Patent ID: 7892171
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for providing access to a surgical location within a patient, the method comprising: providing an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, an inner surface, a first planar edge, a second planar edge, and a gap extending from the outer surface to the inner surface between the first and second planar edges, said first and second planar edges extending to the distal end of said elongate body, the elongate body being actuatable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, the inner surface creating a path extending through the elongate body from the proximal end to the distal end through which surgical instruments may be inserted; inserting said distal end of said elongate body into the patient such that the distal end resides proximate the surgical location; engaging an expansion tool with the elongate body; rotating the expansion tool while the elongate body is being expanded from its contracted configuration to its expanded configuration; and disengaging the expansion tool from the elongate body.