Patent US5860997A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5860997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of dissecting tissue layers
Assignee: Medtronic Spine LLC
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Filing: 1995-06-05
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Granted: 1999-01-19
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Expires: 2015-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A fluid operated retractor for use in surgery. The retractor has a portion which is expandable upon the introduction of fluid under pressure. The expandable portion is made of a material strong enough, and is inflated to enough pressure, to spread adjoining tissues within the body. The retractor is especially useful in fiber optic surgery because it can be inserted percutaneously through a small opening then expanded to a much larger dimension when in the desired location, to retract tissue from within. The retractor may be used to spread a joint such as a knee joint or a shoulder joint, or may be used to separate tissue planes generally, to improve visualization and create a working space for the surgeon.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter M. Bonutti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/025; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/320036; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320725; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B2017/0256; A61B2017/320044; A61B2017/320048; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/062; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0043; A61M2025/006; A61M25/10; A61M25/1002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for dissecting a first layer of tissue from a second layer of tissue along a natural tissue plane to create a dissected region between the first and second tissue layers large enough for the performance of a surgical procedure comprising the steps of: introducing a deflated balloon between the first and second tissue layers at the location of said natural tissue plane; dissecting said first layer from said second layer for a sufficient distance along said natural tissue plane by exerting force on said layers by inflating said balloon, thereby creating said dissected region between the first and second tissue layers; deflating said balloon; removing said balloon from said dissected region; and performing a surgical procedure in said dissected region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for dissecting a first layer of tissue from a second layer of tissue along a natural tissue plane to create a dissected region between the first and second tissue layers large enough for the performance of a surgical procedure comprising the steps of: introducing a deflated balloon between the first and second tissue layers at the location of said natural tissue plane; dissecting said first layer from said second layer for a sufficient distance along said natural tissue plane by exerting force on said layers by inflating said balloon, thereby creating said dissected region between the first and second tissue layers; deflating said balloon; removing said balloon from said dissected region; and performing a surgical procedure in said dissected region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of dissecting said tissue layers creates a space between said layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said space is occupied by said balloon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said space contains said balloon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said space is an anatomic space in body tissue, said anatomic space being a volume not occupied by body tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein a portion of said anatomic space is outside said balloon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said space is an open space in body tissue, said open space being a volume not occupied by said balloon or other device or by body tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said space is a working space in body tissue, said working space being a volume not occupied by said balloon or other device or by body tissue, and sufficiently large to perform a surgical procedure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of inserting a scope into the dissected region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said balloon is left in place during the surgical procedure.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for dissecting a first layer of tissue from a second layer of tissue along a natural tissue plane to create a dissected region between the first and second tissue layers large enough for the performance of a surgical procedure comprising the steps of: making an incision in a body which incision provides access to a natural tissue plane; introducing a deflated balloon into the incision and directing it to the location of said natural tissue plane; dissecting said first layer from said second layer for a sufficient distance along said natural tissue plane by exerting force on said layers by inflating said balloon thereby creating said dissected region between the first and second tissue layers; deflating said balloon; removing said balloon from said dissected region; and performing a surgical procedure in said dissected region.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for dissecting a first layer of tissue from a second layer of tissue along a natural tissue plane to create a dissected region between the first and second tissue layers large enough for the performance of a surgical procedure comprising the steps of: making an incision in a body which incision provides access to a natural tissue plane; introducing a deflated balloon into the incision and directing it to the location of said natural tissue plane; dissecting said first layer from said second layer for a sufficient distance along said natural tissue plane by exerting force on said layers by inflating said balloon thereby creating said dissected region between the first and second tissue layers; deflating said balloon; removing said balloon from said dissected region; and performing a surgical procedure in said dissected region.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for dissecting a first layer of tissue from a second layer of tissue along a natural tissue plane to create a dissected region between the first and second tissue layers large enough for the performance of a surgical procedure comprising the steps of: introducing a deflated balloon disposed on a cannula between the first and second tissue layers at the location of said natural tissue plane; dissecting said first layer from said second layer for a sufficient distance along said natural tissue plane by exerting force on said layers by inflating said balloon, thereby creating said dissected region between the first and second tissue layers; deflating said balloon; removing said balloon from said dissected region; and performing a surgical procedure in said dissected region.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for dissecting a first layer of tissue from a second layer of tissue along a natural tissue plane to create a dissected region between the first and second tissue layers large enough for the performance of a surgical procedure comprising the steps of: introducing a deflated balloon disposed on a cannula between the first and second tissue layers at the location of said natural tissue plane; dissecting said first layer from said second layer for a sufficient distance along said natural tissue plane by exerting force on said layers by inflating said balloon, thereby creating said dissected region between the first and second tissue layers; deflating said balloon; removing said balloon from said dissected region; and performing a surgical procedure in said dissected region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of dissecting said tissue layers creates a space between said layers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said space is occupied by said balloon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said space contains said balloon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said space is an anatomic space in body tissue, said anatomic space being a volume not occupied by body tissue.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 wherein a portion of said anatomic space is outside said balloon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said space is an open space in body tissue, said open space being a volume not occupied by said balloon or other device or by body tissue.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said space is a working space in body tissue, said working space being a volume not occupied by said balloon or other device or by body tissue, and sufficiently large to perform a surgical procedure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of inserting a scope into the dissected region.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said balloon is left in place during the surgical procedure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-18 | 2002-07-20 | 2003-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-18 | 2006-07-20 | 2007-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-18 | 2010-07-20 | 2011-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |