Patent ID: 7569054
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use in human surgery, comprising: a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end opposite said proximal end, a passage for providing protected access to a surgical site from said proximal end to said distal end, and a mid-longitudinal axis through said proximal and distal ends, said passage having a minimum width transverse to the mid-longitudinal axis; and at least two opposed extensions extending from said distal end of said tubular member, said extensions each having a length and a maximum height perpendicular to the length, the maximum height of each of said extensions being less than the length of each extension and greater than one-half the minimum width of said passage, each of said extensions having an interior surface at least in part facing the mid-longitudinal axis of said tubular member, said interior surfaces of said extensions being spaced apart from one another along the length of each extension a distance no less than the minimum width of said passage, each of said extensions having opposed bone contacting surfaces configured to contact portions of bone.