Apparatus and method for developing an anatomic space for laparoscopic procedures.

摘要

laparoscopic apparatus for creating an anatomic working space between tissue layers in the body, said apparatus comprising: an element forming tunnel (20) comprising a rigid rod (22) having open ends next (24) and distal (26) and having a passage (28) extending to therealong between said proximal and distal ends (24, 26), said passage being adapted to receive a laparoscope therein, said distal end lip of retaining (30) therein adapted to prevent the laparoscope from extending beyond said distal end (26), said lip (30) radially inwardly from a portion of the perimeter of said rod (22) about said distal end and partially defining an opening (32) adjacent to the stem axis (22), the opening (32) an oblique edge when seen in a plan view of the stem (22); and a balloon (40) having an inflatable space and being capable of adopting folded form and swollen form, said balloon (40) a sleeve in the proximal portion for receiving said distal end (26) of said forming element tunnel (20) therein, wherein the distal end (26) is truncated perpendicularly (figure 2A) with respect to the axis of the forming tunnel (20) to provide a blunt distal edge (34) of said lip (30) , extending thus the opening (32) in a central area axially recessed (36) of the lip (30), partially surrounded by the distal edge (34) U-shaped, to allow the use of a straight laparoscope for viewing axially the distal end (26) of the shaft (22) through said central area (36).