Devices, systems, and methods for tunneling between tissue layers
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorsAustin Grant Johnson, Paul Smith, Ryan V. Wales
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Blunt tissue dissection using a sharp cutting instrument to make an initial cut in tissue and an inflatable device to further separate tissue layers on either side of the cut. The sharp cutting instrument may be advanced through the lumen of an elongate delivery member such as through a working channel of a medical scope. The inflatable device is inserted over the exterior of the elongate delivery member.
Claims20
A system for tunneling between tissue layers, said system comprising:
- an elongate delivery member;
- a cutting device deliverable with said elongate delivery member;
- and
- an inflatable device positionable on a distal end of said elongate delivery member, wherein said inflatable device is shaped to facilitate insertion into a cut area of tissue cut by said cutting device.
A method of performing blunt dissection of tissue, said method comprising:
- advancing a cutting device to a target site within a patient;
- cutting tissue with the cutting device;
- advancing an inflatable device into the cut tissue;
- and
- inflating the inflatable device to separate the cut tissue further.
A method of performing endoscopic tissue dissection, said method comprising:
- advancing a cutting device through a working channel of a medical scope to a target site within a patient;
- cutting tissue with the cutting device;
- advancing an inflatable device over the medical scope and into the cut tissue;
- and
- inflating the inflatable device to separate the cut tissue further.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.