Balloon dissecting instruments

Abstract

Balloon loaded dissection devices and methods for using such devices are disclosed. One such device includes an elongate shaft having sufficient rigidity to push through body tissue free of naturally occurring openings in the body tissue alongside an elongate structure, a handle operably mounted on an end of the elongate shaft, an elongate balloon capable of assuming deflated and inflated states on the elongate shaft, and a fluid passageway in communication with the inflatable interior space in the elongate balloon for communicating an inflation fluid to the elongate balloon. The handle includes a receptacle configured to releasably receive an instrument. The receptacle defines an elongated slot laterally spaced from the elongated shaft. The elongate balloon includes an axial length substantially greater than a transverse diameter of the elongate balloon when the elongate balloon is in the inflated state. The balloon defines an inflatable interior space into which a fluid is introduced to inflate the balloon.

1 . A surgical apparatus comprising:
 an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, the elongate shaft having sufficient rigidity to push through body tissue free of naturally occurring openings in the body tissue alongside an elongate structure;   a handle operably mounted on the proximal end of the elongate shaft, the handle including a receptacle configured to releasably receive an instrument, wherein the receptacle defines an elongated slot laterally spaced from the elongated shaft;   an elongate balloon capable of assuming deflated and inflated states on the elongate shaft, the elongate balloon having an axial length substantially greater than a transverse diameter of the elongate balloon when the elongate balloon is in the inflated state, the balloon defining an inflatable interior space into which a fluid is introduced to inflate the balloon; and   a fluid passageway in communication with the inflatable interior space in the elongate balloon for communicating an inflation fluid to the elongate balloon.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the elongate shaft is located inside the inflatable interior space. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a spoon-shaped dissector attached to the distal end of said shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said spoon-shaped dissector is transparent. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a balloon cover surrounding said balloon. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said balloon cover is formed from a resilient material having sufficient elasticity to collapse said balloon about said shaft when said balloon is deflated. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said resilient cover comprises a second balloon that may be inflated independently of said balloon. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said balloon cover is a semi-rigid tubular member and is removable from said balloon. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said balloon cover is attached to said balloon and separates to release said balloon upon expansion of said balloon. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said elongate shaft is a tubular member having a lumen therein for receiving a surgical instrument. 
     
     
         11 . A surgical apparatus comprising:
 an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, the elongate shaft having sufficient rigidity to push through body tissue free of naturally occurring openings in the body tissue alongside an elongate structure;   a handle operably mounted on the proximal end of the elongate shaft, the handle including a receptacle configured to releasably receive an instrument, wherein the receptacle defines an elongated slot laterally spaced from the elongated shaft; and   a lumen therein for receiving a surgical instrument an elongate balloon capable of assuming deflated and inflated states on the elongate shaft, the elongate balloon having an axial length substantially greater than a transverse diameter of the elongate balloon when the elongate balloon is in the inflated state, the balloon defining an inflatable interior space into which a fluid is introduced to inflate the balloon, and a fluid passageway in communication with the inflatable interior space in the elongate balloon for communicating an inflation fluid to the elongate balloon.   
     
     
         12 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the distal end of the elongate shaft is located inside the inflatable interior space. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further including a spoon-shaped dissector attached to the distal end of said shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said spoon-shaped dissector is transparent. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a balloon cover surrounding said balloon. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said balloon cover is formed from a resilient material having sufficient elasticity to collapse said balloon about said shaft when said balloon is deflated. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said resilient cover comprises a second balloon that may be inflated independently of said balloon. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said balloon cover is a semi-rigid tubular member and is removable from said balloon. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said balloon cover is attached to said balloon and separates to release said balloon upon expansion of said balloon. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said elongate shaft is a tubular member having a lumen therein for receiving a surgical instrument.