Patent US6758809B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6758809B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical tool for engagement of body tissue
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 2002-06-06
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Granted: 2004-07-06
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Expires: 2022-06-06
Abstract
Abstract An improved stabilizer or retractor or other surgical tool having an elongated distal arm carrying a tissue-contacting mechanism at its distal end and a tensioning mechanism at its proximal end for locking functional components of the tool in a desired position or configuration. The tensioning mechanism is mounted to a turret or other structure attaching the distal arm to a base by means of a shorter, proximally extending flexible arm. The flexible proximal arm allows the tensioning mechanism to be moved relative to the base so that it can be placed more conveniently in the operative field.
Inventors
- 👤 Roderick E. Briscoe
- 👤 David J. S. Kim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2017/00305; A61B2017/00314; A61B2017/0237; A61B2017/0243; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2904; A61B2017/2905; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306; A61B2017/308; A61B90/00; A61B90/50; A61B90/57; A61B2090/571
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A surgical tool comprising: a base; a distal arm extending distally from the base and carrying a tissue engaging mechanism; a tension member extending through the distal arm; a flexible proximal arm, extending proximally from the base and carrying a tensioning mechanism at its proximal end, coupled to apply tension to the tension member, the tension member also extending through the proximal arm, whereby the proximal arm may be flexed to permit the tensioning mechanism to be moved relative to the base when tension is not applied to the tension member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A surgical tool comprising: a base; a distal arm extending distally from the base and carrying a tissue engaging mechanism; a tension member extending through the distal arm; a flexible proximal arm, extending proximally from the base and carrying a tensioning mechanism at its proximal end, coupled to apply tension to the tension member, the tension member also extending through the proximal arm, whereby the proximal arm may be flexed to permit the tensioning mechanism to be moved relative to the base when tension is not applied to the tension member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tool as in claim 1 , wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to lock the proximal arm in a desired configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tool as in claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the distal arm is a flexible arm and wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to lock the distal arm in a desired configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tool as in claim 1 wherein the distal arm is mounted to a turret, rotatable relative to the base and wherein the proximal arm extends proximally from the turret.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tool as in claim 4 , wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to lock the proximal arm in a desired configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tool as in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to lock the turret in a desired orientation relative to the base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tool as in claim 1 wherein the tissue contacting mechanism is pivotable relative to the arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tool as in claim 7 , wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to lock the proximal arm in a desired configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tool as in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to lock the tissue contacting mechanism in a desired orientation relative to the base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tool as in claim 1 wherein the tissue contacting mechanism comprises two tissue contact pods extending from a spreading mechanism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tool as in claim 10 , wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to lock the proximal arm in a desired configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A tool as in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the spreading mechanism is coupled to the tension member and wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to spread the tissue contact pods apart from one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
113 words
A surgical tool comprising: a base; a turret rotatable relative to the base; a distal arm mounted to the turret and extending distally from the base and carrying a tissue engaging mechanism; a tension member extending through the distal arm; a flexible proximal arm comprised of at least one articulating element, the proximal arm extending proximally from the turret and carrying a tensioning mechanism at its proximal end, coupled to apply tension to the tension member, the tension member also extending through the proximal arm, whereby the proximal arm may be flexed to permit the tensioning mechanism to be moved relative to the base when tension is not applied to the tension member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
A surgical tool comprising: a base; a turret rotatable relative to the base; a distal arm mounted to the turret and extending distally from the base and carrying a tissue engaging mechanism; a tension member extending through the distal arm; a flexible proximal arm comprised of at least one articulating element, the proximal arm extending proximally from the turret and carrying a tensioning mechanism at its proximal end, coupled to apply tension to the tension member, the tension member also extending through the proximal arm, whereby the proximal arm may be flexed to permit the tensioning mechanism to be moved relative to the base when tension is not applied to the tension member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tool as in claim 13 , wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to lock the proximal arm in a desired configuration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tool as in claim 14 , wherein the distal arm is a flexible arm and wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to lock the distal arm in a desired configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tool as in claim 13 wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to lock the turret in a desired orientation relative to the base.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tool as in claim 13 wherein the tissue contacting mechanism comprise two tissue contact pods extending from a spreading mechanism.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tool as in claim 17 , wherein the spreading mechanism is coupled to the tension member and wherein application of tension to the tension member operates to spread the tissue contact pods apart from one another.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-07-06 | 2008-01-05 | 2008-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-07-06 | 2012-01-05 | 2012-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-07-06 | 2016-01-05 | 2016-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |