Expandable access systems and methods
First Claim
1. An expandable access system having contracted and expanded configurations, the system comprising:
- an expandable access device having a body that overlaps itself in a contracted configuration to define an access passage;
an expandable trocar being positionable in at least a portion of the access device; and
a sleeve disposed over at least a portion of the access device and configured to resist radial expansion of the access device,wherein expansion of the trocar radially expands the access device from the contracted configuration toward an expanded configuration.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments may include an expandable access system having contracted and expanded configurations. The system and methods may include an expandable access device having a helix or wrapped shape. Embodiments may include a cannula, stent, needle, trocar, introducer, fastener, and/or any other devices disclosed herein. Embodiments may also include an expandable trocar positionable in at least a portion of the access device. A sleeve or band may be disposed over at least a portion of the access device and configured to resist radial expansion of the access device. Expansion of the trocar and/or receipt of an object may radially expand the access device between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.
52 Citations
38 Claims
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1. An expandable access system having contracted and expanded configurations, the system comprising:
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an expandable access device having a body that overlaps itself in a contracted configuration to define an access passage; an expandable trocar being positionable in at least a portion of the access device; and a sleeve disposed over at least a portion of the access device and configured to resist radial expansion of the access device, wherein expansion of the trocar radially expands the access device from the contracted configuration toward an expanded configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An expandable access system having contracted and expanded configurations, the system comprising:
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an expandable access device having a body that includes a sheet that overlaps itself in a contracted configuration to define an access passage; an expandable trocar being positionable in at least a portion of the access device; and a sleeve disposed over at least a portion of the access device and configured to resist radial expansion of the access device, wherein the access device expands upon passage of a portion of an object in the access passage. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An expandable system having contracted and expanded configurations, the system comprising:
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an expandable access device having a body that is formed by at least one of cutting the body into a spiral or helical shape and forming a wire into a spiral or helical shape to define an access passage; a funnel connected to the access device; and a band disposed around at least a portion of the access device, wherein the access device is configured to expand from a contracted configuration toward an expanded configuration with release of the band. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for using an expandable access system having contracted and expanded configurations, the method comprising:
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providing an expandable access device with a body that overlaps itself in a contracted configuration to define an access passage; providing an expandable trocar in at least a portion of the access passage, the trocar having a trocar passage; positioning the expandable access device and trocar in a body portion of a patient; and expanding the trocar and access devices from a contracted configuration toward an expanded configuration. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification