Method of surgical dissection and/or guidance of other medical devices into body

US11219434B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Mark Thompson · Savage, US
• Darrin Dickerson · Blaine, US
• Brett Bowman · Minneapolis, US
• Christopher F. Kelly · Larkspur, US
• William Malecki · Minneapolis, US
• David E. Francischelli · Anoka, US
• Mark T. Stewart · Lino Lakes, US
• Thomas Daigle · Hanover, US
• Douglas H. Gubbin · Brooklyn Park, US
• David Kim · Maple Grove, US
• Paul Rothstein · Elk River, US
• Adam Podbelski · Windom, US
• Christopher J. Plott · Dexter, US
• Benjamin K. Yaffe · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 9, 2018
• Grant date: Jan 11, 2022
• Expiry date: Apr 10, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/0811
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of surgical dissection of tissue with a dissector comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion comprises a plurality of segments that articulate with respect to one another and the plurality of segments includes a distal segment having a distal end; and a handle attached to the proximal portion of the shaft, wherein the handle comprises controls for articulating the plurality of segments of the distal portion of the shaft with respect to one another, comprising the steps of: positioning the distal end of the dissector in a body; advancing the distal end through the body to dissect tissue; and simultaneously articulating the plurality of segments with respect to one another. A method of surgical dissection of tissue and guiding a second device to a desired physiological location with a first device.