Active cannulas

• US 20080103519A1
• Filed: 12/14/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1990
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Peter M. Bonutti
• Original Assignee: Peter M. Bonutti
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter
• Application Number:
  US12/002,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20080103519A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320036 adapted for use within the carpal tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3439 with means for changing the inner diameter of the cannula, e.g. expandable A61B17/3423, A61B17/3431 take precedence; catheters A61M25/0662
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320048 Balloon dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3486 Balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/006 having a special surface topography or special surface properties, e.g. roughened or knurled surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/06 Body-piercing guide needles or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

An active cannula which does more than merely maintain a passage is usable to create and/or enlarge a passage, to position a scope or instrument, to move or locate tissue, etc. The cannula can vary in size or shape as needed, intraoperatively. Because a cannula of the present invention is expandable, the surgeon can make a relatively small incision, stretch the tissue with the expandable cannula, contract the cannula and remove it, allowing the skin to come back to its unstretched condition. Thus, a smaller incision can be made to fit the same size instrument. The cannulas can assume such a non-circular shape, to fit into a natural skin opening and cause less trauma. The devices can be used to seal off a space, expand an existing space or a potential space for working or visualization, move tissue (for example, to stretch an incision), or protect tissue.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. :

A surgical device comprising;

an elongate support member; and

an expandable member supported on the elongate support member, the expandable member including opposed rigid plates, a first flexible portion, and a second flexible portion, wherein introduction of an inflation medium increases a distance separating the rigid plates and causes radial expansion of the first and second flexible portions.

13. :

The surgical device of claim 12, wherein the first flexible portion and portions of the rigid plates define a first plane when the expandable member is in an unexpanded condition.

14. :

The surgical device of claim 12, wherein each of the rigid plates is substantially L-shaped.

15. :

The surgical device of claim 14, wherein the rigid plates are diametrically opposed from one another.

16. :

The surgical device of claim 13, wherein the second flexible portion is generally arcuate.

17. :

The surgical device of claim 12, wherein the elongate support member includes a lumen extending therethrough.

18. :

The surgical device of claim 12, wherein the rigid plates at least partially define a shape of the expandable member in an expanded condition.