Surgical tool for use in expanding a cannula
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical tool assembly comprising:
- an expandable tubular structure having an inner surface defining a path through the tubular structure for receiving surgical instruments;
a surgical tool structured to expand the tubular structure, the surgical tool including an elongate body and a first leg having a first end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure and a second leg having a second end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure, said first and second ends being moveable away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface of the tubular structure and cause expansion of the tubular structure to increase a cross-sectional area of the path along a portion of the path; and
an actuator configured to move axially with the elongate body of the surgical tool to move said first and second legs away from each other.
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Abstract
A surgical tool for use in expanding a tubular structure having an inner surface defining a passage through the tubular structure for receiving surgical instruments includes a first leg having a first end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure. A second leg has a second end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure. The first and second ends are movable away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface of the tubular structure and cause expansion of the tubular structure to increase a cross-sectional area of the passage along a portion of the passage.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A surgical tool assembly comprising:
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an expandable tubular structure having an inner surface defining a path through the tubular structure for receiving surgical instruments; a surgical tool structured to expand the tubular structure, the surgical tool including an elongate body and a first leg having a first end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure and a second leg having a second end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure, said first and second ends being moveable away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface of the tubular structure and cause expansion of the tubular structure to increase a cross-sectional area of the path along a portion of the path; and an actuator configured to move axially with the elongate body of the surgical tool to move said first and second legs away from each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A surgical tool assembly comprising:
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an expandable tubular structure having an inner surface defining a path through the tubular structure for receiving surgical instruments; an elongate member structured to expand the tubular structure, the elongate member having a first end and a second end and an intermediate member disposed between the first and second ends; first and second handles connected to the first end of the elongate member, the handles configured to move radially toward and away from each other; first and second legs connected to the second end of the elongate member, the first and second legs engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure, the first and second legs being moveable away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface of the tubular structure; and an actuator configured to move longitudinally to move said first and second legs away from each other. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A surgical tool assembly comprising:
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an expandable tubular structure having an inner surface defining a path through the tubular structure; a surgical tool structured to expand the tubular structure, the surgical tool including a shaft having first and second ends; a handle pivotally connected to the first end of the shaft, the handle configured to move between a first, expanded, configuration and a second, contracted configuration; and first and second jaws pivotally connected to the second end of the shaft, the first and second jaws configured to move between a first, contracted configuration and a second, expanded configuration, the first and second jaws engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure; wherein contracting the handle causes expansion of the first and second jaws. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification