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:
Jul. 28, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 31, 1996
Christine M Tompkins, Fairfield, CT (US);
Peter W Hinchliffe, New Haven, CT (US);
Scott W Larsen, Newtown, CT (US);
Christopher McDonnell, Newtown, CT (US);
United States Surgical Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for use during endoscopic discectomy procedures includes an elongated portion defining a generally longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, a retractor mechanism disposed at the distal end of the elongated portion and having at least two retractor members for engaging and spreading tissue, an articulating mechanism operatively connected to the retractor mechanism for selectively articulating the two retractor members and an actuator mechanism operatively connected to the retractor mechanism for causing relative movement between the two retractor members. The retractor mechanism is preferably releasably mounted to the distal end of the elongated portion and is released by a release mechanism. The apparatus further includes a tissue penetrating member associated with the retractor mechanism and mounted for movement to facilitate mounting of the retractor mechanism to tissue. The tissue penetrating member is mounted to the distal end of the elongated portion and is movable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. A deployment mechanism for moving the tissue penetrating member to the deployed position is provided. A method for facilitating the retracting of tissue during a surgical procedure is also disclosed.