Apparatus for temporarily engaging body tissue
US7311664B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/306
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved tissue engagement device such as a suction stabilizer or retractor. The stabilizer or retractor is provided with one or more suction pods mounted to the distal end of a flexible arm. The flexible arm is coupled to a base assembly, which attaches the arm to an associated retractor or other structure that is fixedly located relative to the operative site. The base assembly includes a fixed portion, which is coupled to the retractor or other fixed mounting point and a rotatable turret, allowing rotation of the arm relative to the fixed portion of the base assembly. A tensioning mechanism mounted to the turret applies tension to compress the turret around a corresponding pivot mounted to the fixed portion of the base to rotationally lock the turret and to lock the arm in its current configuration. If the device is a suction stabilizer, it may carry a spreading/tightening mechanism along with two suction pods and the tensioning mechanism may lock the relative location of the spreading/tightening mechanism relative to the arm and operate to spread the suction pods apart from one another to provide for additional stabilization at the desired anastomosis site. If the device is …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.