Tissue engagement method
OwnerPeter M. Bonuttiinventor
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of engaging tissue that, for example, can be used to guide a surgical instrument or other implement. An inflatable element is positioned in a patient's body, the flow of fluid to the inflatable element is controlled with a microprocessor, and tissue is engaged in the patient's body with the inflatable element as it is inflated. The inflatable element can be accordion shaped or can include a number of inflatable elements. Additionally, the inflatable element can be guided with a guidance system as the inflatable element is inflated.
Claims23
A method comprising the steps of:
- positioning an inflatable element in a patient's body;
- controlling a flow of fluid to the inflatable element with a microprocessor to inflate the inflatable element;
- and
- engaging tissue in the patient's body with the inflatable element as the inflatable element is inflated,
- wherein the inflatable element is accordion shaped and is expanded as the inflatable element is inflated in the patient's body.
A method comprising the steps of:
- positioning an inflatable element in a patient's body;
- controlling a flow of fluid to the inflatable element with a microprocessor to inflate the inflatable element;
- engaging tissue in the patient's body with the inflatable element as the inflatable element is inflated;
- and
- guiding the inflatable element with a guidance system as the inflatable element is inflated.
A method comprising the steps of moving a plurality of inflatable elements into a patient's body, inflating selected inflatable elements of the plurality of inflatable elements without inflating other inflatable elements of the plurality of inflatable elements, and engaging the patient's body tissue with at least one of the inflatable elements.
A method comprising the steps of positioning an inflatable element having an accordion configuration in a patient's body, inflating the inflatable element while the inflatable element is in the patient's body, and engaging tissue in the patient's body with the inflatable element as the inflatable element is inflated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.