Balloon dissecting instruments

The invention is balloon loaded dissection devices (15) with elongate balloons (16), and a pushing member (29) disclosed for creating a tunnel alongside an elongate vessel in the body. The devices (15) may utilize an elongate balloon (16) of any suitable length which may be formed of an elastic or nonelastic material. The balloon (16) may be of double walled construction, and may be provided with a central lumen (17) which may receive a guide rod (20), scope, or other surgical instrument. The device (15) may have a support tube (22) secured to the inner wall of the balloon (16) to provide columnar support for the apparatus. The support tube (22) receives the guide rod (20), scope or other surgical instrument, and may have a stop member to translate pushing force applied to the guide rod (20) or scope to pushing force on the apparatus. By using the guide rod (20) or scope as a pushing member (29) the apparatus may be advanced alongside the vessel it is desired to dissect free from attached tissue. A balloon cover which may be elastic or resilient is provided to surround the balloon (16) and facilitate compression of the balloon (16) after it is deflated.