Patent ID: 8795167
Filing Date: 2014-08-05
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An assembly for enlarging a gap in tissue, the assembly comprising: a channel retractor having a lumen from an opening at a proximal end to an opening at a distal end, the channel retractor having an inner perimeter; a first extended retractor with: a proximal portion that extends out of the proximal end of the channel retractor; a distal portion that extends out of the distal end of the channel retractor into an opening in tissue; and an intermediate portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion; a second extended retractor with: a proximal portion that extends out of the proximal end of the channel retractor; a distal portion that extends out of the distal end of the channel retractor into an opening in tissue; and an intermediate portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion; an inner sleeve with: a proximal end; and a distal end; and the inner sleeve is sized such that when the first extended retractor and the second extended retractor have at least parts of their distal portions inserted into an opening in tissue, inserting the distal end of the inner sleeve through a portion of the channel retractor causes the distal portions of the first extended retractor and the second extended retractor to remain separated from a longitudinal centerline of the channel retractor such that the distal ends of the first extended retractor and the second extended retractor are pushed radially beyond the inner perimeter of the channel retractor, the first extended retractor and the second extended retractor may be used to maintain an opening in tissue distal to the distal end of the channel retractor.