Patent ID: 6494893
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A radially expandable sleeve system for forming a percutaneous surgical access port in a patient's body, comprising:a radially expandable sleeve member; an elongate expansion assembly comprising a rigid tubular member of a first diameter and a rigid elongate member receivable within said tubular member, said elongate expansion assembly being insertable through an axial lumen of the sleeve member; said expandable sleeve member including a radially expandable tubular braid having an open distal end and an open proximal end thereby defining an open ended axial lumen extending completely through said tubular braid, wherein said tubular braid is made from a mesh of non-elastic filaments which axially shortens as the braid is radially expanded upon insertion of said expansion assembly into said tubular braid, wherein said tubular braid remains expanded upon removal of said rigid elongate member from said tubular member.