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Endoscopic inflatable retraction device with fluid-tight elastomeric window

  • US 5,562,603 A
  • Filed: 06/05/1995
  • Issued: 10/08/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for laparoscopically retracting an organ inside the body to provide access to an adjacent tissue for a surgical instrument, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

  • a chamber enclosed by a thin, flexible envelope;

    means for selectively inflating the chamber to an expanded state following laparoscopic introduction of the envelope in a collapsed state into the body, inflation of the chamber to the expanded state retracting the organ to a retracted state, the chamber in the expanded state obstructing access of the surgical instrument to the tissue; and

    an elastomeric sealing means, adapted for attachment to part of the envelope inside the chamber following inflation of the chamber to the expanded state, for providing a gas-tight seal to maintain the chamber in the expanded state, and to maintain the organ in the retracted state, notwithstanding the piercing of an aperture in the part of the envelope covered by the elastomeric sealing means following inflation of the chamber to the expanded state and following attachment of the sealing means to the envelope, the aperture being pierced to provide access for the surgical instrument passed into the chamber to contact the tissue; and

    means for carrying the elastomeric sealing means from outside the body into the chamber and for attaching the elastomeric sealing means to a part of the envelope inside the chamber when the envelope is positioned inside the body.

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