Apparatus and method for developing an anatomic space for laparoscopic hernia repair and patch for use therewith
First Claim
1. An apparatus for creating an anatomic space comprising:
- a tubular member having a bore extending therethrough;
a substantially rigid tunneling shaft slidably mounted in said bore of said tubular member, said tunneling shaft having a blunt distal end for tunneling bluntly through tissue;
a deflated balloon disposed alongside said tunneling shaft;
means for securing said balloon to said tunneling shaft;
a sheath enclosing said balloon, said sheath having a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting said sheath to be removed from said balloon; and
means for inflating said balloon after said sheath has been removed to create the anatomic space.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body including 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.
342 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for creating an anatomic space comprising:
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a tubular member having a bore extending therethrough; a substantially rigid tunneling shaft slidably mounted in said bore of said tubular member, said tunneling shaft having a blunt distal end for tunneling bluntly through tissue; a deflated balloon disposed alongside said tunneling shaft; means for securing said balloon to said tunneling shaft; a sheath enclosing said balloon, said sheath having a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting said sheath to be removed from said balloon; and means for inflating said balloon after said sheath has been removed to create the anatomic space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification