×

Method of dissecting tissue layers

  • US 5,514,153 A
  • Filed: 02/14/1994
  • Issued: 05/07/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method of creating an open space in a mass of body tissue for the performance of a surgical procedure by dissecting a first tissue layer along a natural tissue plane from a second tissue layer, said method comprising the steps of providing a cannula having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion which is expandable between a contracted condition and an extended condition, inserting the cannula into a continuous mass of body tissue at a location which provides access to a natural tissue plane and which is free of naturally occurring openings in the mass of body tissue, said step of inserting the cannula being performed with the distal end portion of the cannula leading and with the distal end portion of the cannula in the contracted condition, applying force against the first tissue layer in a direction extending transverse to a longitudinal central axis of the cannula for the purpose of causing substantial dissection of first and second layers along said natural tissue plane, said step of applying force against the first tissue layer including expanding the distal end portion of the cannula from the contracted condition to the extended condition, moving the first tissue layer away from the longitudinal central axis of the cannula under the influence of force applied against the first tissue layer by the distal end portion of the cannula during expansion of the distal end portion of the cannula from the retracted condition to the extended condition, applying force against the second tissue layer by expansion of the distal end portion of the cannula, moving the second tissue layer away from the first tissue layer under the influence of force transmitted to the second tissue layer, and forming an open space in the mass of body tissue adjacent to the distal end of the cannula as the second tissue layer moves away from the first tissue layer, said step of forming an open space being performed at a location which was free of an opening prior to initiation of said step of inserting the cannula.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×