초록 ▼

An active cannula or sleeve which does more than merely maintain a channel or passage is usable to create and/or enlarge a channel or passage, to position a scope or instrument, to move or locate tissue, etc. The cannula can vary in size or shape as needed, intraoperatively. Because a cannula of the

An active cannula or sleeve which does more than merely maintain a channel or passage is usable to create and/or enlarge a channel or passage, to position a scope or instrument, to move or locate tissue, etc. The cannula can vary in size or shape as needed, intraoperatively. Because a cannula of the present invention is expandable, the surgeon can make a small relatively small incision, stretch the tissue with the expandable cannula, contract the cannula and remove it, allowing the skin to come back to its unstretched condition. Thus, a smaller incision can be made to fit the same size instrument. This results in less trauma and scarring and an easier operation. The cannulas are or can assume such a non-circular shape, to fit into a natural skin opening and cause less trauma. The devices can be used to seal off a space; to expand an existing space or a potential space for working or visualization; to move tissue (for example, to stretch an incision) or to protect it.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A balloon dissection device comprising:a support member having a longitudinal axis; and an inflatable balloon mounted on said support member and having distal and proximal portion, said inflatable balloon comprises a thin layer of uniform material wherein the thickness of the material is increase

1. A balloon dissection device comprising:a support member having a longitudinal axis; and an inflatable balloon mounted on said support member and having distal and proximal portion, said inflatable balloon comprises a thin layer of uniform material wherein the thickness of the material is increased intermittently to form internally facing first and second plurality of elongate ribs, said first and second plurality of ribs having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said support member, said first plurality of ribs extending from said proximal portion to an intermediate point between said proximal and distal portions of said balloon, said second plurality of ribs extending from adjacent said intermediate point in spaced relation with said first plurality of ribs to said distal portion of said balloon, and said balloon having a longitudinal axis along said support member, wherein the thickness of a non-ribbed portion of said thin layer of material is greater along a central portion of said balloon than said proximal and distal portions of said balloon.