Tissue retractor apparatus and methods
US9782157B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/3456
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A delicate tissue retraction system having a hollow tubular retractor, a hollow tubular introducer that is removably installed within the retractor, and a navigation module that is removably installed within the introducer. The introducer has an inner passage defined by a passage wall having a width dimension that increases in size from a distal introducer end to a proximal introducer end. The navigation module has a shaft with a proximal shaft end, a middle shaft portion, and a distal shaft end, and a navigation unit mounted to the proximal shaft end. When assembled, the distal shaft end is contained generally within the introducer and the navigation module outside the introducer, and the middle shaft portion is spaced from the passage wall. The navigation module indicates the location of one or more points on at least one of the retractor and the introducer to a navigation system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.