Patent ID: 6595995
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61L

Abstract:
A laparoscope for use in spinal surgery involving a subject disc space comprising:an outer sleeve having a first end and a second end and a length between said ends sufficiently long to permit said first end to contact the subject disc space while said second end remains outside the skin of the patient, said outer sleeve defining an elongated channel between said ends having a inner diameter slightly larger than a normal human disc space; said outer sleeve leaving a pair of opposite fingers projecting from said first end, said fingers having a length from said first end of said outer sleeve sufficiently long so that said fingers project substantially into the subject disc space when said first end of said outer sleeve is in contact with the disc annulus; and a laparoscopic port sealingly engaged to said outer sleeve at said second end, said laparoscopic port having a bore aligned at one end with said channel of said outer sleeve and having at its other end a number of seals, said port further including a sealing member disposed between said bore and said channel operable to close said channel from said bore when no instrument is extending through said laparoscope and operable to open said channel to said bore when an instrument is extending through said laparoscope.