Patent Publication Number: US-2012041468-A1

Title: Medical dilator system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/598,986, entitled “Medical Dilator System or Dilator Device,” filed Nov. 14, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/736,661, entitled “Medical Dilator System or Dilator Device,” filed Nov. 14, 2005, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to medical devices and more particularly, relates to a medical device system for retraction of tissues and insertion of instruments in connection with surgeries. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     Surgery often requires making openings in a patient. Current techniques often use invasive techniques which result in trauma to the patient during the surgery of the patient. Therefore, there exists a need for a minimally invasive system which reduces trauma during surgery. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a medical dilating system that includes a dilator device having an elongated shape with an exterior surface, a first end and a second end. The first end of the dilator device includes a tapered tip configured to penetrate and provide an opening in the tissue of a patient, and a plurality of sleeves cooperatively configured to widen the opening in the tissue. The dilator device includes an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end of the dilator device to one or more openings in the tapered tip at the first end of the dilator device. Each of the plurality of sleeves has an elongated shape with an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume substantially extending from an opening of the first end of the respective sleeve to the second end of the respective sleeve. The plurality of sleeves include at least a first sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the first sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the dilator device, and a second sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the second sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the first sleeve. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a medical dilating system for penetrating from the surface of a tissue to a desired depth in the tissue to provide an opening in the tissue for use in surgery. The medical dilating system includes a dilator device and a plurality of sleeves. The dilator device has an exterior surface and an elongated shape with a first end, a body, and a second end. The first end of the dilator device includes a tapered tip. The body includes depth indicators to assist a user in determining a depth of penetration of the dilator device into the tissue. The dilator device includes an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end of the dilator device to one or more openings in the tapered tip at the first end of the dilator device. The plurality of sleeves each has an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from the first end of the respective sleeve to the second end of the respective sleeve. The plurality of sleeves include at least a first sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the first sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the dilator device, and a second sleeve operable to allow the internal wall of the second sleeve to be substantially positioned around the exterior surface of the first sleeve. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for penetrating and providing an opening in the tissue of a patient using a dilating medical dilating system that includes a dilator device and a plurality of sleeves. The dilator device includes an exterior surface having one or more depth indicators, a tapered end configured to penetrate and provide the opening in the tissue of the patient, and a second end. The dilator device includes an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume extending from an opening of the second end of the dilator device to one or more openings in the tapered tip at the first end of the dilator device. Each of the plurality of sleeves includes an elongated shape with an exterior surface having one or more depth indicators, a first end, a second end, and an interior wall that generally defines an open interior volume substantially extending from an opening of the first end of the respective sleeve to the second end of the respective sleeve. The method includes positioning the dilator device in the tissue of the patient, adjusting a depth of penetration of the dilator device in the tissue using the depth indicators of the dilator device, positioning the internal wall of a first one of the plurality of sleeves substantially around the external surface of the first one of the plurality of sleeves, and adjusting a depth of penetration of the first one of the plurality of sleeves in the tissue using the depth indicators of the first one of the plurality of sleeves. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a medical dilator system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a medical dilator placed through the cerebral of a patient according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a picture of a medical dilator device according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described. 
     The medical dilator system is designed to be used as a minimally invasive system (MIS) during the surgery of a patient. In operation, the medical dilator system is used to create and dilate an opening in the patient. For instance, the medical dilator system may be used for, but is not limited to, microscopic and endoscopic surgeries. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram illustrating a medical dilator system  10  is shown. The medical dilator system  10  includes a medical dilator  12 , and one or more elongated sleeves  24 ,  28  and  32  of different sizes. Each elongated sleeve having openings on both ends and a hollow interior  26 ,  30  and  34  extending therethrough. The medical dilator  12  includes an elongated member  14  having a tapered end  18 . The one or more elongated sleeves  24 ,  28  and  32  are each configured with hollow interiors  26 ,  30  and  34 , each successively larger. 
     In one embodiment, a first sleeve  24  is configured such that it may be slid around the medical dilator  12 , a second sleeve  28  may be slid around the first sleeve  24 , and a third sleeve  32  may be slid around the second sleeve  28 . This process is repeated with a fewer or greater number of sleeves until the desired dilation is achieved. This allows a small hole to be created through which a biopsy or resection can be performed. For instance, a hole of about 1 cm in diameter may be created.  FIG. 3  further shows a picture of a medical dilator device  12  according to the present invention. 
     In one possible embodiment, the medical dilator  12  includes an opening at an end opposite the tapered end  18  and a hollow interior  23  extending through at a least a portion of the medical dilator  12  to one or more holes  20  extending along a portion of the tapered end. In this arrangement, the one or more holes  20  and the hollow interior  23  are configured such that fluid may flow through the holes  20  and hollow interior  23  and egress through the end of the medical dilator  12 . Such fluids, including, but are not limited to, cerebrospinal fluid or cyst fluid, can egress through the end of the dilator  12 . 
     Optionally, the medical dilator system includes one or more exterior depth markings  22  that indicate the depth that the dilator  12  has been placed within the patient  36 . The depth markings  22  may be in any measurement unit, including, but not limited to, centimeters and inches. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram illustrating a medical dilator  12  placed through the cerebral  38  of a patient  36  according to one possible embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the medical dilator  12  is slowly inserted into the cerebral  38  of the patient  36 . Although the medical dilator  12  is shown placed through the cerebral  38  of a patient  36 , it is not limited to such use and may be effectively used throughout the body of the patient  36  where a dilation is required. For example, in some embodiments, the medical dilator  12  may be positioned at or adjacent a tumor or lesion. 
     Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention in any manner. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the disclosed concept, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.