US7226451B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Minimally invasive access device and method
Assignee: HighRidge Medical LLC
•
Filing: 2003-10-02
•
Granted: 2007-06-05
•
Expires: 2023-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A device that provides access to a surgical location within a patient has an elongate body that has a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a passage that extends through the elongate body. The elongate body is capable of having a configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location. The first location is distal to the second location. The passage is capable of having a generally oval shaped cross section between the second location and the proximal end.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan E. Shluzas
- 👤 Gary Lowery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7002; A61B17/701; A61B1/00; A61B1/00147; A61B1/00149; A61B1/313; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/34; A61B17/3403; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B17/3423; A61B17/3439; A61B17/3462; A61B17/7004; A61B17/7007; A61B17/7035; A61B17/7037; A61B17/7038; A61B17/7041; A61B17/7044; A61B17/7074; A61B17/7076; A61B17/7082; A61B17/7083; A61B17/7091; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B90/50; A61B1/31; A61B17/16; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1757; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/32002; A61B17/7032; A61B17/7077; A61B17/7079; A61B17/88; A61B17/8875; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00261; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B90/06; A61B2090/062; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0801; A61B2090/08021; A61B2090/306; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005; A61B2217/007; A61B34/00; A61B34/70; A61B90/36; A61B90/361; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4603; A61F2/4611
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A device for retracting tissue to provide access to a spinal location within a patient, said device comprising: an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a length between the proximal and distal ends such that the distal end can be positioned inside the patient adjacent the spinal location, said elongate body comprising a generally oval shaped proximal portion and an expandable distal portion; and a passage extending through the elongate body between the proximal and distal ends; wherein said elongate body is expandable between a first configuration sized for insertion into the patient and a second configuration wherein the cross-sectional area of said passage at the distal end is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at the proximal end, wherein the passage is substantially enclosed by the elongate body between the proximal and distal ends in both the first configuration and the second configuration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A device for retracting tissue to provide access to a spinal location within a patient, said device comprising: an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a length between the proximal and distal ends such that the distal end can be positioned inside the patient adjacent the spinal location, said elongate body comprising a generally oval shaped proximal portion and an expandable distal portion; and a passage extending through the elongate body between the proximal and distal ends; wherein said elongate body is expandable between a first configuration sized for insertion into the patient and a second configuration wherein the cross-sectional area of said passage at the distal end is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at the proximal end, wherein the passage is substantially enclosed by the elongate body between the proximal and distal ends in both the first configuration and the second configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said distal portion is generally oval shaped in the first configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said proximal portion and said distal portion comprise discrete members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The. device of claim 1 , wherein said distal portion comprises a first member and a second member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said distal portion comprises a first overlapping portion and a second overlapping portion, the first and second overlapping portions defining an overlap area, wherein the extent of overlap area is reduced when said distal portion is in the second configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said proximal portion is pivotable relative to said distal portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said distal portion comprises a first dimension of about 24 mm and a second dimension of about 35 mm when said elongate body is in said first configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said distal portion comprises a first dimension of about 45 mm and a second dimension of about 70 mm when said elongate body is in said second configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 8 , wherein said distal portion comprises a first dimension of about 24 mm and a second dimension of about 35 mm when said elongate body is in said first configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said proximal portion has a cross section having a first dimension of about 24 mm and a second dimension of about 35 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said passage is defined by a metallic inner surface extending substantially entirely around a perimeter of said passage between the proximal and distal ends in both the first configuration and the second configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said elongate body comprises multiple discrete pieces defining said passage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said elongate body comprising a generally oval shaped proximal portion in the first configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said elongate body comprising a generally oval shaped proximal portion in the second configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said elongate body comprising the same generally oval shaped proximal portion in both the first and the second configurations.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for providing access to a surgical location within a patient, said device comprising: an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface, said inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body and through which surgical instruments can be inserted to the surgical location, said elongate body capable of having a configuration when located within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of said passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location, said passage being substantially enclosed at least when the elongate body is in an insertion configuration, said proximal end capable of having a generally oblong shaped cross section.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for providing access to a surgical location within a patient, said device comprising: an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface, said inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body and through which surgical instruments can be inserted to the surgical location, said elongate body capable of having a configuration when located within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of said passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location, said passage being substantially enclosed at least when the elongate body is in an insertion configuration, said proximal end capable of having a generally oblong shaped cross section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein said proximal end is capable of having a generally elliptical cross section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein said proximal end is capable of having a non-circular cross section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein the cross section is symmetrical about a first axis and a second axis, wherein the first axis is generally normal to the second axis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein the configuration of the elongate body between the first location and the second location is generally conical when the elongate body is located within the patient.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein the first location is at a distal end of the elongate body, and the second location is at a proximal end of the elongate body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein the elongate body is configured to be inserted through the skin of the patient and is sized to provide access to a spinal location.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein the elongate body is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration when located within the patient, the second configuration providing the cross-sectional area of said passage at a first location greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 23 , wherein the elongate body is expandable from the first configuration to the second configuration.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 23 , wherein the elongate body has an oblong shaped cross section at its proximal end at least when the elongate body is in the second configuration.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 25 , wherein the elongate body has an oblong shaped cross section along substantially the entire length between the proximal end and the second location.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 26 , wherein said elongate body between the proximal end and the second location has a cross section having a first dimension of about 24 mm and a second dimension of about 35 mm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 25 , wherein the elongate body has an oblong shaped cross section at its proximal end when the elongate body is in the first configuration.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein said passage is substantially enclosed by said inner surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 16 , wherein said passage is sized to receive multiple surgical instruments simultaneously.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for providing access to a surgical location within a patient, said device comprising: an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface, said inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body and through which surgical instruments can be inserted to the surgical location, said elongate body comprising a first arcuate side portion and a second arcuate side portion, said elongate body being expandable from a first configuration to a second configuration when located within the patient such that in the second configuration the cross-sectional area of said passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location, said first arcuate side portion and said second arcuate side portion being discrete members configured to substantially enclose said passage at least in the first configuration.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for providing access to a surgical location within a patient, said device comprising: an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface, said inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body and through which surgical instruments can be inserted to the surgical location, said elongate body comprising a first arcuate side portion and a second arcuate side portion, said elongate body being expandable from a first configuration to a second configuration when located within the patient such that in the second configuration the cross-sectional area of said passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location, said first arcuate side portion and said second arcuate side portion being discrete members configured to substantially enclose said passage at least in the first configuration.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein the cross sectional area of the passage is symmetrical about a first axis and a second axis, wherein the first axis is generally normal to the second axis.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein the configuration of the elongate body between the first location and the second location is generally conical when the elongate body is expanded within the patient.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein the first location is at a distal end of the elongate body, and the second location is at a proximal end of the elongate body.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein the elongate body is configured to be inserted through the skin of the patient and is sized to provide access to a spinal location.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein the elongate body has a generally oval shaped cross section at its proximal end at least when the elongate body is in the second configuration.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 36 , wherein the elongate body has a generally oval shaped cross section along substantially the entire length between the proximal end and the second location.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 37 , wherein said elongate body between the proximal end and the second location has a cross section having a first dimension of about 24 mm and a second dimension of about 35 mm.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said passage is sized to receive multiple surgical instruments simultaneously.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said passage is substantially closed from said proximal end to said distal end at least in the first configuration.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said passage is capable of having a generally oval shaped cross section between the first location and the proximal end at least in the first configuration.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 31 , wherein said first arcuate side portion and said second arcuate side portion are discrete members configured to substantially enclose said passage in the second configuration.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
184 words
A device for providing access to a surgical location within a patient, said device comprising: an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface, said inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body, said passage sized to receive multiple surgical instruments that can be inserted simultaneously to the surgical location, said elongate body being actuatable from a closed configuration to an expanded configuration wherein the cross-sectional area of said passage in said expanded configuration at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location, said proximal end of said elongate body defining an oblong shaped cross section at least in the expanded configuration, said passage being substantially enclosed in at least said closed configuration by a first generally arcuate side portion and a second generally arcuate side portion, said first and second generally arcuate side portions being discrete members capable of moving away from each other as said elongate body is actuated from said closed configuration to said expanded configuration.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
184 words
A device for providing access to a surgical location within a patient, said device comprising: an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface, said inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body, said passage sized to receive multiple surgical instruments that can be inserted simultaneously to the surgical location, said elongate body being actuatable from a closed configuration to an expanded configuration wherein the cross-sectional area of said passage in said expanded configuration at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location, said proximal end of said elongate body defining an oblong shaped cross section at least in the expanded configuration, said passage being substantially enclosed in at least said closed configuration by a first generally arcuate side portion and a second generally arcuate side portion, said first and second generally arcuate side portions being discrete members capable of moving away from each other as said elongate body is actuated from said closed configuration to said expanded configuration.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein the cross section is symmetrical about a first axis and a second axis, wherein the first axis is generally normal to the second axis.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein said elongate body between the proximal end and the second location has a cross section having a first dimension of about 24 mm and a second dimension of aboLlt 35 mm.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein the configuration of the elongate body between the first location and the second location is generally conical when the elongate body is located within the patient.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein the first location is at a distal end of the elongate body, and the second location is at a proximal end of the elongate body.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein the elongate body is configured to be inserted through the skin of the patient and is sized to provide access to a spinal location.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein the elongate body defines an oblong-shaped cross-section in the closed configuration.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein the passage is substantially enclosed by the first and second generally arcuate sides portions in the expanded configuration.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 43 , wherein the first and second generally arcuate side portions have at least one slot with a locking mechanism.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-06-04 | 2010-12-04 | 2011-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-06-04 | 2014-12-04 | 2015-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-06-04 | 2018-12-04 | 2019-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |