Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue in the body comprising an elongate member having a distal end for being positioned at the obstructed site and a proximal end for being held externally of the body; an expandable member carried at said distal end of said elongate member, said expandable member being movable from a non-expanded position to an expanded position to separate the anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site, said expandable member including a balloon movable fluidically from said non-expanded position to said expanded position; and an outer tubular member receiving said elongate member, at least one of said outer tubular member and said elongate member being movable relative to the other of said outer tubular member and said elongate member to position said outer tubular member in an extended position wherein said expandable member is disposed within said outer tubular member and to permit movement of said outer tubular member to a retracted position wherein said expandable member is exposed from said outer tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue in the body comprising an elongate member having a distal end for being positioned at the obstructed site and a proximal end for being held externally of the body; an expandable member carried at said distal end of said elongate member, said expandable member being movable from a non-expanded position to an expanded position to separate the anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site, said expandable member including a balloon movable fluidically from said non-expanded position to said expanded position; and an outer tubular member receiving said elongate member, at least one of said outer tubular member and said elongate member being movable relative to the other of said outer tubular member and said elongate member to position said outer tubular member in an extended position wherein said expandable member is disposed within said outer tubular member and to permit movement of said outer tubular member to a retracted position wherein said expandable member is exposed from said outer tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
131 words
An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue in the body comprising an elongate member having a distal end for being positioned at the obstructed site and a proximal end for being held externally of the body; and an expandable member carried at said distal end of said elongate member, said expandable member being movable from a non-expanded position to an expanded position to separate the anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site, said expandable member including a balloon movable fluidically from said non-expanded position to said expanded position, said balloon having a preformed, predetermined configuration in said expanded position, said expandable member in said expanded position circumscribing a working opening externally of said elongate member for performing operative procedures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
131 words
An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue in the body comprising an elongate member having a distal end for being positioned at the obstructed site and a proximal end for being held externally of the body; and an expandable member carried at said distal end of said elongate member, said expandable member being movable from a non-expanded position to an expanded position to separate the anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site, said expandable member including a balloon movable fluidically from said non-expanded position to said expanded position, said balloon having a preformed, predetermined configuration in said expanded position, said expandable member in said expanded position circumscribing a working opening externally of said elongate member for performing operative procedures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
131 words
An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue in the body comprising an elongate member having a distal end for being positioned at the obstructed site and a proximal end for being held externally of the body; an expandable member carried at said distal end of said elongate member, said expandable member being movable from a non-expanded position to an expanded position to separate the anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site, said expandable member including a balloon movable fluidically from said non-expanded position to said expanded position, said expandable member in said expanded position circumscribing a working opening externally of said elongate member for performing operative procedures; and a passage in said elongate member communicating with said working opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
131 words
An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue in the body comprising an elongate member having a distal end for being positioned at the obstructed site and a proximal end for being held externally of the body; an expandable member carried at said distal end of said elongate member, said expandable member being movable from a non-expanded position to an expanded position to separate the anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site, said expandable member including a balloon movable fluidically from said non-expanded position to said expanded position, said expandable member in said expanded position circumscribing a working opening externally of said elongate member for performing operative procedures; and a passage in said elongate member communicating with said working opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue in the body comprising an elongate member having a distal end for being positioned at the obstructed site and a proximal end for being held externally of the body; and an expandable member carried at said distal end of said elongate member, said expandable member being movable from a non-expanded position to an expanded position to separate the anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site, said expandable member including a balloon movable fluidically from said non-expanded position to said expanded position, said expandable member having a multiple finger configuration in said expanded position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space endoscopically at an obstructed site in anatomical tissue in the body comprising an elongate member having a distal end for being positioned at the obstructed site and a proximal end for being held externally of the body; and an expandable member carried at said distal end of said elongate member, said expandable member being movable from a non-expanded position to an expanded position to separate the anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site, said expandable member including a balloon movable fluidically from said non-expanded position to said expanded position, said expandable member having a multiple finger configuration in said expanded position.