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

• US 6,755,845 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2003
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Surgical Innovations Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: General Surgical Innovations Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Mollenauer, Kenneth H., Monfort, Michelle Y., Kieturakis, Maciej J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US10/356,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20030120299A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 600/201, 600/204, 600/207, 604/96-1-1, 606/1, 606/151, 606/190-200
• US Class Current: 606/190
• 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 blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• 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

Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body comprising an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Claims

1. A balloon assembly comprising a balloon of a non-elastomeric material defining an enclosed space, a tubular member extending into the balloon for introducing a balloon inflation medium into the space for inflating the balloon to a predetermined size and shape, as determined by the non-elastomeric material, said balloon assembly further including a tunneling shaft and a sleeve secured to the balloon, said sleeve having an open proximal end and a closed distal end defining a passage therein for slidably receiving the tunneling shaft and a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof for releasably securing said tunneling shaft to said balloon.

2. A balloon assembly as in claim 1 wherein said balloon has an oval-shaped configuration.

3. A balloon assembly as in claim 1 wherein said balloon has a rectangular configuration and wherein said tubular member is disposed along one side of said balloon.

4. A balloon assembly as in claim 1 wherein said weakened region is formed by longitudinally spaced apart perforations.

5. A balloon assembly as in claim 1 wherein said sleeve extends longitudinally of the balloon and is spaced substantially equidistant from outer margins of the balloon.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said outer margins of said balloon are adapted to be rolled over onto the tunneling shaft.

7. A balloon assembly as in claim 6 wherein said balloon is formed into a roll together with a tubular sleeve, said roll being disposed in said tubular sleeve.

8. A balloon assembly as in claim 1 wherein said balloon is rolled in one direction to form a roll.

9. A balloon assembly as in claim 8 together with a graft disposed on one side of the balloon and wherein the graft is rolled up with the balloon when the balloon is rolled into a roll.

10. A balloon assembly as in claim 1 together with a hernia repair graft removably disposed on one side of the balloon.

11. A balloon assembly as in claim 10 together with means carried by the balloon for releasably retaining the graft on the balloon.

12. A balloon assembly as in claim 11 wherein said means for releasably retaining said graft on said balloon includes flexible flaps overlying side margins of the graft.

13. A balloon assembly as in claim 12 wherein the outer margins of said balloon are rolled inwardly to form a pair of rolls together with a sleeve retaining said pair of rolls in said roll conformation.