Device and method for determining parameters of blind voids

Abstract

Device for determining the size of a blind void comprises an elongated rigid rod, an actuator slidably movable relative to the rod, the actuator having a distal end for insertion into the void, a distal flexible element fixed at one end thereof to the rod, a second flexible element fixed at one end thereof to the rod and proximally removed from the distal flexible element. Movement of the actuator is operative to cause equal movements of the distal end portions of the distal and proximal elements, to cause the distal element to bulge outwardly from the rod to engage interior walls of the void and to cause the proximal element to bulge outwardly in a configuration duplicative of the distal element bulge, the proximal element being outside of the void and subject to observation.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a first element insertable within a blind void and transitionable to a first configuration corresponding to a parameter of the blind void; and    a second element coupled to said first element, said second element assuming a second configuration in response to said first configuration of said first element.    
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of said first and second elements are at least partially formed of a flexible material.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein said second element is at least partially formed of a flexible material, and wherein said configuration of said second element is defined by an outward deformation of said flexible material.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein said first element is at least partially formed of a flexible material, and wherein said expandability of said first element includes outward deformation of said flexible material.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of said first and second elements comprises a pair of said flexible strips of material arranged generally opposite one another.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein said first element is adapted to engage an interior wall surrounding the blind void.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein said first element is adapted to approach an interior wall surrounding the blind void.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein said first element has an initial configuration adapted for insertion into the blind void in a minimally invasive manner.  
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein said second configuration of said second element is substantially identical to said first configuration of said first element.  
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein said second configuration of said second element is subject to direct visualization.  
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein said second configuration of said second element is subject to at least one of electronic and mechanical measurement.  
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 23 , further comprising an actuator coupled to said first element, wherein actuation of said actuator expands said firs element to at least approximate said parameter.  
     
     
         35 . A method, comprising: 
 providing an apparatus including a first element adapted for insertion within a blind void and a second element;    inserting the first element into the blind void in a first configuration;    transitioning the first element to a second configuration; and    transitioning the second element to a third configuration relating to the second configuration of the first element.    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first and second elements is formed of a flexible material; and 
 wherein the transitioning of at least one of said elements having flexible material comprises flexibly deforming the flexible portion.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising inserting the first element into the blind void in a minimally invasive manner while in the first configuration.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 transitioning the first element back toward the first configuration; and    removing the first element from the blind void.    
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the transitioning of the first element to the first configuration comprises engaging the first element against an interior wall of the blind void.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the transitioning of the first element to the first configuration comprises expanding the first element to approach an interior wall of the blind void.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the third configuration of the second element is substantially identical to the second configuration of the first element.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising observing the second configuration of the second element to at least approximate at least one parameter of the blind void.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising: 
 selecting an artificial implant having a parameter substantially corresponding to the parameter of the blind void; and    inserting the artificial implant into the blind void.    
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the observing comprises at least one of direct visual observation and electronic observation.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said apparatus further comprises an actuator element coupled to at least said first element; and 
 further comprising actuating said actuator element to transition said first elements to the second configuration.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said actuator element is coupled to said second element, and wherein said actuating transitions said second element to the third configuration.  
     
     
         47 . An apparatus for measuring a blind void comprising: 
 a first flexible member adapted for insertion into a blind void;    a second flexible member responsive to said first flexible member so that a change in configuration of said first flexible member results in a change to said second flexible member; and    an actuator for changing the configuration of said first flexible member.    
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein at least one of said first and second elements are at least partially formed of a flexible material.  
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein said second element is at least partially formed of a flexible material, and wherein said configuration of said second element is defined by an outward deformation of said flexible material.  
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein said first element is at least partially formed of a flexible material, and wherein said expandability of said first element includes outward deformation of said flexible material.  
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein at least one of said first and second elements comprises a pair of said flexible strips of material arranged generally opposite one another.  
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein said first element is adapted to engage an interior wall surrounding the blind void.  
     
     
         53 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein said first element is adapted to approach an interior wall surrounding the blind void.  
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein said first element has an initial configuration adapted for insertion into the blind void in a minimally invasive manner.  
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein said second configuration of said second element is substantially identical to said first configuration of said first element.  
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein said second configuration of said second element is subject to direct visualization.  
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein said second configuration of said second element is subject to at least one of electronic and mechanical measurement.  
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 47 , further comprising an actuator coupled to said first element, wherein actuation of said actuator expands said firs element to at least approximate said parameter.