Patent ID: 7189244

Claim:
A compressor tool for use in minimally invasive surgery, comprising: first and second elongate elements, each elongate element having a pivot region, a handle portion proximal to the pivot region, and a working portion distal to the pivot region, each elongate element being connected to the other at a pivot point within the pivot region of each element for rotating articulation in an articulation plane with respect to each other so that pressure applied to the first and second elongate element handle portions toward each other results in a compressive force being applied by the compressor tool at respective distal ends of the first and second elongate element working portions; wherein the compressor tool defines a tool longitudinal axis and, for the first elongate element, the working portion is offset from the pivot region in a direction that is transverse to the tool longitudinal axis and opposed to an articulation direction of the second elongate element end the working portion extends distally from the pivot region at an angle such that when the pivot region is aligned with the tool longitudinal axis, the working portion extends distally in a direction away from the tool longitudinal axis and opposed to the articulation direction of the second elongate element and wherein the compressor tool is configured to have a first closed position for insertion of the compressor tool through an incision or portal wherein the first and second elongate element working portions are proximate to the tool longitudinal axis, and a second working position wherein the first and second working portions are spaced apart, and wherein articulation of the tool between the first and second positions results in no increase in dimension of the tool in a tool pivot region including the pivot point.