Patent ID: 6152895
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A method for use in laparoscopic hernia repair, comprising the steps of:inserting a distal end of a laparoscope through a patient's abdominal muscles to a point outside of the patient's parietal peritoneum;inserting through said abdominal muscles, also to a point outside of the parietal peritoneum, a distal tip of an elongate instrument provided at said distal tip with a balloon in a collapsed configuration;after disposition of said balloon between said abdominal muscles and the parietal peritoneum, inflating said balloon;after an inflation of said balloon, shifting connective tissues between the abdominal muscles and the peritoneum by means of the balloon to form a pre-peritoneal space;using said laparoscope during said step ofshifting to view the connective tissues;removing said elongate instrument from said pre-peritoneal space, thereby permitting herniated tissues to project into said pre-peritoneal space; andafter removal of said elongate instrument from said pre-peritoneal space, performing a laparoscopic hernia repair operation on said herniated tissues.