Patent ID: 9636000
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method for securing an entry port through an anatomic structure for a surgical instrument before moving a tool guide forward towards a target tissue, wherein the surgical instrument includes the tool guide, a tubular-shaped balloon, and a retractor, wherein the tubular-shaped balloon is disposed around the tool guide so that the tool guide extends within a core formed in the tubular-shaped balloon, wherein the retractor is disposed around the tubular-shaped balloon in an unexpanded configuration while the tubular-shaped balloon is in a deflated condition in which an outer diameter of the tubular-shaped balloon is less than an inner diameter of the entry port, wherein the retractor is constructed so that the retractor is expanded and locks in an expanded configuration when the tubular-shaped balloon is in an inflated condition that causes an outer diameter of the retractor to be pressed against and held in place by an inner wall of the entry port, and wherein the retractor is constructed so that the retractor remains locked without external support when the tubular-shaped balloon is deflated and no longer contacts an inner surface of the retractor, the method comprising: manipulating a tool inserted in the tool guide to cut a hole through the anatomic structure so as to form the entry port prior to disposing the retractor within the entry port; securing the entry port through the anatomic structure by: moving the tool guide forward towards the target tissue while the retractor, which is locked in its expanded configuration, is securing the entry port, wherein the target tissue is disposed so that the surgical instrument had not passed by or through the target tissue prior to positioning the surgical instrument so that the retractor in its unexpanded configuration is disposed within the entry port.