IP Library › Patent Application 12002010
Patent Application
App. No. 12/002,010

Active cannulas

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/002,010
Abstract

An active cannula which does more than merely maintain a passage is usable to create and/or enlarge a passage, to position a scope or instrument, to move or locate tissue, etc. The cannula can vary in size or shape as needed, intraoperatively. Because a cannula of the present invention is expandable, the surgeon can make a relatively small incision, stretch the tissue with the expandable cannula, contract the cannula and remove it, allowing the skin to come back to its unstretched condition. Thus, a smaller incision can be made to fit the same size instrument. The cannulas can assume such a non-circular shape, to fit into a natural skin opening and cause less trauma. The devices can be used to seal off a space, expand an existing space or a potential space for working or visualization, move tissue (for example, to stretch an incision), or protect tissue.

Claims (10)

1 - 11 . (canceled)

12 : A surgical device comprising:

an elongate support member; and

an expandable member supported on the elongate support member, the expandable member including opposed rigid plates, a first flexible portion, and a second flexible portion, wherein introduction of an inflation medium increases a distance separating the rigid plates and causes radial expansion of the first and second flexible portions.

13 : The surgical device of claim 12 , wherein the first flexible portion and portions of the rigid plates define a first plane when the expandable member is in an unexpanded condition.

14 : The surgical device of claim 12 , wherein each of the rigid plates is substantially L-shaped.

15 : The surgical device of claim 14 , wherein the rigid plates are diametrically opposed from one another.

16 : The surgical device of claim 13 , wherein the second flexible portion is generally arcuate.

17 : The surgical device of claim 12 , wherein the elongate support member includes a lumen extending therethrough.

18 : The surgical device of claim 12 , wherein the rigid plates at least partially define a shape of the expandable member in an expanded condition.