Slitting tool

US7338481B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Kenneth C. Gardeski · Plymouth, US
• Jeff Jannicke · Andover, US
• Stanten C. Spear · Arden Hills, US
• David A. Schuelke · Stillwater, US
• Debbie L. Kirihara · St. Louis Park, US
• Elizabeth A. Ellingson · Eden Prairie, US
• Jeremy J. Odegard · River Falls, US
• Richard P. Manahan · Lake Elmo, US
• Andrzej M. Malewicz · Minneapolis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 14, 2003
• Grant date: Mar 4, 2008
• Expiry date: Nov 7, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2025/0675
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A slitting tool for severing a tubular body includes a body portion, extending along a first axis, joined to a nose portion extending along a second axis, the second axis extending at an angle between approximately 5 degrees and approximately 90 degrees with respect to the first axis. The nose portion includes means for severing the tubular body while the body portion includes means for gripping by a hand of a user such that a wrist of the hand is in a neutral position when the means for severing is directed toward the tubular body.