# US 9,750,534 B2 · Device and method for hip distention and access > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,534 B2 - Document ID: US9750534B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/482,388 - Filed: 2014-09-10 - Published: 2014-12-25 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2007-10-30 - Assignees: Hipco, Inc. - Applicants: HIPCO, Inc. - Inventors: Marc Joseph Philippon; David Leo Bombard; John Michael Egan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750534B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/56: Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor - A61B 17/025: {Joint distractors} - A61B 17/0401: {Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811)} - A61B 17/32: Surgical cutting instruments ({A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467;} implements for ligaturing and cutting {A61B17/122, A61B17/12; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133}) - A61B 17/3415: {for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters (A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06)} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00557: {inflatable (A61B2017/22051 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00849: {with respect to tissue, e.g. hollow organs} - A61B 2017/0268: {for the knee} - A61B 2017/0275: {for the hip} - A61B 2017/2925: {Pistol grips} - A61B 2017/320044: {Blunt dissectors} - A61B 2017/3445: {used as instrument channel for multiple instruments} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A device for accessing and distending a joint comprises a distraction structure having a generally tapered distal portion adapted to penetrate a tissue region and create an access space within a joint. The distraction structure also includes a lumen extending from a proximal surface to a distal portion. The device further includes a distention structure deployable through the lumen and adapted to exert a force between a first joint surface and a second joint surface and create a working space. The distention structure may, in some embodiments, include an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending along at least a portion of the length of the elongate member, a first expandable region deployable from a first substantially collapsed position to a second substantially expanded position, the first expandable region adapted to exert a force between the first joint surface from the second joint surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A medical instrument for distending a joint, the joint including a first joint surface and a second joint surface, the medical instrument comprising: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lumen extending through the tubular member between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular member; a distal opening of the lumen at the distal end the tubular member; a proximal opening of the lumen at the proximal end of the tubular member; at least one expandable unit in fluid communication with the distal opening such that the distal opening of the lumen fluidly communicates with the interior of the at least one expandable unit; a tapered distal structure extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the tapered distal structure configured for penetrating capsular tissue; a fluid movement device attachable to the proximal end of the lumen capable of establishing a fluid connection between the fluid movement device and the proximal opening of the lumen, and capable of establishing a fluid connection between the fluid movement device and the interior of the at least one expandable unit by fluid flow through the lumen and into the interior of the at least one expandable unit; and a handle attachable to the tubular member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The medical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first joint surface is acetabulum and the second joint surface is a femoral head. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The medical instrument of claim 1, further comprising: an at least second lumen of the tubular member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The medical instrument of claim 3, wherein the at least second lumen has a first opening at or near the proximal end of the tubular member and is a blind lumen, the at least second lumen capable of receiving a guide wire. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The medical instrument of claim 4, wherein the first opening of the at least second lumen is separate from the opening of the tubular member extending between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The medical instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one expandable unit fluidly attachable to the distal end of the tubular member is positionable within a body site by maneuvering of the handle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The medical instrument of claim 6, wherein the body site is a joint. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method of distending a joint, the joint including a first joint surface and a second joint surface, comprising: using a medical instrument according to claim 1. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the distal end of the tubular member is advanced into a desired location in a joint to be distended; and the at least one expandable unit is expanded by fluid pressure from the fluid movement device through the lumen of the tubular member, thereby distending within the joint. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising maneuvering the at least one expandable unit into a desired position in the joint before, during, or after expansion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising maneuvering the at least one expandable unit into a desired position in the joint before, during or after expansion by a guide wire located within at least a second lumen of the tubular member having a first opening at or near the proximal end of the tubular member, and wherein the at least second lumen is a blind lumen. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising guiding by maneuvering of the handle the at least one expandable unit into a desired position in the joint before, during or after expansion in a joint. ### Claim 13 A medical device for distending a joint, the joint including a first joint surface and a second joint surface, the medical device comprising: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; a lumen extending through the tubular member between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular member; a distal opening of the lumen at the distal end the tubular member; a proximal opening of the lumen at the proximal end of the tubular member; at least one expandable unit in fluid communication with the distal opening such that the distal opening of the lumen fluidly communicates with the interior of the at least one expandable unit; a tapered distal structure extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the tapered distal structure configured for penetrating capsular tissue; and a fluid delivery system attachable to the proximal end of the lumen, capable of establishing a fluid connection between the fluid delivery system and the proximal opening of the lumen, and capable of establishing a fluid connection between the fluid delivery system and the interior of the at least one expandable unit by fluid communication between them through the lumen. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The medical device of claim 13, further comprising a handle attachable to the tubular member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The medical device of claim 14, further comprising: an at least second lumen of the tubular member wherein the at least second lumen has a first opening at or near the proximal end of the tubular member, is a blind lumen ending within a distal region of the tubular member, and is capable of receiving a guide wire. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The medical device of claim 15, wherein the at least one expandable unit fluidly attachable to the distal end of the tubular member is positionable within a body site by maneuvering of the handle.