Methods and apparatus for performing minimally invasive surgery
US7651465B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 26, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/0206
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device for expanding an elongate opening formed in a skin layer of a patient includes a first arm for engaging one side of the opening and a second arm for engaging the other side of the opening. The device further includes a spreader mechanism, coupled to at least one of the first and second arms, to move the at least one of the first and second arms to widen the opening. The at least one arm is configured to move between a retracted position in which the at least one arm is positioned next to the other arm and an extended position in which the at least one arm is extended to expand the opening. Other embodiments of the device as well as methods for performing a medical procedure are further disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.