Cannula for in utero surgery
First Claim
1. A cannula and cannula straightener combination for insertion in tissue, comprising:
- a cannula including an elongated rigid hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending therebetween, said distal end having a memory of directionality to bend about a radius; and
cannula straightening means for straightening said distal end of said cannula when inserted through said passageway.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cannula, a straightener, and a cannula and straightener combination for insertion into tissue, the cannula including an elongated rigid hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending therebetween. The distal end includes a memory of directionality to bend about a radius. The cannula straightener straightens the distal end of the cannula when inserted through the passageway of the cannula. The present invention also includes methods of inserting a cannula, removing a cannula, and performing surgery with a cannula in tissue or in fetal tissue. The present invention further includes methods of performing biliary cannulation in a transhepatic approach, performing fetal aortic valvuloplasty, placing catheters into the brachial plexus for pain management, placing catheters into the epidural space for anesthesia, thoracic dissection treatment, laparoscopic dissection, and hydro dissection of tissue.
128 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A cannula and cannula straightener combination for insertion in tissue, comprising:
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a cannula including an elongated rigid hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending therebetween, said distal end having a memory of directionality to bend about a radius; and
cannula straightening means for straightening said distal end of said cannula when inserted through said passageway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A cannula for insertion in tissue, comprising:
an elongated hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending therebetween, said distal end having a memory of directionality to bend about a radius and maintaining said passageway when bent. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- 26. A cannula for insertion in tissue including a bendable arm that maintains a passageway inside said cannula.
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29. A cannula and instrument combination, comprising:
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a cannula including an elongated hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending therebetween, said distal end having a memory of directionality to bend about a radius; and
an instrument for performing surgical operations, said instrument extending along a length of said passageway, said instrument including a functional end able to slide around said bend and function outside of said passageway at a site of operation.
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30. A method of inserting an introducer cannula, including the steps of:
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inserting a straight tube through tissue; and
curving a length of said tube when disposed at a site of operation. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of removing a cannula, including the steps of:
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straightening a distal end of the introducer cannula about a radius; and
removing the introducer cannula from tissue. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A method of performing surgery, including the steps of:
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inserting an introducer cannula into tissue by inserting a straight tube through tissue and curving a length of said tube when disposed at a site of operation;
introducing an instrument through the cannula, wherein the distal end of the cannula remains bent about a radius;
utilizing the instrument to perform at least one step of a surgical procedure;
removing the instrument from the site and from the cannula; and
removing the introducer cannula from tissue by straightening a distal end of the introducer cannula about a radius and removing the introducer cannula from tissue. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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Specification