Expandable introducer system and methods
An expandable introducer with embodiments that may include a fastener, tubular member, sleeve and combinations thereof. The sleeve may have a wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The sleeve may include a slit through the wall, which may allow the sleeve to be decreased in diameter for implantation and/or increased in diameter after implantation for alignment. The sleeve may include two slits in the tubular wall thereby forming two semi-tubular members. The semi-tubular members may be placed separately at the implantation site then aligned to form a tubular member. The tubular member may include threads, pebbles, bumps, ridges, hills, openings and combinations thereof.
1. A method for using an expandable introducer to access a portion of a body, the method comprising:
introducing a sleeve into the body, the sleeve having a uniform cylindrical shape without external projections, the sleeve including a tubular member having a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall having exactly two longitudinal slits forming exactly two substantially parallel semi-tubular portions, the two substantially semi-tubular portions having an inner surface that extends an entire width of each semi-tubular portion, an outer surface void of external projections, and a plurality of holes in each semi-tubular portion, wherein the two slits extend lengthwise along the sleeve, each slit having a substantially constant initial width, wherein the inner surface of the two substantially semi-tubular portions and the slits define a passage having a substantially constant initial width extending lengthwise of the sleeve;
flexing both of the two semi-tubular portions to expand the width of at least a portion of at least one of the two slits to widen at least a portion of the passage to a second width; and
positioning a tissue fixation implant in the body through the passage of the sleeve,
wherein the cylindrical wall of the tubular member of the sleeve is configured to position between a vertebrae and the tissue fixation implant, such that the tubular member of the sleeve is configured to engage both the vertebrae and the tissue fixation implant.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the semi-tubular portions are configured to form a substantially circular cross section.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is polymeric.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tissue fixation implant is a k-wire.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tissue fixation implant is a rod.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tissue fixation implant is a cable.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tissue fixation implant is at least one of a suture and screw.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tissue fixation implant and sleeve includes a radiopaque material.