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

• US 6,758,853 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2002
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• 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:
  US10/076,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20020107539A1
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/191-200, 606/213, 128/898, 600/201, 600/204, 600/207, 600/210, 604/96-1-1
• 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
• 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 including 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. In a method for laparoscopic hernia repair through the preperitoneal space of a patient having an abdominal area with overlying tissue and a peritoneum with a preperitoneal area being disposed between the overlying tissue and the peritoneum using laparoscopic apparatus having an introducer device with a tubular member having a bore therein, a tunneling assembly disposed in the bore and a balloon wrapped about a tunneling shaft and a removable sleeve enclosing the balloon, the method comprising the steps of making an incision in the abdominal area, introducing the laparoscopic apparatus into the incision so that the tubular member of the introducer device is disposed in the preperitoneal area, advancing the tunneling shaft with the balloon thereon to separate the overlying tissue from the peritoneum, removing the sleeve to expose the balloon, inflating the balloon with a balloon inflating medium to create a dissected preperitoneal space between the peritoneum and the overlying tissue, deflating the balloon, removing the balloon, insufflating the dissected preperitoneal space with a gas, introducing a graft into the dissected preperitoneal space, positioning the graft in the desired location, and deflating the preperitoneal space to permit the graft to come into contact with tissue overlying the peritoneum, removing the introducer device and closing the incision.

2. A method as in claim 1 together with the step of introducing the graft into the dissected preperitoneal space with an additional balloon as the additional balloon is introduced in the dissected preperitoneal space.

3. A method as in claim 2 together with the step of forming the additional balloon and the graft into at least one roll and wherein the additional balloon and the graft are introduced into the dissected preperitoneal space as a roll.

4. A method as in claim 3 together with the step of causing the additional balloon to unroll in a single direction as it is inflated.

5. A method as in claim 3 wherein the additional balloon is unrolled in first and second directions as the additional balloon is inflated.