Expandable spinal sheath and method of use
First Claim
1. A percutaneous access sheath assembly comprising:
- an elongate tubular structure, a distal portion of said elongate tubular structure being expandable from a first cross-sectional profile to a second cross-sectional profile;
malleable reinforcing structures embedded within the wall of the distal portion, wherein the malleable reinforcing structures maintain the configuration of the distal portion in the state where it is forced by either manufacturing processes or expansion by a dilator;
a proximal portion of said elongate tubular structure being non-expandable;
a transition zone tapering from said larger non-expandable proximal portion to said smaller cross-section distal portion; and
a dilator comprising a balloon positionable inside said elongate tubular structure, wherein inflation of the balloon causes at least a portion of said distal portion to expand diametrically, wherein the balloon is removable from said elongate tubular structure after it has expanded the distal section and has been at least partially deflated;
wherein the first tapering point is present before said balloon is inflated but not after said balloon is inflated.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an expandable percutaneous sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration by a removable tubular restraint or by structural elements built into the wall of the expandable portion of the sheath. In one application, the sheath is utilized to introduce a formed in place orthopedic fixation rod such as for use in spinal fixation procedures, preparation of a spinal segment, or placement of a vertebral body spacer. The sheath can further comprise structural elements to permit re-collapse of the sheath under fluid pressure following completion of the procedure and prior to removal from the patient.
123 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A percutaneous access sheath assembly comprising:
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an elongate tubular structure, a distal portion of said elongate tubular structure being expandable from a first cross-sectional profile to a second cross-sectional profile; malleable reinforcing structures embedded within the wall of the distal portion, wherein the malleable reinforcing structures maintain the configuration of the distal portion in the state where it is forced by either manufacturing processes or expansion by a dilator; a proximal portion of said elongate tubular structure being non-expandable; a transition zone tapering from said larger non-expandable proximal portion to said smaller cross-section distal portion; and a dilator comprising a balloon positionable inside said elongate tubular structure, wherein inflation of the balloon causes at least a portion of said distal portion to expand diametrically, wherein the balloon is removable from said elongate tubular structure after it has expanded the distal section and has been at least partially deflated; wherein the first tapering point is present before said balloon is inflated but not after said balloon is inflated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A port access apparatus for providing access to a patient'"'"'s spinal column through a puncture in the skin;
- the sheath comprising;
a sheath having a distal portion, a proximal portion and a lumen extending therebetween, the proximal portion adapted to extend out of the patient and the distal portion adapted to extend through a puncture in the skin, through a muscular structure, and opening and providing access to a target region of the spine, wherein the sheath comprises at least one diametrically expandable region that comprises a malleable reinforcement structure configured to maintain the at least one diametrically expandable region in a first cross-sectional configuration in which the at least one diametrically expandable region is longitudinally folded into a reduced cross-sectional profile having a first lumen diameter and can be expanded into a second cross-sectional configuration in which the at least one diametrically expanded region is unfolded to a larger cross-sectional profile having a second lumen diameter that is larger than said first lumen diameter. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- the sheath comprising;
Specification