APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DEVELOPING AN ANATOMIC SPACE FOR PERFORMING LAPAROSCOPIC PROCEDURES WITH LAPAROSCOPIC VISUALIZATION

摘要

Balloon dissector (900) and associated methods for creating an anatomic spacebetween tissue layers in a body of a patient. Adeflated balloon (926) is formed into a generally cylindrical roll and mountedon a tunneling member (915). An integral balloon cover(908) is provided for retaining the balloon (926) in the roll during insertionof the balloon and tunneling member (915) into the body andduring subsequent tunneling dissection. An endoscope guide (880) is alsoprovided that may be used in place of or in addition to theintegral balloon cover (908). A laparoscope (909) can be introduced into abore in the tunneling member (915) to permit observation of theprocedure. After the balloon (926) has been advanced to the desired locationin the body it is inflated through a balloon inflation lumen(919) to cause the balloon (926) to break free of the integral balloon cover(908) and/or endoscope guide (880) and progressively expandto create the anatomic space.