Patent ID: 6506200
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for bluntly dissecting an elongated cavity in tissue particularly along the course of a vessel using a cannula having a lumen for receiving an endoscope therein and including a rigid transparent tip disposed to seal a distal end of the lumen and directly contact tissue to be dissected, the cannula having a balloon attached to an exterior wall of the cannula proximal the tip at the distal end of the cannula and being capable of selective radial expansion, the method comprising the steps of:bluntly dissecting an initial cavity proximate the vessel; advancing the tip of the cannula along the vessel to separate tissue therefrom in direct contact with the tip under continuous visual observation through the tip to enlarge the initial cavity; repeating the prior step of separating the tissue at least until the cavity is sufficiently elongated to receive the balloon therein; sealing and insufflating the initial cavity; and selectively advancing the tip and cannula and inflating and deflating the balloon within the insufflated cavity to extend the cavity along the vessel.