Patent ID: 9554788
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method of performing arthroscopic surgery comprising: providing an arthroscopic cannula having an arthroscopic cannula housing supporting a seal and an arthroscopic cannula extending therefrom; providing a balloon adapter having an adapter housing with an opening therethrough and an adapter cannula extending therefrom and a balloon mounted to the outer surface of the adapter cannula; inserting the arthroscopic cannula through the adapter housing opening and into the adapter cannula to form an arthroscopic cannula and adapter assembly; inserting the arthroscopic cannula and adapter assembly into a joint with the balloon traversing substantially the entire wall of the incision; inflating the balloon to form a seal between the cannula and adapter assembly and surrounding tissue distending the joint by introducing pressurized saline into the joint; performing arthroscopic surgery through the arthroscopic cannula with the cannula positioned in the adapter and with the joint distended by the pressurized saline.