Patent ID: 8167798
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for expanding an opening formed below a skin layer of a patient, the opening having opposite sides, the device comprising: a first arm attached to a first base having a first opening formed therein, the first arm being configured to engage one side of the opening; a second arm attached to a second base, the second arm being configured to engage the other side of the opening; and a spreader mechanism including a threaded actuator, coupled to the first base of the first arm and the second base of the second arm, to move the first and second arms apart from one another, wherein the first and second arms are configured to move between a retracted position in which the first and second arms are positioned next to one another and an extended position in which the first and second arms are extended to expand the opening, wherein the first opening of the first base is threaded to receive the threaded actuator therein so that the first arm moves with respect to the threaded actuator when rotating the threaded actuator, and wherein the second base is attached to the threaded actuator so that the second arm remains stationary with respect to the threaded actuator when rotating the threaded actuator.