Percutaneous surgical retractor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A percutaneous surgical retractor comprising:
- an outer sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having an open beveled configuration defining a leading edge forming an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve to facilitate percutaneous insertion of the retractor;
a blade slidable within said outer sleeve between at least a deployed position extending beyond the distal end of the outer sleeve and a retracted position disposed within the outer sleeve, the blade having a memory curved distal end which, in the retracted position, assumes an orientation which approximates the angle of the leading edge of the open beveled end of the outer sleeve such that the distal end of said blade substantially closes said open beveled distal end of the outer sleeve when said blade is in said retracted position to inhibit coring of tissue by said outer sleeve during percutaneous insertion of said retractor; and
means for deploying said blade relative to said outer sleeve.
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Abstract
A percutaneous surgical retractor is provided for performing examinations or surgical procedures through the skin. The retractor has an outer sleeve structure with a proximal and an open beveled distal end. A blade is slidable within the outer sleeve and moveable between at least a deployed position and a retracted position. The retracting blade substantially closes the open beveled distal end of the outer sleeve when the blade is in the retracted position to inhibit the coring of tissue by the outer sleeve during percutaneous insertion. The retractor has structure for deploying the retracting blade relative to the outer sleeve.
358 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A percutaneous surgical retractor comprising:
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an outer sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having an open beveled configuration defining a leading edge forming an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve to facilitate percutaneous insertion of the retractor; a blade slidable within said outer sleeve between at least a deployed position extending beyond the distal end of the outer sleeve and a retracted position disposed within the outer sleeve, the blade having a memory curved distal end which, in the retracted position, assumes an orientation which approximates the angle of the leading edge of the open beveled end of the outer sleeve such that the distal end of said blade substantially closes said open beveled distal end of the outer sleeve when said blade is in said retracted position to inhibit coring of tissue by said outer sleeve during percutaneous insertion of said retractor; and means for deploying said blade relative to said outer sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of performing percutaneous retraction, comprising the steps of:
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providing an outer sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having an open beveled configuration defining a leading edge forming an angle with the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve to facilitate percutaneous insertion of the retractor; providing a blade slidable relative to said outer sleeve between at least a deployed position extending beyond the distal end of the outer sleeve and a retracted position disposed within the outer sleeve, the blade having a memory curved distal end which, in the retracted position, assumes an orientation which approximates the angle of the leading edge of the open beveled end of the outer sleeve such that said blade substantially closes said open beveled distal end of the outer sleeve when said blade is in said retracted position; inserting said outer sleeve percutaneously while inhibiting coring of tissue with said distal end of said blade in said retracted position substantially closing said open beveled distal end of said outer sleeve; and deploying said blade relative to said outer sleeve to perform surgical retracting tasks. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification