Fluid operated retractors

• US 20040143285A1
• Filed: 01/07/2004
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1990
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Peter M. Bonutti
• Original Assignee: Peter M. Bonutti
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Application Number:
  US10/752,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20040143285A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320036 adapted for use within the carpal tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320048 Balloon dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/006 having a special surface topography or special surface properties, e.g. roughened or knurled surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence

Abstract

A fluid operated retractor for use in surgery. The retractor has a portion that is expandable upon the introduction of fluid under pressure. The expandable portion is made of a material strong enough, and is inflated to enough pressure, to spread adjoining tissues within the body. The retractor is especially useful in fiber optic surgery because it can be inserted percutaneously through a small opening then expanded to a much larger dimension when in the desired location, to retract tissue from within. The retractor may be used to spread a joint such as a knee joint or shoulder joint, or may be used to separate tissue planes generally, to improve visualization and create a working space for the surge.

Claims

1. A system for retracting opposed surfaces of a bone joint, said system comprising:

a cannula having a passage to percutaneously access a site proximate the opposed surfaces; and

a retractor including a shaft and an inflatable bladder disposed at the end of the shaft, said retractor being introducable through the cannula passage so that the bladder may be positioned between the opposed surfaces.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises at least one rigid surface.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises areas of rigidity interleaved with areas of more elasticity.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder is eccentrically shaped or mounted on the shaft.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder does not stretch when fully inflated.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder operates at inflation pressures from 10 mmHg to 1000 mmHg.

7. A system as in claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder operates at inflation pressures from 100 mmHg to 1000 mmHg.

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein the shaft is rigid.

9. A system as in claim 1, wherein the shaft is flexible.

10. A system as in any of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a viewing scope.

11. A system as in any of claim 1, further comprising an interventional instrument.