Inflatable devices for separating layers of tissue, and methods of using

• US 5,632,761 A
• Filed: 03/16/1995
• Issued: 05/27/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Origin Medsystems Inc. (Eli Lilly and Company)
• Inventors: Smith, Jeffrey A., Moll, Frederic H., Chin, Albert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): DAWSON, GLENN K
• Application Number:
  US08/405,284
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/190-200, 604/96-104, 600/207, 600/201, 600/204
• US Class Current: 606/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy
• 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 17/0281 Abdominal wall lifters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22032 having inflatable gripping elements balloon catheters A61M25/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• 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 2017/22059 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320048 Balloon dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3486 Balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms

Abstract

An apparatus and method for separating tissue layers and providing a working space for performing a medical procedure. A first balloon is inserted between the tissue layers and inflated to dissect the tissue layers. A second balloon is also positioned between the tissue layers and inflated to retract the tissue layers. The first balloon is then deflated and punctured with a sharp instrument to created an opening in the first balloon. The second balloon is positioned to impede the escape of insufflation fluid from the working space and the working space is then insufflated. An instrument for performing the medical procedure may then be introduced into the working space through the opening in the first balloon.

Claims

1. A device for separating tissue layers, comprising:

a first tube;

a second tube slidably coupled to the first tube;

a first balloon coupled to the first tube, the first balloon having an interior;

a third tube; and

a second balloon coupled to the second tube, the second balloon being positioned within the interior of the first balloon, and the second balloon being coupled to the second and third tubes.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the first tube includes a contracting portion.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first tube has a first distal end, the second tube has a second distal end, the third tube has a third distal end, the third distal end extends distally beyond the second distal end, a first portion of the second balloon is coupled to the second tube and a second portion of the second balloon is coupled to the third tube, and the second tube is positioned coaxially within the third tube with an annular space between said second tube and said third tube, whereby inflation fluid can flow through the annular space to inflate the second balloon.

4. A device for separating tissue layers, comprising:

a conduit having a plurality of independent fluid passages, wherein the conduit comprises a first tube, a second tube translatably mounted within the first tube, and a third tube;

a first balloon coupled to said conduit in fluid communication with one of said passages; and

a second balloon coupled to said conduit in fluid communication with a second one of said fluid passages, said second balloon being disposed within the first balloon, wherein;

the first tube has a first open distal end, the second tube has a second open distal end, and the third tube has a third open distal end;

the first balloon is secured to the first tube and extends over the first open distal end; and

the second balloon is secured between the second tube and the third tube.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein:

the third open distal end extends distally beyond the second open distal end, a first portion of the second balloon is coupled to the second tube and a second portion of the second balloon is coupled to the third tube, and the second balloon extends around a portion of the third tube, wherein said portion of the third tube is located distally beyond the second open distal end.

6. A device according to claim 4, wherein:

the first tube provides said one of said fluid passages; and

the second one of said fluid passages is provided by a space between the second tube and the third tube.

7. A device according to claim 4 wherein:

the second and third tubes are telescopically movable relative to the first tube to alter the position of the second balloon within the first balloon.