Patent ID: 6514272
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
An expansible tunneling apparatus for creating an anatomic working space in a body comprising:a substantially rigid tubular member having a bore therein and an open distal end; a rigid tunneling shaft having a blunt distal end for tunneling bluntly through tissue in the body, said rigid shaft slidably receivable in said bore of said tubular member; a first obturator slidably mounted on said tunneling shaft and having a rounded distal tip; a second obturator mounted on a distal end of said tunneling shaft, said first and second obturators being of a size so that said first and second obturators can pass through said bore; a balloon carried by said tunneling shaft during tunneling through tissue; a releasable sheath surrounding at least a portion of said balloon, when deflated; and means for inflating said deflated balloon after tunneling to a desired location to create the anatomic working space.