Instruments and method for performing percutaneous surgery

Abstract

A method and apparatus for repairing a defect. The apparatus includes a tubular member, an introducer and a form, wherein, in one embodiment, at least a portion of the form is formed of a biosorbable, shape memory material. The method includes the steps of accessing a percutaneous space adjacent the defect using the tubular member, placing the introducer adjacent the percutaneous space, and conducting tissue repair for the defect through the introducer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for repairing a defect comprising: 
 accessing a percutaneous space adjacent the defect using a tubular member;    placing an introducer adjacent the percutaneous space; and    conducting tissue repair for the defect through the introducer comprising inserting a form through the introducer to a position adjacent the defect, wherein at least a portion of the form comprises a biosorbable material.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the form comprises a carrier and a prosthesis.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the at least a portion of the form is one of the carrier and prosthesis.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the prosthesis is a mesh.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the carrier is a balloon.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the form has shape memory characteristics.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for performing a percutaneous procedure to repair a defect, comprising: 
 a tubular member for accessing a preperitoneal space;    a guidewire for being placed through the tubular member;    an introducer for being positioned over the guidewire; and    a form for being inserted through the introducer to a position adjacent the defect, wherein at least a portion of the form comprises a biosorbable, shape memory material.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the form comprises a balloon and a prosthesis, wherein the prosthesis is resorbable.  
     
     
         9 . A procedure for repairing a defect comprising: 
 accessing a percutaneous space adjacent the defect using a tubular member;    placing an introducer adjacent the percutaneous space; and    conducting tissue repair for the defect through the introducer comprising inserting a biosorbable material through the introducer to a position adjacent the defect, the biosorbable material being left in said position after the procedure.    
     
     
         10 . A method for repairing a hernia comprising: 
 using a tubular member to create an opening through a muscle wall to a preperitoneal space, the opening and the preperitoneal space being adjacent to a defect in the muscle wall;    inserting an introducer through the opening; and    inserting a form through the introducer to a position adjacent to a ventral surface of the defect, wherein the form serves to repair the defect and comprises a biosorbable material.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the biosorbable material is also a shape memory material.