Patent ID: 8409083
Filing Date: 2013-04-02
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of providing access into brain tissue, the method comprising: making a transcutaneous incision adjacent a physical region containing brain tissue; providing a surgical assembly comprising: a retractor having a first hollow sleeve extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal retractor end to a distal retractor end, and an introducer having a second hollow sleeve with a transparent wall forming an oval lumen, the second hollow sleeve installed within the first hollow sleeve and terminating a distal introducer end located beyond the distal retractor end; advancing the surgical assembly into the physical region containing brain tissue; gently displacing the brain tissue with the distal introducer end as the surgical assembly is advanced to thereby avoid damage to the brain tissue; visually examining the surgical site through the transparent wall of the second hollow sleeve with binocular vision; removing the introducer from the retractor to thereby leave the distal retractor end at a surgical site located in the physical region containing brain tissue; and accessing at least one surgical instrument through the first hollow sleeve to the surgical site.