Patent ID: 6464629
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A system for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising:an articulating arm comprising a plurality of links, the arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the articulating arm having an articulating condition in which the links are free to move relative to one another so that the arm articulates, and a locked condition in which the links are locked relative to one another so that the arm is rigid; a paddle assembly connected to the distal end of the articulating arm and including first and second paddles each having means for engaging tissue, the first and second paddles being movable from an initial position and a spread position farther apart than the initial position for tensioning tissue between the first and second paddles; and spreading means, operable in a single operation, for changing the articulating arm from the articulating condition to the locked condition and moving of the first and second paddles from the initial position to the spread position so that the articulating arm is rigid when the first and second paddles are spread apart.