Sequential dilator system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
- at least a first dilator element having a tissue engaging portion, a gripping element engaging portion and a length, a gripping element comprising a gripping portion and a dilator element engaging portion, the gripping element removably engageable with the dilator element;
wherein when the gripping element and the dilator elements are engaged, the gripping element is operable for engaging the dilator element with a surgical opening.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a sequential dilator for use in surgery and a method for using the sequential dilator. The sequential dilator may have a bullet-shaped dilator and a plurality of dilator tubes with a removable handle. The method may include inserting a guide wire through an incision into a patient'"'"'s vertebra and subsequently inserting the bullet-shaped dilator and dilator tubes with tapered ends and of increasing size into the incision to increase the size of the incision. A kit including the components necessary for the method is also disclosed.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
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at least a first dilator element having a tissue engaging portion, a gripping element engaging portion and a length, a gripping element comprising a gripping portion and a dilator element engaging portion, the gripping element removably engageable with the dilator element;
wherein when the gripping element and the dilator elements are engaged, the gripping element is operable for engaging the dilator element with a surgical opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A surgical dilator system comprising
at least a first dilator tube comprising an tissue engaging portion and handle engaging portion, the handle engaging portion further comprising an outer surface having a first surface feature; a handle portion comprising;
an outer surface configured for gripping by a user, and an inner surface configured to engage the handle engaging portion of the first dilator tube, the inner surface having a first surface feature;
wherein when the dilator tube is received within the handle the corresponding surface features provisionally axially lock the tube to the handle to allow the dilator to be inserted into a surgical opening by a user gripping the handle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for enlarging an incision in a patient, said method comprising:
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(a) making an incision through at least the skin of the patient;
(b) inserting a guide wire into the incision and advancing a distal end of the guide wire to a location adjacent a targeted surgical site in the patient'"'"'s body;
(c) providing at least a first dilator element having proximal and distal ends and inner and outer surfaces;
(d) providing a first handle element configured to releasably engaging the proximal end of the dilator element;
(e) engaging the dilator element with the handle element;
(f) using the handle to position the distal end of the dilator element over the guide wire;
(g) using the handle to advance the dilator element along the guide wire until the distal end of the dilator element is positioned adjacent the surgical site; and
(h) releasing the handle element from the proximal end of the dilator element, leaving the dilator element in the incision. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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- 44. A kit comprising a plurality of dilator elements each having proximal and distal ends, and at least one handle configured to removably engage the proximal ends of the plurality of dilator elements.
Specification