The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 13, 2010
Filed:
Apr. 24, 2003
Kenneth A. Peartree, Los Altos, CA (US);
Thomas J. Palermo, San Jose, CA (US);
Shigeru Tanaka, Half Moon Bay, CA (US);
Ferolyn T. Powell, San Francisco, CA (US);
Kenneth A. Peartree, Los Altos, CA (US);
Thomas J. Palermo, San Jose, CA (US);
Shigeru Tanaka, Half Moon Bay, CA (US);
Ferolyn T. Powell, San Francisco, CA (US);
General Surgical Innovations, Inc., North Haven, CT (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body including an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A blunt tip is secured to the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided. The balloon assembly is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a deflated collapsed balloon. A sheath encloses the balloon and is carried by the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed to release the balloon.