The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 20, 1997
Filed:
Jan. 20, 1995
George D Hermann, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Kenneth H Mollenauer, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Michelle Y Monfort, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Timothy J Ryan, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Shigeru Tanaka, Palo Alto, CA (US);
General Surgical Innovations, Inc, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A laparoscopic tissue removal device for use by fingers of a hand comprising an elongate tubular member with proximal and distal extremities and having a bore extending therethrough. An elongate tubular member has an outer diameter and an elongate tubular sheath is formed of a tubular woven braid material having proximal and distal extremities. A length extends between the proximal distal extremities. The elongate tubular sheath has a passage extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. The tubular woven braid material of the elongate tubular sheath has an initial configuration and an open weave construction permitting the elongate tubular sheath to enlarge beyond its initial diameter to a diameter substantially greater than the initial diameter. The proximal extremity of the elongate tubular sheath is secured to the elongate tubular member. The distal extremity of the elongate tubular sheath has a distal portion capable of assuming an outwardly flared configuration which when free has an open end that has a diameter substantially greater than the initial diameter of the passage extending through the elongate sheath. An outer sleeve is slidably mounted on the elongate tubular member and is movable into a position so that it extends over the elongate tubular sheath. The initial diameter of the elongate tubular sheath is determined with respect to the outer sleeve when the elongate tubular member is free of the outer sleeve. The tubular woven braid construction of the elongate tubular sheath permits the elongate tubular sheath to receive and retain therein tissue having a diameter greater than the diameter of the bore whereby when the elongate tubular sheath is drawn into the outer sleeve, the tissue is reduced in diameter so that the tissue can be withdrawn into the outer sleeve.