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:
Jun. 08, 2010
Filed:
Dec. 05, 2003
Kevin Smith, Coral Gables, FL (US);
Matthew Palmer, Miami, FL (US);
Juergen Kortenbach, Miami Springs, FL (US);
Jose Francese, Miami Springs, FL (US);
Kevin Smith, Coral Gables, FL (US);
Matthew Palmer, Miami, FL (US);
Juergen Kortenbach, Miami Springs, FL (US);
Jose Francese, Miami Springs, FL (US);
ID, LLC, Miami, FL (US);
Abstract
A tissue retractor includes a body having proximal and distal ends. The retractor also includes a retraction device having a head connected to the distal end of the body and defining two opposing openings, a connector movably disposed in the body, and two flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape. The needles are fixedly connected to the connector for traveling through a respective one of the openings. The memory shape of the needles includes a portion with an arcuate shape. A one-handed actuation device is connected to the proximal end of the body and is operatively connected to the connector through the body. Upon actuation of the actuation device, the connector can be moved to selectively extend the needles out of the head and withdraw the needles into the head. Methods for using the tissue retractor, in particular for the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, are also provided.