Apparatus and methods for developing an anatomic space for laparoscopic hernia repair and patch for use therewith
First Claim
1. In an apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body, an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough, a tunneling shaft assembly slidably mounted in the bore of the tublar member, said tunneling shaft assembly including a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities, a balloon assembly, means carried by the balloon assembly for removably securing the balloon assembly to the tunneling shaft, said balloon assembly including a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft, a sheath enclosing said balloon and carried by said tunneling shaft, said sheath having a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting said sheath to be removed to release the balloon, and the balloon having a generally planar shape, so that the balloon progressively unwraps, the balloon expanding to create seperation forces in the tissue generally perpendicular to the plane of the balloon to create the anatomic space.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
17 Claims
- 1. In an apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body, an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough, a tunneling shaft assembly slidably mounted in the bore of the tublar member, said tunneling shaft assembly including a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities, a balloon assembly, means carried by the balloon assembly for removably securing the balloon assembly to the tunneling shaft, said balloon assembly including a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft, a sheath enclosing said balloon and carried by said tunneling shaft, said sheath having a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting said sheath to be removed to release the balloon, and the balloon having a generally planar shape, so that the balloon progressively unwraps, the balloon expanding to create seperation forces in the tissue generally perpendicular to the plane of the balloon to create the anatomic space.
Specification