Tissue dissectors

Abstract

A tissue dissector is provided. The tissue dissector includes a cannula and an introducer coaxially coupled to the cannula and movable therein from a retracted position to an extended position. An introducer is coaxially coupleable to the cannula and movable therein from a retracted position to an extended position. The introducer including a generally annular lumen disposed in fluid communication with an inflation port operably disposed on the introducer and in fluid communication with an inflatable balloon that couples to the introducer. The inflatable balloon is movable from a deflated condition for positioning the introducer adjacent target tissue, to an inflated condition for separating the target tissue from nearby tissue and for providing a barrier therebetween such that the nearby tissue is not affected during the electrosurgical procedure.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical device for separating tissue, comprising:
 a cannula defining a longitudinal lumen therethrough; and   an introducer including:
 a shaft; 
 an outer member having a first portion coupled to the shaft and a second portion disposed in spaced relation to the shaft to define an annular lumen between the second portion of the outer member and the shaft; 
 an inflatable member coupled to the second portion of the outer member and in fluid communication with the annular lumen, the inflatable member transitionable between a deflated configuration permitting movement of the introducer within the longitudinal lumen defined through the cannula and an inflated configuration; and 
 an inflation port in fluid communication with the annular lumen and configured to supply an inflation fluid to the annular lumen to transition the inflatable member between the inflated and deflated configurations. 
   
     
     
         22 . The surgical device according to  claim 21 , wherein the first portion of the outer member is disposed proximal to the second portion of the outer member. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical device according to  claim 21 , further comprising an annular projection disposed around a distal end portion of the introducer and configured to engage the cannula. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical device according to  claim 23 , wherein the annular projection is disposed distal to the inflatable member. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical device according to  claim 21 , wherein the cannula defines a notch configured to receive the inflation port therein. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical device according to  claim 25 , wherein the inflation port is configured to move longitudinally within the notch upon movement of the introducer within the lumen defined through the cannula. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical device according to  claim 21 , wherein the introducer includes a distal tip configured to pierce tissue. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical device according to  claim 21 , wherein a proximal end portion of the introducer includes a flange configured to engage a proximal end portion of the cannula to control movement of the introducer within the lumen defined through the cannula. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical device according to  claim 21 , further comprising a temperature sensor disposed within the inflatable member and configured to sense a temperature of fluid within the inflatable member. 
     
     
         30 . A surgical device for separating tissue, comprising:
 an elongated shaft configured to move within a cannula;   an outer member having a first portion coupled to the elongated shaft and a second portion disposed in spaced relation to the elongated shaft to define an annular lumen between the second portion of the outer member and the elongated shaft;   an inflatable member coupled to the second portion of the outer member and in fluid communication with the annular lumen, the inflatable member configured to move between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration; and   an inflation port in fluid communication with to the annular lumen and configured to facilitate movement of the inflatable member between the inflated and deflated configurations.   
     
     
         31 . The surgical device according to  claim 30 , further comprising a cannula defining a longitudinal lumen therethrough, the elongated shaft configured to move within the longitudinal lumen defined through the cannula. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical device according to  claim 30 , wherein the first portion of the outer member is disposed proximal to the second portion of the outer member. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical device according to  claim 30 , further comprising an annular projection disposed around the elongated shaft distal to the inflatable member. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical device according to  claim 33 , wherein the second portion of the outer member is disposed proximal to the annular projection. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical device according to  claim 30 , wherein the first portion of the outer member is coupled to the elongated shaft proximal to the inflation port. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical device according to  claim 30 , wherein the elongated shaft includes a distal tip configured to pierce tissue. 
     
     
         37 . The surgical device according to  claim 30 , wherein the elongated shaft includes a proximal portion having a first diameter and a distal portion having a second diameter different than the first diameter. 
     
     
         38 . An electrosurgical system, comprising:
 a fluid source;   an electrosurgical energy source;   an electrosurgical instrument operably coupled to the electrosurgical energy source and configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue; and   a surgical device for separating tissue, the surgical device including:
 an elongated shaft configured to move within a cannula for placement in tissue; 
 an outer member having a first portion coupled to the elongated shaft and a second portion disposed in spaced relation to the elongated shaft to define an annular lumen disposed between the second portion of the outer member and the elongated shaft; 
 an inflatable member coupled to the second portion of the outer member and in fluid communication with to the annular lumen, the inflatable member configured to move between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration; and 
 an inflation port in fluid communication with to the fluid source for delivering fluid to the annular lumen to move the inflatable member between the inflated and deflated configurations. 
   
     
     
         39 . The electrosurgical system according to  claim 38 , further comprising a cannula defining a longitudinal lumen therethrough, the elongated shaft configured to move within the longitudinal lumen defined through the cannula. 
     
     
         40 . The surgical device according to  claim 38 , wherein the surgical device includes an annular projection disposed around the elongated shaft distal to the second portion of the outer member.