Longitudinal dilator
First Claim
1. An apparatus for performing a surgical procedure comprising:
- an inner cannula having an elongated body and a tip positioned at a distal end of the elongated body; and
an outer expandable sheath disposed about the inner cannula and configured to expand in an outward direction responsive to the tip of the inner cannula passing through the sheath.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method for dilation of tissue utilize a tissue expansion device positioned on an inner cannula with an outer overlying expansive sheath that expands upon translation of the tissue expansion device therethrough. The tissue expansion device may be an olive or wedge formed near the tip of the cannula, and the expansible sheath includes two elongated shells that are fixably attached near proximal ends, and that are resiliently connected near distal ends. Translating the tissue expansion device through the expansible sheath expands the dimension of the shells to provide even dilation of surrounding tissue. Additionally, tissue dilation is performed in one continuous motion of retracting the inner cannula through the expansible sheath or pushing the tissue expansion device through the expansible sheath. The outer expansible sheath may be removed from the inner cannula to provide a dissection instrument having minimal outer diameter. The tissue expansion device may provide two stage expansion from a minimal outer dimension in one configuration to a second larger outer dimension in response to an applied axial force to provide enhanced tissue dilation.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for performing a surgical procedure comprising:
-
an inner cannula having an elongated body and a tip positioned at a distal end of the elongated body; and
an outer expandable sheath disposed about the inner cannula and configured to expand in an outward direction responsive to the tip of the inner cannula passing through the sheath. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An elongated cannula for performing endoscopic procedures comprising:
-
an instrument lumen within the cannula having an access port positioned at a proximal end of the cannula for receiving instruments into the instrument lumen;
an endoscopic lumen disposed within the cannula;
a wire lumen within the cannula;
a wire positioned within the wire lumen having a distal end attached to a distal end of the cannula; and
an articulating lever positioned near the proximal end of the cannula attached to the proximal end of the wire, for tensioning the wire in a first position to deflect a distal portion of the cannula out of alignment with a proximal portion of the cannula, and for relaxing the wire in a second position of the lever to orient the distal portion of the cannula substantially in alignment with the proximal end of the cannula. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
Specification