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Devices and methods for percutaneous tissue retraction and surgery

  • US 7,261,688 B2
  • Filed: 04/05/2002
  • Issued: 08/28/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
  • Status: Expired
First Claim
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1. A refractor for percutaneous surgery in a patient, comprising:

  • a first portion having a proximal end and a distal end;

    a second portion having a proximal end coupled to said proximal end of said first portion, said second portion having a distal end and including opposite edges overlapping adjacent edges of said first portion at least adjacent said distal ends to form a working channel, said working channel having a length between said distal ends and said proximal ends of said first and second portions and a size between said first portion and said second portion along said length, wherein;

    said first and second portions are positionable in an unexpanded configuration with said distal ends of said first and second portions in the patient and said proximal ends of said first and second portions outside the patient; and

    said first and second portions are movable to an expanded configuration wherein said working channel tapers in size from said distal ends in the patient to said proximal ends outside the patient and said opposite edges of said second portion overlap adjacent edges at said distal end of said first portion in said expanded configuration.

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