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Apparatus for use in fascial cleft surgery for opening an anatomic space

  • US 8,048,087 B2
  • Filed: 10/15/2007
  • Issued: 11/01/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of repairing a ventral hernia, comprising the steps of:

  • first inserting a distal end of a tubular applicator into a fascial cleft between external oblique and internal oblique muscles, the applicator terminating in a distally extending malleable flange that is reconfigurable from a first configuration to a second configuration upon application of a force, wherein the introducing flange remains in the second configuration when the force is removed;

    subsequent to inserting the tubular applicator, advancing a hollow rod within the tubular applicator into the fascial cleft to move an elastic balloon from within the tubular applicator to a position exterior thereof, the balloon moving over the flange so as to guide the balloon into the fascial cleft;

    wherein the balloon has a fill tube and the fill tube extends through the hollow rod so that the balloon is adjacent a distal end of the rod;

    after advancing the hollow rod, removing the tubular applicator and inflating the balloon through the fill tube so that a space is demonstrated between two layers of anatomically defined fascia, a shape of the inflated balloon being determined by the dimensions of the fascial cleft; and

    repairing the hernia defect.

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