Patent ID: 9050004
Filing Date: 2015-06-09
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of performing surgery in a constrained area within a body comprising the steps of: making an incision in a patient; inserting a medical instrument through the incision, the medical instrument having a tubular body with an internal lumen and a blade extending therethrough, the tubular body surrounded by a housing and having at least one expandable retractor arm connected to a distal end thereof, the retractor arm including a rib extending longitudinally between a distal end to a proximal end of the retractor arm, the medical instrument further comprising positioning the medical instrument adjacent to a surgical target structure; expanding the at least one expandable retractor arm radially outward thereby displacing or protecting a non-target anatomical structure; selectively actuating the actuation device thereby expanding the at least one expandable retractor arm by advancing the sleeve or by advancing the guide wire; extending the blade from a distal end of the tubular body; and cutting a portion of the surgical target structure with the blade.