Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for performing surgery in the body using a percutaneous dilatational procedure, one embodiment of which is a percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) device having a dilator with a non-uniform surface profile that is optimized to the relevant anatomy in order to reduce, uniformly distribute, and ensure uniform, or constant temporal derivative of, dilatational force throughout dilation. This serves to reduce trauma to the patient, specifically producing a reduction of anterior tracheal wall compression, posterior wall laceration/perforation, and tracheal ring fracture that may subsequently lead to subglottic suprastomal stenosis.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing emergency and non-emergency tracheotomies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device for performing an emergency tracheostomy includes a dilator having a generally curved outer surface which is arranged for insertion into a trachea of a patient. The dilator includes an open linear passageway therein. Situated within the internal passageway is an anchor that includes a distal tip portion protruding outside the dilator. The anchor is normally biased to a retracted position and is arranged to move from the retracted position to an extended position in response to a distal force. A driver is provided for applying the distal force to the anchor to drive the distal tip portion through an opening in the patient's neck and trachea. A method for using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing emergency and non-emergency tracheotomies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device for performing an emergency tracheostomy includes a dilator having a generally curved outer surface which is arranged for insertion into a trachea of a patient. The dilator includes an open linear passageway therein. Situated within the internal passageway is an anchor that includes a distal tip portion protruding outside the dilator. The anchor is normally biased to a retracted position and is arranged to move from the retracted position to an extended position in response to a distal force. A driver is provided for applying the distal force to the anchor to drive the distal tip portion through an opening in the patient's neck and trachea. A method for using the device is also disclosed.