Fluid operated retractors
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- providing an apparatus having a distal portion and an expandable bladder coupled to the distal portion, the expandable bladder having surfaces configured to engage and spread apart adjacent vertebrae of a spine;
positioning a cannula to access the spine;
introducing the apparatus through the cannula such that at least a portion of the expandable bladder is positioned between the adjacent vertebrae; and
inflating the expandable bladder to spread the adjacent vertebrae apart.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid operated retractor for use in surgery. The retractor has a portion that is expandable upon the introduction of fluid under pressure. The expandable portion is made of a material strong enough, and is inflated to enough pressure, to spread adjoining tissues within the body. The retractor is especially useful in fiber optic surgery because it can be inserted percutaneously through a small opening then expanded to a much larger dimension when in the desired location, to retract tissue from within. The retractor may be used to spread a joint, such as a knee joint or shoulder joint, or may be used to separate tissue planes generally, to improve visualization and create a working space for the surgeon.
164 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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providing an apparatus having a distal portion and an expandable bladder coupled to the distal portion, the expandable bladder having surfaces configured to engage and spread apart adjacent vertebrae of a spine; positioning a cannula to access the spine; introducing the apparatus through the cannula such that at least a portion of the expandable bladder is positioned between the adjacent vertebrae; and inflating the expandable bladder to spread the adjacent vertebrae apart. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method, comprising:
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positioning a cannula to access a spine; providing an apparatus having a distal portion and an expandable bladder coupled to the distal portion, the expandable bladder having surfaces configured to spread apart adjacent vertebrae of the spine; introducing the apparatus through the cannula to access a space between the adjacent vertebrae; positioning the expandable bladder between the adjacent vertebrae; inflating the expandable bladder to spread the adjacent vertebrae apart; and operating on the spine using an instrument introduced between the expanded vertebrae. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method, comprising:
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positioning a cannula to access a spine; providing an apparatus having an expandable bladder, the expandable bladder having surfaces configured to engage and spread apart adjacent vertebrae of the spine; introducing at least a portion of the apparatus that includes the expandable bladder through the cannula to access the adjacent vertebrae; positioning the expandable bladder between the adjacent vertebrae; and inflating the expandable bladder to spread the adjacent vertebrae apart. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification