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Expandable cannula

DC
  • US 5,674,240 A
  • Filed: 06/06/1995
  • Issued: 10/07/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An expandable cannula having a contracted condition and being expandable from the contracted condition to an expanded condition, said expandable cannula comprising a longitudinally extending tubular sheath formed of a material capable of being extended from a condition in which a longitudinally extending passage through the tubular sheath has a relatively small cross sectional size to a condition in which the passage has a relatively large cross sectional size upon expansion of said cannula from the contracted condition to the expanded condition, a plurality of wires which are enclosed by said sheath and extend along an inner side of said sheath, said wires being disposed in a longitudinally extending array having a relatively small cross sectional size when said cannula is in the contracted condition and a relatively large cross sectional size when said cannula is in the expanded condition, and a pointed end portion for piercing body tissue, said pointed end portion of said cannula being formed by an end portion of said sheath and end portions of said wires.

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