Apparatus for developing an anatomic space for laparoscopic hernia repair and patch for use therewith

• US 5,702,416 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Surgical Innovations Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Genral Surgical Innovations Incorporated
• Inventors: Mollenauer, Kenneth H., Monfort, Michelle Y., Kayan, Helmut L., Kieturakis, Maciej J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US08/480,660
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/127, 606/151, 606/191-200, 604/96-104, 600/201, 600/204, 600/207
• US Class Current: 606/193
• 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 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take 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 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320048 Balloon dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0072 Delivery tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0668 splittable, tear apart
• 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 apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body includes an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A blunt tip is secured to the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided. The balloon assembly is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a deflated collapsed balloon. A sheath encloses the balloon and is carried by the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed to release the balloon.

Claims

1. A balloon assembly for use with a tunneling member comprising:

a first sheet and a second sheet of a material which is substantially inelastic within a predetermined range of inflation pressures, said first and second sheets each having outer margins, said outer margins being bonded together to form a balloon having an enclosed space;

a sleeve on said balloon for receiving the tunneling member; and

a tubular member extending into said ballon for introducing a balloon inflation medium into said enclosed space to inflate said balloon to a predetermined size and shape, as determined by said substantially inelastic material.

2. The balloon assembly of claim 1 wherein said balloon is generally oval-shaped when inflated.

3. The balloon assembly of claim 1 wherein said balloon is generally rectangular when inflated.

4. The balloon assembly of claim 1 further comprising means on said sleeve for releasably securing the tunneling member to said balloon.

5. The balloon assembly of claim 4 wherein said means on said sleeve for releasably securing the tunneling member to said balloon comprises a weakened region extending longitudinally along said sleeve, said weakened region being separable to permit said balloon to be separated from the tunneling member.

6. The balloon assembly of claim 5 wherein said weakened region is formed from a series of longitudinally spaced apart perforations.

7. The balloon assembly of claim 1 wherein said sleeve extends longitudinally along said balloon and is spaced substantially equidisant from said outer margins of said sheets.

8. The balloon assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the said outer margins of said sheets is gathered toward a central axis of said balloon when said balloon is deflated.

9. The balloon assembly of claim 8 further comprising a balloon cover for retaining said balloon in a tightly gathered relationship about the tunneling member.

10. The balloon assembly of claim 9 wherein said balloon cover is a relatively flexible tubular member which surrounds said balloon and which may be separated from said balloon.

11. The balloon assembly of claim 1 wherein said balloon has a distally extending protrusion formed in a distal region of said balloon.

12. A balloon assembly as in claim 1 wherein said first sheet has an upper surface and at least a portion of said upper surface is roughened.