Apparatus and method for dissecting and retracting elongate structures

摘要

A dissector/retractor device comprising a balloon having a deflated state and an inflated state is described for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures by creating a tunnel alongside a target tissue in the body. The balloon in its inflated state forms an open space extending transversely through the balloon. The balloon is carried by an insertion assembly. The balloon may be an elongate torus shape with an elongate open area in its interior. The insertion assembly includes a blunt dissection device and a handle. In use, the dissector retractor is inserted through a small incision and bluntly tunneled through body tissue to a desired location. The balloon is inflated to create a space in the body tissue and may also dissect tissue as necessary away from the tissue to be treated. The balloon is left in place inflated to retract the space. Another incision may be made to provide more direct access to the target tissue than the original incision. The target tissue may then be diagnosed and/or treated through the direct access incision, through the overlying tissue and through the open space in the balloon.