Method of creating an operating space endoscopically at an obstructed site ...

United States Patent [w]

Yoon et al.

US005823947A [ii] Patent Number: [45] Date of Patent:

5,823,947 Oct. 20, 1998

[54] METHOD OF CREATING AN OPERATING SPACE ENDOSCOPICALLY AT AN OBSTRUCTED SITE

[76] Inventors: InBae Yoon; Suzanne J. Yoon; Samuel C. Yoon, all of 2101 Highland Ridge Dr., Phoenix, Md. 21131

[21] Appl. No.: 882,158

[22] Filed: Jun. 25, 1997

Related U.S. Application Data

[60] Division of Ser. No. 369,545, Jan. 6, 1995, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 596,937, Oct. 15, 1990, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 222,776, Jul. 22, 1988, abandoned, said Ser. No. 369,545, is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 249,116, May 25, 1994, Pat. No. 5,514,091, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 596,937.

[51] Int. CI. A61B 17/00

[52] U.S. CI 600/207; 606/185; 606/192

[58] Field of Search 600/201, 207;

604/54, 101, 164, 264; 606/167.181, 182, 185, 191, 192

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

716,040 12/1902 Holt .

1,909,967 5/1933 Jones .

3,039,468 6/1962 Price .

3,253,594 5/1966 Matthews et al. .

(List continued on next page.)

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

0432363 2/1991 European Pat. Off. .
3519626 12/1986 Germany .

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

"Soft-Wand, Atraumatic Tissue Manipulation Balloon", Cabot Medical, 2021 Cabot Boulevard West, langhorne, PA 19047 USA.

"Expose Retractor, Inflatable Retractor", Advance Surgical, Inc., 305 College Road East, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, Patent No. 5,308,327.

"Expose Retractor, Reusable Retractor", Advanced surgical, Inc., 305 College Road East, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, Patent Pending PN 70046.

"A Conservative Aapproach to Laparoscopic Hernia Repair", Origin Medsystems, Inc. 135 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA.

"Delivering the Future First in Bladder Neck Suspension Surgery", Origin Medsystems, Inc., 135 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA.

"New Directions in Laparoscopy", Origin Medsystems, Inc., 135 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA.

Primary Examiner—Conine M. McDermott [57] ABSTRACT

An expandable multifunctional instrument for creating a space at an obstructed site in the body includes an elongate member having a distal end for being introduced in the body, a proximal end for being disposed externally of the body and an expandable member for being positioned at the obstructed site. The expandable member is movable at the obstructed site from a non-expanded position to an expanded position to displace anatomical tissue to create a space at the obstructed site for performing various operative procedures. A method of creating a space at an obstructed site includes expanding an expandable member at the obstructed site and/or introducing fluid under pressure at the obstructed site to create a space where normally no space exists.

10 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets

Page 2

3,459,175 3,495,586 3,512,528 3,557,794 3,598,119 3,635,223 3,833,003 3,882,852 3,890,970 3,952,742 4,019,499 4,043,338 4,077,412 4,089,337 4,219,026 4,291,687 4,372,295 4,430,076 4,535,773 4,568,326 4,575,371 4,607,619 4,608,965 4,748,982 4,775,362 4,966,583 4,998,527 5,002,557 5,002,558 5,007,898