating space. Various balloon constructions and a reusable design are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Maciej J. Kieturakis
- 👤 Kenneth H. Mollenauer
- 👤 Jan M. Echeverry
- 👤 Thomas A. Howell
- 👤 James E. Jervis
- 👤 Helmut Kayan
- 👤 Janine C. Robinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1002; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/08; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0063; A61M25/01; A61M25/06; A61M25/0662; A61M25/0668; A61M25/1027; A61M29/00; A61M29/02; A61B17/3439; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00902; A61B2017/0225; A61B2017/320044; A61B2017/320048; A61B2017/320056; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0813; A61B90/02; A61B90/36; A61B90/361; A61F2002/0072; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0003; A61M2025/1004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus for separating tissue, comprising: a) an inflatable body forming an interior space; b) the inflatable body having a plurality of legs, including a first leg and a second leg, each of the legs being folded inwardly into the inflatable body so that upon inflation of the inflatable body, each leg everts outwardly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus for separating tissue, comprising: a) an inflatable body forming an interior space; b) the inflatable body having a plurality of legs, including a first leg and a second leg, each of the legs being folded inwardly into the inflatable body so that upon inflation of the inflatable body, each leg everts outwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body is formed from first and second sheets of a substantially non-elastomeric material, each of said sheets having outer margins that are bonded together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a balloon inflation lumen extending from said body in fluid communication with said interior space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an elongate neck extending from said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body is rolled in a deflated state such that upon inflation said body unrolls and said legs evert outwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tunneling rod carrying said body.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for separating tissue, comprising: a) a guide rod having a distal end; and b) an inflatable body with an interior space, the inflatable body being disposed on the guide rod adjacent the distal end so that said guide rod underlies said inflatable body; c) the inflatable body having a plurality of legs, including a first leg and a second leg folded inwardly into the inflatable body so that upon inflation of the inflatable body, the first leg and the second leg evert outwardly.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for separating tissue, comprising: a) a guide rod having a distal end; and b) an inflatable body with an interior space, the inflatable body being disposed on the guide rod adjacent the distal end so that said guide rod underlies said inflatable body; c) the inflatable body having a plurality of legs, including a first leg and a second leg folded inwardly into the inflatable body so that upon inflation of the inflatable body, the first leg and the second leg evert outwardly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the guide rod has an enlarged tip at the distal end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a tubular member having a lumen attached to the inflatable body so that the lumen opens into the interior of the body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the inflatable body is rolled in a deflated state so that upon inflation said body unrolls and the first leg and the second leg evert outwardly.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
53 words
An apparatus for separating tissue, comprising: a) an inflatable body forming an interior space; b) the inflatable body having a Y-shape in plan when in a deflated condition, a portion of the inflatable body being folded inwardly into the inflatable body, so that upon inflation of the inflatable body, the portion everts outwardly.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
53 words
An apparatus for separating tissue, comprising: a) an inflatable body forming an interior space; b) the inflatable body having a Y-shape in plan when in a deflated condition, a portion of the inflatable body being folded inwardly into the inflatable body, so that upon inflation of the inflatable body, the portion everts outwardly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the inflatable body has a bifurcation defining a first leg and a second leg.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of separating two layers of tissue, comprising the steps of: a) inserting an inflatable body having a deflated condition between the layers of tissue, the inflatable body having an interior space and a bifurcation, the bifurcation defining a plurality of legs including a first leg and a second leg, the first leg and the second leg being folded inwardly into the inflatable body; b) inserting the inflatable body including positioning the inflatable body adjacent an obstruction; and c) inflating the inflatable body so that the first leg and the second leg evert and advance around the obstruction.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of separating two layers of tissue, comprising the steps of: a) inserting an inflatable body having a deflated condition between the layers of tissue, the inflatable body having an interior space and a bifurcation, the bifurcation defining a plurality of legs including a first leg and a second leg, the first leg and the second leg being folded inwardly into the inflatable body; b) inserting the inflatable body including positioning the inflatable body adjacent an obstruction; and c) inflating the inflatable body so that the first leg and the second leg evert and advance around the obstruction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of inflating the inflatable body includes dissecting around the obstruction, the first leg passing on one side of the obstruction and the second leg passing on the other side of the obstruction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of inserting includes positioning the inflatable body adjacent the obstruction, the obstruction comprising a hernia, and wherein the step of inflating includes dissecting around the hernia.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2936760A
Cited
US3545443A
Cited
US3774596A
Cited
US3800788A
Cited
USRE29207E
Cited
US3882852A
Cited
SU594960A1
Cited
US4083369A
Cited
US4217889A
Cited
US4243050A
Cited
US4276874A
Cited
US4312353A
Cited
US4411654A
Cited
US4496345A
Cited
US4490137A
Cited
US4644936A
Cited
US4581025A
Cited
US4574806A
Cited
US4685447A
Cited
US4596554A
Cited
US5201754A
Cited
US4738666A
Cited
US4654030A
Cited
US4769038A
Cited
US4798205A
Cited
US4813429A
Cited
US4854316A
Cited
US5030206A
Cited
US4802479A
Cited
US4793348A
Cited
US4955895A
Cited
US4784133A
Cited
US4779611A
Cited
US4772266A
Cited
US4888000A
Cited
US4800901A
Cited
US4931042A
Cited
US4917668A
Cited
US4869717A
Cited
US5030227A
Cited
US5215526A
Cited
US5159925A
Cited
US5183463A
Cited
US5137512A
Cited
US5002557A
Cited
US5147302A
Cited
US5015231A
Cited
US5342307A
Cited
US4994071A
Cited
US5116318A
Cited
US5009643A
Cited
US5104383A
Cited
US5074871A
Cited
US5141494A
Cited
US5197971A
Cited
US5331975A
Cited
US5163949A
Cited
US5314443A
Cited
US5152278A
Cited
US5188596A
Cited
WO1992006638A1
Cited
US5122155A
Cited
US5116357A
Cited
US5141515A
Cited
WO1992006632A1
Cited
US5454365A
Cited
US5195507A
Cited
US5147316A
Cited
US5359995A
Cited
US5144942A
Cited
US5188630A
Cited
US5209725A
Cited
US5201742A
Cited
US5158545A
Cited
EP0512456B1
Cited
US5431173A
Cited
US5468248A
Cited
US5743851A
Cited
US5632761A
Cited
US5527264A
Cited
US5309896A
Cited
US5450843A
Cited
US5425357A
Cited
US5402772A
Cited
US5383889A
Cited
US5370134A
Cited
US5361752A
Cited
US5318012A
Cited
US5222970A
Cited
US5232446A
Cited
US5226890A
Cited
US5295994A
Cited
US5308327A
Cited
US5147374A
Cited
US5176692A
Cited
US5176648A
Cited
US5258026A
Cited
US5540711A
Cited
US5817123A
Cited
US6562056B2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-03-14 | 2008-09-13 | 2009-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-03-14 | 2012-09-13 | 2013-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-03-14 | 2016-09-13 | 2017-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |