Expandable percutaneous sheath
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an expandable percutaneous sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration by a removable tubular restraint. In one application, the sheath is utilized to introduce a formed in place orthopedic fixation rod such as for use in spinal fixation procedures.
122 Citations
25 Claims
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1-5. -5. (canceled)
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6. A method of providing percutaneous access, said method comprising:
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percutaneously inserting an elongated tubular structure having a first, smaller cross-sectional profile;
removing a tubular restraint from the elongate tubular structure; and
expanding said elongate tubular structure from said first, smaller cross-sectional profile to a second, greater cross-sectional profile. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of providing percutaneous access, said method comprising:
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percutaneously inserting an access sheath assembly, the access sheath assembly including an insertion sheath having a restraint section, and an access sheath within the insertion sheath, the access sheath having a first cross-sectional profile;
opening the insertion sheath along said restraint section; and
expanding the access sheath to a second cross-sectional profile. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification