# US 11,439,423 B2 · Diaphragm entry for posterior surgical access > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,423 B2 - Document ID: US11439423B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/582,593 - Filed: 2019-09-25 - Published: 2020-08-20 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2005-10-12 - Assignees: AtriCure, Inc. - Applicants: AtriCure, Inc. - Inventors: Andy C. Kiser; James G. Whayne; Sidney D. Fleischman; Earl W. Rogers; Rebecca Schlieman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439423B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 17/3421: {Cannulas} - A61B 17/3468: {for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires (devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069)} - A61M 29/02: Dilators made of swellable material {(balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104)} - A61B 1/04: combined with photographic or television appliances - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor - A61B 90/37: {Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation} - A61B 2017/00243: {cardiac} - A61B 2017/00278: {Transorgan operations, e.g. transgastric} - A61B 2017/0237: {for heart surgery} - A61B 2017/2906: {Multiple forceps} - A61B 2017/291: {the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/308: {with suction cups} - A61B 2017/320044: {Blunt dissectors} - A61B 2017/320048: {Balloon dissectors} - A61B 2017/3419: {Sealing means between cannula and body} - A61B 2017/3445: {used as instrument channel for multiple instruments} - A61B 2017/3484: {Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure} - A61B 2017/3486: {Balloon} - A61B 2017/3488: {Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue} - A61B 2018/00291: {using suction} - A61M 25/1002: {characterised by balloon shape (A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence)} - A61M 25/1011: {Multiple balloon catheters} - A61N 7/02: Localised ultrasound hyperthermia - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract Methods and devices described herein facilitate diaphragm entry for posterior access of body organs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An access device for creating a temporary cavity between organs in a body, the access device comprising: an elongate member having a working channel extending therethrough, the elongate member further comprising a working lumen extending therethrough, wherein the working lumen is separate from the working channel; a slot extending along a side wall at a distal end of the elongate member, wherein a distal end of the working channel is located at the slot; and an expandable member adjacent to the slot, wherein the slot extends proximally past a distal end of the expandable member, wherein the expandable member is in fluid communication with an inflation lumen within the elongate member, wherein the expandable member is configured to separate organs to form the temporary cavity when placed therebetween. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, wherein the expandable member is configured to expand non-uniformly about the elongate member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, wherein the working lumen exits the elongate member at an opening, wherein the opening is separate from the slot. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member has a cross sectional shape selected from the group consisting of an oval, a rectangle, a circle, a trapezoid, and a square. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, wherein a proximal portion of the elongate member comprises a handle, wherein the handle is configured for manipulation of the access device outside of the body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, wherein upon expansion between organs, the expandable member expands in a direction away from the slot of the working channel such that the slot is not covered by the expandable member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, further comprising a shapeable support member located within the elongate member, wherein the shapeable support member causes the elongated member to retain a shape of the shapeable support member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member further comprises at least one suction lumen located in the side wall, wherein the suction lumen terminates in a suction port located at the distal end of the elongate member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, further comprising at least one visual element located in a distal portion of the elongate member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The access device of claim 9, wherein the visual element is a fiber optic scope. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, wherein the working channel of the elongate member comprises a non-circular shape having a height and width, such that the working channel width is not equal to the working channel height. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, further comprising a locking balloon spaced axially from the expandable member to secure the device within the body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, wherein a length of the elongate member from a proximal end to the slot is about 30 cm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The access device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises at least a planar surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The access device of claim 14, wherein the expandable member is on the planar surface of the elongate member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The access device of claim 14, wherein the expandable member is on a surface of the elongate member that is adjacent to the planar surface.