Expandable percutaneous sheath
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsThanh Nguyen, George Teitelbaum, To Pham, Samuel Shaolian
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is an expandable percutaneous sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration by a removable tubular restraint. In one application, the sheath is utilized to introduce a formed in place orthopedic fixation rod such as for use in spinal fixation procedures.
Claims21
1-5. (canceled)
A method of providing percutaneous access, said method comprising:
- percutaneously inserting an elongated tubular structure having a first, smaller cross-sectional profile;
- removing a tubular restraint from the elongate tubular structure;
- and
- expanding said elongate tubular structure from said first, smaller cross-sectional profile to a second, greater cross-sectional profile.
A method of providing percutaneous access, said method comprising:
- percutaneously inserting an access sheath assembly, the access sheath assembly including an insertion sheath having a restraint section, and an access sheath within the insertion sheath, the access sheath having a first cross-sectional profile;
- opening the insertion sheath along said restraint section;
- and
- expanding the access sheath to a second cross-sectional profile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.