Apparatus and methods for developing an anatomic space for laparoscopic hernia repair and patch for use therewith
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Abstract
Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body comprising an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.
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72 Claims
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1-54. -54. (cancel).
- 62. In an apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body, an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough, a tunneling shaft assembly slidably mounted in a bore of the introducer device, said tunneling shaft assembly including a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities, a balloon assembly, means carried by the balloon assembly for removably securing the balloon assembly to the tunneling shaft, said balloon assembly including a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft, a sheath enclosing said balloon and carried by said tunneling shaft, said sheath having a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting said sheath to be removed to release the balloon and means for forming a balloon to progressively unwrap and attempt to lie in a plane and to expand to create separation forces in the tissue generally perpendicular to the plane of the balloon to create the anatomic space.
Specification