Expandable surgical instruments and methods of use and fabrication

摘要

A system for assessing an intervertebral disc space comprises an elongated catheter with proximal and distal ends and an expandable body attached to the distal end of the elongated catheter. The expandable body includes proximal and distal end portions. The system further comprises a securing mechanism encircling at least one of the proximal or distal end portions of the expandable body to tighten the expandable body against the elongated catheter.

主权项

1. A system for assessing an intervertebral disc space comprising:
an elongated catheter with proximal and distal ends; an expandable body attached to the distal end of the elongated catheter, the expandable body including proximal and distal end portions; a first securing mechanism encircling the proximal end portion of the expandable body and a second securing mechanism encircling the distal end portion of the expandable body such that the first and second securing mechanisms each having a first length along the elongated catheter when the expandable body is in an inflated state, the first and second securing mechanisms each being configured to adhere the expandable body to the elongated catheter to prevent slipping of the expandable body along the catheter; and a bonding material disposed at a base portion of each of the first and second securing mechanisms to prevent the first and second securing mechanisms from slipping along the elongated catheter, the first and second securing mechanisms being permanently attached to the expandable body such that the first and second securing mechanisms each deform to have an increased second length along the elongated catheter when the expandable body is in an inflated state.