Apparatus and method for dissecting tissue layers

• US 7,179,272 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2004
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• 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., Jervis, James E., Howell, Thomas A., Echeverry, Jan M., Robinson, Janine C., Kayan, Helmut, Kieturakis, Maciej J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson; Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US10/786,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20040167557A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 606190-200, 600201-210, 604 9601-109
• US Class Current: 606/190
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/320016 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 2017/00902 transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0225 flexible, e.g. fabrics, meshes, or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320048 Balloon dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320056 Tunnelers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/02 Devices for expanding tissue, e.g. skin tissue implements for holding wounds open, surgical tractors A61B17/02; implantable mammary prosthesis A61F2/12; dilators A61M29/00
• 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: A61F 2250/0003 having an inflatable pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid or gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1004 Balloons with folds, e.g. folded or multifolded
• 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 25/1027 : Making of balloon catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 : Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

An expansible tunneling apparatus and associated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure. Various embodiments of one and two piece apparatus that permit laparoscopic observation both during tunneling and during subsequent balloon dissection are disclosed. In a disclosed one piece embodiment, a tubular member has a bore extending therethrough and an open distal end. A lip is formed in the distal end of the tubular member to capture the distal tip of a laparoscope that is inserted into the tubular member to permit observation of the procedure both during tunneling to a desired location and during subsequent balloon inflation. An elongated neck of the balloon is secured to the tunneling member. The elongated neck permits the tubular member to be withdrawn slightly from the balloon after inflation to facilitate observation. After the balloon has been advanced to the desired location in the body it is inflated through a balloon inflation lumen to cause the balloon to dissect tissue and create an operating space. Various balloon constructions and a reusable design are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A surgical balloon apparatus comprising:

a tubular member having an open proximal end a distal end defining a bore therein;

a handle attached to the proximal end of the tubular member;

a balloon having an interior space and an elongate neck, wherein a portion of the elongate neck is secured to an interior portion of the handle thereby defining an annular space between the elongate tubular member and the neck, the annular space being in fluid communication with the interior space of the balloon;

an opening located on the handle, the opening being substantially aligned with the bore for receiving a surgical instrument therethrough; and

a port located on the handle, the port in fluid communication with the annular space.

2. The surgical balloon apparatus of claim 1, wherein the balloon is formed of a non-elastomeric material.

3. The surgical balloon apparatus of claim 2, wherein during inflation of the balloon, the length of the balloon along a longitudinal axis of the tubular member decreases.

4. The surgical balloon apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the tubular member is open.

5. The surgical balloon apparatus of claim 4, wherein the bore extends through the tubular member such that the open proximal end is in communication with the interior space of the balloon.

6. The surgical balloon apparatus of claim 4, wherein the handle further includes a substantially fluid-tight seal.

7. The surgical balloon apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle further includes an O-ring for capturing at least a portion of the neck for attaching the balloon to the handle.

8. The surgical balloon apparatus of claim 1, wherein the port and the annular space define a fluid path for introducing an inflation medium into the interior space.

9. The surgical balloon apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a clamp mechanism having a first ring and a second ring, each ring having a hole disposed therein, the second ring including a slot configured and dimensioned for receiving the first ring wherein the holes are dimensioned to accommodate a portion of the neck and the tubular member.

10. The surgical balloon apparatus of claim 9, wherein the clamp mechanism has a first state and a second state such that the clamp mechanism in the first state is capable of being moved along the tubular member and in the second state is in a fixed position along the tubular member.

11. The surgical balloon apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first ring includes a biasing mechanism, the biasing mechanism biasing the first ring away from the second ring.

12. The surgical balloon apparatus of claim 11, wherein the biasing mechanism includes at least one spring disposed on the first ring.

13. The surgical apparatus of claim 11, wherein the clamp mechanism is in the second state when the biasing mechanism biases the first ring away from the second ring.

14. The surgical apparatus of claim 11, wherein a force is applied to the biasing mechanism to overcome the bias thereby causing the clamp mechanism to be in the first state.