Patent ID: 6447523
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: A61B,A61F,B25B,B26B

Abstract:
A method of manipulating matter in a space in a mammalian body, the method comprising the steps of:a) selecting a device comprising: (i) a single support member comprised of a pseudoelastic material which displays pseudoelastic behavior at about the mammalian body temperature; (ii) a barrier membrane spanning at least a portion of the support member; (iii) a housing including an elongated bore sized to restrain the support member in a pseudoelastically expandable shape within the bore; and (iv) an actuator selectively movable within the bore of the housing to extend the support member and barrier membrane from the bore of the housing and to withdraw the support member into the bore; b) positioning the device within the space with the support member and the barrier membrane disposed in the bore of the housing; c) moving the actuator to extend the support member and the barrier membrane from the bore of the housing such that the support member pseudoelastically expands; d) positioning the support member and the barrier member within the space to manipulate matter in the space; and e) moving the actuator to retract the support member into the bore of the housing.