Methods and systems for reducing tissue adhesion
First Claim
1. A method for interfering with formation of adhesions between two tissues, the tissues having nominal positions adjacent to each other within a patient body, the method comprising:
- inflating a balloon to separate the tissues;
deflating the balloon to allow the tissues to return toward their nominal positions; and
intermittently repeating the inflating and deflating steps during an adhesion prophylactic period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides systems and methods for interfering with the adhesion formation process. In some embodiments, the present invention makes use of intermittent blunt dissection of fibrin bridging adjacent tissues prior to the formation of adhesions. Dissection is generally provided by pulsing a balloon implanted between the tissues. Optionally, the balloon will comprise an elastic structure to disrupt the formation of fibrin between the balloon and the surrounding tissues. Alternatively, the balloon may be at least partially covered by a bio-active anti-adhesion material. In some embodiments, the anti-adhesion material forms an envelope which is left between the tissues when the balloon is removed.
93 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for interfering with formation of adhesions between two tissues, the tissues having nominal positions adjacent to each other within a patient body, the method comprising:
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inflating a balloon to separate the tissues; deflating the balloon to allow the tissues to return toward their nominal positions; and intermittently repeating the inflating and deflating steps during an adhesion prophylactic period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for controlling tissue scar formation, the method comprising:
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inserting a balloon system into a patient body, wherein a bio-active anti-adhesion material is disposed between at least a portion of the balloon system and surrounding tissues; inflating the balloon within the patient body; deflating the balloon; and removing the balloon from the patient body. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for controlling the formation of adhesions between nominally adjacent tissues, the system comprising:
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an implantable elastomeric balloon; a pressurization system in fluid communication with the balloon for repeatedly inflating and deflating the balloon so that the balloon intermittently separates the normally adjacent tissues. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for controlling the formation of adhesions between nominally adjacent tissues within a patient body, the system comprising:
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a balloon which is implantable within the patient body, the balloon being inflatable to separate the nominally adjacent tissues; a pressurization system in fluid communication with the balloon for inflating the balloon; and a bio-active anti-adhesion material covering at least a portion of the balloon. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A system for controlling the formation of adhesions between nominally adjacent tissues, the system comprising:
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an implantable balloon; and a pressurization system in fluid communication with the balloon for repeatedly inflating and deflating the balloon so that the balloon intermittently separates the normally adjacent tissues, wherein the pressurization system comprises a pump which is adapted to be implanted subcutaneously. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A system for controlling the formation of adhesions between nominally adjacent tissues, the system comprising:
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an implantable balloon; wherein the balloon comprises a substantially non-distensible inner body and a distensible toroid disposed circumferentially around the inner body, and wherein the toroid is inflatable from a small thickness to a large thickness to bluntly dissect adjacent tissues radially beyond the inner body; and a pressurization system in fluid communication with the balloon for repeatedly inflating and deflating the balloon so that the balloon intermittently separates the normally adjacent tissues.
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Specification