GB1205743A - Surgical dilator - Google Patents

Abstract

1,205,743. Surgical dilators. NATIONAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CORP. 11 Oct., 1967 [15 July, 1966], No. 32023/66. Heading A5R. A surgical dilator 1 comprises a hollow tubular member whose wall comprises or includes a tube of lattice form, the elements making up the lattice defining diamond shapes (an included acute angle of 45‹-60‹) in the unstressed condition, the dilator being such that when subjected to an axial tensile force, the wall will contract diametrically and extend axially and will return sustantially to its normal shape when the force is removed. As shown, the dilator A, of tubular form and widening toward each end 1a, is provided with two loops 4 whereby it may be fitted to forceps 5 having axially separable hook parts 6, stretched longitudinally using the forceps, entered into the body (e.g. the oesophagus), and released from the forceps so that it expands diametrically in the body to provide dilation. The dilator comprises a tubular core embedded in a continuous resilient rubber material, the core comprising (Figure 1, not shown) filaments of stainless steel wire, plastics, or glass fibre material woven or plaited together, or (Figure 2, not shown) wires crimped together. The core may also comprise (Figure 3, not shown) slat members hinged together and tensioned by springs. The surgical dilator may also be inserted into the body while enclosed in a constricting cylinder which is then withdrawn or, alternatively, it may be inserted using an oesophagoscope (Figure 6, not shown) having a removable obturator (13) and an extendable portion (15) operated by a control (11). The dilator may be provided with spikes (16, Figure 4, not shown) such that it is suitable for use in suturing hollow organs or blood vessels.