Apparatus and method for dilating ligaments and tissue by the alternating insertion of expandable tubes
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorMichael James Schendel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There is disclosed an apparatus and method for dilating the ligamentum flava or other soft tissue in the human body comprising a radially expandable dilator defining a first expandable tube and an offset tubular guide. A second expandable tube having an integral external guide cam is inserted into the opening of the first expandable tube and aligned with the slit in the first tube effecting radial expansion of the expandable dilator, thereby causing dilation of the ligamentum flava or other tissue. The dilation of the ligamentum flava or other tissue allowing insertion of larger medical leads or surgical instruments into the epidural space.
Claims19
An apparatus for dilating the ligamentum flava or other soft tissue comprising:
- a first radially expandable dilator having a proximal end and a distal end, the dilator defining an opening and having a plurality of slits spaced equidistant around the periphery of the dilator and extending from the distal end toward the proximal end;
- and
- a tube having an external diameter larger than the opening in the first dilator, the tube effecting radial expansion of the first dilator upon the insertion of the tube into the opening of the first dilator.
An apparatus for dilating the ligamentum flava or other soft tissue comprising:
- a first radially expandable dilator having a proximal end and a distal end, the first dilator further comprising a first expansion tube and an offset guide connected to the first expansion tube, the first expansion tube defining an opening and having a slit;
- and
- a second radially expandable dilator defining a second expansion tube and a guide cam positioned externally on the second expansion tube, the second expansion tube positioned within the opening of the first expansion tube with the guide cam inserted into the slit of the first expansion tube, whereby the guide cam of the second dilator effects radial expansion of the first dilator.
A method for dilating the ligamentum flava and other soft tissue within a human body comprising the steps of:
- percutaneously inserting a first expandable dilator to a targeted location within the human body, the first dilator defining a first expandable tube having an opening and defining a slit, and an offset guide connected to the first expandable tube, the guide receiving a guide wire;
- and
- inserting a second radially expandable dilator into the first dilator, the second expandable dilator defining a second expandable tube and a guide cam, the second expandable tube being inserted into the opening of the first expandable tube with the guide cam inserted into the slit in the first expandable tube, whereby the guide cam effects radial expansion of the first expandable tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.