Patent ID: 8377045
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A medical unit comprising: an elongate structure; a first surgical tool extending through the elongate structure; a suction surface having a plurality of openings; and a plurality of tubes substantially evenly circumferentially spaced within and extending through the elongate structure, the plurality of tubes individually coupled at a distal end to the suction surface and couplable at a proximal end to an interface so that the suction surface is controllably extendable away from and retractable back to a distal end of the elongate structure in a straight-line path by extension and retraction of the plurality of tubes, the plurality of tubes individually having a conduit that is coupled at a distal end to a corresponding one of the plurality of openings of the suction surface and couplable at a proximal end to a vacuum source so that the plurality of openings of the suction surface is provided with a suction force capable of bracing the elongate structure against an anatomic structure within a patient when positioned so as to be in contact with the anatomic structure.