Vessel isolating retractor cannula and method
US5993384A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 25, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/00008
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axis at an angle to the axis of the cannula. The dissection cradle is located at the distal end of the second portion of the retractor, and may include two substantially parallel, spaced legs with the retractor shaped in a loop between and in a plane skewed relative to the axis of the legs, and with the loop directed away from the surgical tool. Thus, in operation, when the surgeon locates a vein and side branch of interest, the surgeon extends the retractor to cradle the vein in the dissection cradle. Once cradled, the retractor may be fully extended to urge the vein away from the axis of the cannula isolate the side branch for exposure to the surgical tool. In another embodiment, the cannula includes a sheath which encases the curved, resilient retractor at a first position to retain the retractor in substantially straight orientation, and which encases the retractor at a second position that allows …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.