Endoscopic soft tissue working space creation

Abstract

A device for creating endoscopic operating space includes an external cannula, an internal cannula disposed in the external cannula, and an expandable retractor disposed at a distal end of the device and cooperable with the external cannula and the internal cannula. The expandable retractor is displaceable between an unexpanded position and an expanded position. An actuator is cooperable with the expandable retractor to displace the expandable retractor between the unexpanded position and the expanded position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for creating endoscopic operating space, the device comprising:
 an external cannula;   an internal cannula disposed in the external cannula;   an expandable retractor disposed at a distal end of the device and cooperable with the external cannula and the internal cannula, the expandable retractor being displaceable between an unexpanded position and an expanded position;   an actuator cooperable with the expandable retractor, the actuator displacing the expandable retractor between the unexpanded position and the expanded position, wherein the internal cannula is displaceable longitudinally relative to the external cannula, and wherein the actuator displaces the internal cannula relative to the external cannula to thereby displace the expandable retractor between the unexpanded position and the expanded position; and   wherein the expandable retractor comprises a plurality of extensions secured to a distal end of the internal cannula, a cap secured over a distal end of the external cannula and having through holes through which the plurality of extensions are movable, and a membrane positioned over the cap, wherein in the unexpanded position, distal ends of the extensions are positioned flush with or adjacent the cap and the membrane is collapsed, and wherein in the expanded position, the internal cannula is longitudinally displaced relative to the external cannula, the extensions are positioned through the through holes, and the membrane is expanded and covering the extensions.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable retractor comprises a first part-cone member secured to a distal end of the external cannula and a second part-cone member secured to a distal end of the internal cannula, the first and second cone members being secured to each other at distal ends thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein at least the second cone member comprises reinforcing ribs. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the retractor is formed of a synthetic fabric or a metal alloy or another biologically compatible material. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises threads at a proximal end of the internal cannula and a mechanical expander engaging the threads, wherein rotation of the mechanical expander effects longitudinal displacement of the internal cannula relative to the external cannula. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the expandable retractor comprises an extension of the external cannula, wherein a proximal end of the extension includes an inside diameter that is narrower than an outside diameter of the internal cannula, and wherein the internal cannula is longitudinally displaced relative to the external cannula, and the internal cannula engages the proximal end of the extension to displace the expandable retractor to the expanded position. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the external cannula and the internal cannula are formed in one piece with a channel therebetween, and wherein the expandable retractor comprises a balloon attached to a distal end of the external and internal cannula. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the actuator comprises a source of fluid in fluid communication with the balloon via the channel. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein a wall of the balloon has a varied thickness such that when the balloon is inflated to the expanded position, a distal surface of the balloon expands less than a proximal wall of the balloon.