Patent ID: 7988623

Claim:
System for shielding a body structure during surgical procedures comprising: a) an expandable conduit comprising a wall portion defining an internal passage therethrough and a first configuration having a first cross-sectional area at a distal portion thereof for percutaneous insertion into said body tissue, said wall portion movable to define a second configuration having an enlarged cross-sectional area at said distal portion thereof: and b) a shield apparatus configured for insertion into said internal passage of said expandable conduit, comprising i) an elongated body portion comprising an atraumatic distal tip portion configured to at least partially cover said body structure without substantially displacing said body structure; ii) a mounting portion at a proximal end portion thereof for mounting said shield apparatus to said internal passage of said wall portion; and iii) a member connected to said mounting portion to release said mounting portion with respect to said internal passage of said wall portion.