Tissue separation apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for separating tissue layers, the apparatus comprising:
- a shaft comprising a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis, and a first separating member at a first length along the longitudinal axis and a first angle from the longitudinal axis, wherein the first separating member has a contracted state and an expanded state, means for facilitating passage of the shaft between first and second tissue layers, and the shaft and the first separating member being placeable between the first tissue layer and the second tissue layer, whereby the first separating member parts the first tissue layer from the second tissue layer in the expanded state and severs the first tissue layer in the contracted state.
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Abstract
A tissue separation apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus can have a separating member that has a contracted state and an expanded state. When the separating member is placed between first and second tissue layers, the separating member can part the first tissue layer from the second tissue layer. The separating member can be moved into the contracted state to sever the first tissue layer. Methods of making and using the prosthesis are also disclosed.
82 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for separating tissue layers, the apparatus comprising:
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a shaft comprising a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis, and a first separating member at a first length along the longitudinal axis and a first angle from the longitudinal axis, wherein the first separating member has a contracted state and an expanded state, means for facilitating passage of the shaft between first and second tissue layers, and the shaft and the first separating member being placeable between the first tissue layer and the second tissue layer, whereby the first separating member parts the first tissue layer from the second tissue layer in the expanded state and severs the first tissue layer in the contracted state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A vascular layer separating apparatus comprising:
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a shaft having proximal and distal portions, the distal portion having a vascular layer separating tip; and
a separating member at the distal portion movable between a contracted state, positioned along these shaft, and an expanded state, positioned spaced apart from the shaft, the separating member extending along a generally helical, vascular layer separating path when in the expanded state.
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Specification