US Patent 12089871 Depth sensing dilator system

A depth sensing dilator system for dilating a penetration in a tissue plane includes an elongate flexible body, having a proximal end and a distal end. The body has a tapered dilator segment, and at least a first electrode on a distal end of the body. The system includes a processor and a user interface output device. The processor is configured to send a first signal to the output device when a change in impedance at the first electrode indicates that the first electrode has reached a predetermined relationship with the tissue plane.