Active cannulas

• US 20040193181A1
• Filed: 04/07/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• 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:
  US10/820,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20040193181A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/119
• 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 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3439 with means for changing the inner diameter of the cannula, e.g. expandable A61B17/3423, A61B17/3431 take precedence; catheters A61M25/0662
• 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 2017/3486 Balloon
• 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 25/06 Body-piercing guide needles or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

An active cannula which does more than merely maintain a passage is usable to create and/or enlarge a 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 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. The cannulas 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, expand an existing space or a potential space for working or visualization, move tissue (for example, to stretch an incision), or protect tissue.

Claims

1-11. -11. (cancel)

12. A surgical device for providing a working passage through tissue, the surgical device comprising:

an elongate tubular member having proximal and distal openings defining a bore therethrough; and

at least two wall segments disposed on said tubular member, each wall segment having an uninflated state and an inflated state wherein the at least two wall segments are longitudinally spaced apart on said tubular member.

13. The surgical device of claim 12, wherein the bore is dimensioned to receive an endoscopic instrument.

14. The surgical device of claim 12, wherein each wall segment extends circumferentially about the tubular member.

15. The surgical device of claim 12, wherein a surface of each wall segment is substantially flush with an exterior surface of said tubular member when said wall segment is in the uninflated state.

16. The surgical device of claim 12, wherein each wall segment has an outside diameter greater than an outside diameter of the tubular member when said wall segment is in the inflated state.

17. The surgical device of claim 12, wherein when the at least two wall segments are in the inflated state, the at least two wall segments define a gap therebetween.

18. The surgical device of claim 17, wherein the at least one layer of tissue is captured by said gap.

19. A method of positioning a surgical access device through tissue of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting the surgical access device through tissue, said surgical access device comprising;

an elongate tubular member having proximal and distal openings defining a bore therethrough; and

first and second wall segments disposed on said tubular member, each wall segment having an uninflated state and an inflated state wherein the first and second wall segments are longitudinally spaced apart on said tubular member;

introducing a fluid under pressure to the first wall segment causing it to go from its uninflated state to its inflated state; and

positioning said surgical access device such that at least a portion of the first wall segments is in contact with tissue.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said bore is dimensioned to accommodate an endoscopic instrument.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

introducing a fluid under pressure to the second wall segment causing it to go from its uninflated state to its inflated state and defining a gap between said first and second wall segments.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one layer of tissue captured in said gap.