Arthroscopic retractors

• US 5,707,390 A
• Filed: 06/05/1995
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Surgical Innovations Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: General Surgical Innovations Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US08/466,784
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 604/101, 604/102, 600/104-108, 600/115-116, 600/153, 600/204, 600/207, 606/192, 606/159
• US Class Current: 606/204
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• 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 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320036 adapted for use within the carpal tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• 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 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00539 hydraulically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00986 Malecots, e.g. slotted tubes, of which the distal end is pulled to deflect side struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320048 Balloon dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3484 Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/006 having a special surface topography or special surface properties, e.g. roughened or knurled surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence

Abstract

A retractor for use in arthroscopic surgery. The retractor has a mechanical expanding portion for expanding against sub-surface tissues when the retractor is in use. The retractor also has a fluid-operated expanding portion, which may be independently controllable, for expanding against sub-surface tissues when the retractor is in use. The retractor is inserted through a small percutaneous opening, expanded in sub-surface tissues without significantly damaging the tissue, then collapsed after use for removal. The retractor can be manipulated to allow the surgeon to push or pull or lever on tissue. The retractor can be hollow like a cannula to permit the passage of one or more surgical devices through the retractor, with a side portal into the center of the retractor.

Claims

1. A device for creating working space inside the body by moving body tissue comprising:

a substantially rigid support member having a distal end and a proximal end,

a non-fluid actuated mechanical expanding portion for expanding inside the body to move tissue and located at the distal portion of said support member,

a fluid-operated expanding portion for expanding inside the body to move tissue located at the distal portion of said support member,

means for conveying fluid to said fluid-operated expanding portion, and

means extending proximally from said mechanical expanding portion and mechanically linked thereto for manipulating said mechanical expanding portion.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein multiple mechanical expanding portions and fluid operated expanding portions are provided.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein at least some of said mechanical expanding portions are interleaved with at least some of said fluid operated expanding portions.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said mechanical expanding portion is longitudinally spaced from said fluid-operated expanding portion.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said fluid-operated expanding portion is detachable from said mechanical expanding portion.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein a central passage is provided in said support member extending longitudinally from said distal end to said proximal end to permit passage of another device through said support member.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said fluid operated expanding portion is expandable independently of said mechanical expanding portion and said mechanical expanding portion is expandable independently of said fluid-operated expanding portion.