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. 04, 1999
Filed:
May. 01, 1998
Edmund R Corey Jr, Schwenksville, PA (US);
John A Fanticola, Jr, North Wales, PA (US);
William H Pilling, North Wales, PA (US);
Gerald A Powell, Havertown, PA (US);
David E Weston, Rockford, MI (US);
Robert W Wilson, Dresher, PA (US);
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Pilling Weck Incorporated, Ft. Washington, PA (US);
Abstract
An articulating supporting bracket for a surgical tissue stabilizer comprises a series of elements joined to one another by articulating ball-and-socket joints. A flexible cable extends through passages in the elements, and, when tightened, causes the balls and sockets to lock together frictionally. The ball of each joint fits into its socket by an interference fit, whereby the ball and socket of each joint engage one another over an area of contact when the cable is tightened, thereby providing a strong, rigid support for the tissue stabilizer.