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

• US 8,187,296 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2007
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Surgical Innovations Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kieturakis, Maciej J., Mollenauer, Kenneth H., Monfort, Michelle Y., Kayan, Helmut L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLLM, JONATHAN A
• Application Number:
  US11/975,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20080058853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,681 Days
• Field of Search: 606/190, 606/108, 606/192, 600/207, 604/264, 604/270
• 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 blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• 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

An apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body comprises an introducer and a sheath. The tubular sheath may surround the introducer, and may have a weakened region along its longitudinal axis. A handle may be provided on the sheath. The handle may be adapted to be pulled proximally to separate the weakened region and allow the sheath to be removed from the introducer. The sheath may be secured to the introducer via detents or latches on the handle.

Claims

1. A surgical apparatus comprising:

a tubular member having a bore extending therethrough;

a tunneling shaft slidably mounted in the bore of the tubular member;

a deflated balloon attached to the tunneling shaft;

a sheath enclosing the balloon;

a blunt tip disposed at a distal end of the tunneling shaft, wherein the sheath holds the blunt tip in position relative to the flexible member; and

a flexible member disposed alongside the tunneling shaft, the flexible member having a distal end coupled to the blunt tip, wherein movement of the sheath allows separation of the blunt tip from the distal end of the tunneling shaft and pivotal movement of the blunt tip about the distal end of the flexible member.

2. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 further including a handle.

3. The surgical apparatus of claim 2, wherein the handle includes a proximal section, a distal section, and an intermediate section therebetween, the distal section attached to the tubular member and having a bore therein in alignment with the bore in the tubular member.

4. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheath includes a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed from the balloon.

5. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the flexible member extends proximally of the tunneling shaft.

6. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the balloon is releasably attached to the tunneling shaft.

7. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blunt tip and the tunneling shaft include corresponding structure configured and dimensioned for mating engagement to facilitate selective attachment of the blunt tip to the tunneling shaft.

8. The surgical apparatus of claim 7, wherein the blunt tip includes a slot that is adapted to receive a rounded extremity provided on the tunneling shaft.

9. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blunt tip pivots about the distal end of the flexible member such that a proximal portion of the blunt tip is distal of the distal end of the flexible member.

10. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blunt tip pivots about the distal end of the flexible member such that the flexible member becomes aligned with a longitudinal axis defined by the tubular member.