Patent ID: 9265491
Filing Date: 2016-02-23
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A method for performing a medical or surgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of: positioning an access tube at least partially within the body of a patient, wherein the access tube defines a depth; adjusting a cross-sectional area of the access tube; positioning a retractor device at least partially within an interior volume defined by the access tube, wherein the retractor device comprises a first portion and a second portion extending at an angle with respect to the first portion, and wherein the retractor device is positioned within the access tube such that the first portion of the retractor device is positioned at least substantially concentrically within the access tube, such that the access tube depth extends along at least substantially an entire length of the first portion of the retractor device, and such that the second portion is positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the first portion of the retractor device; and securing the retractor device to the access tube in a fixed position.