US5353784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic device and method of use
Assignee: Research Foundation of the State University of New York
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Filing: 1993-04-02
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Granted: 1994-10-11
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Expires: 2013-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A device useful in endoscopic and other surgical procedures is disclosed. Two arms supporting a membrane therebetween are extendible from within a tube to an operative shape in which the arms diverge and spread the membrane between them. The device may be used for retraction or shielding, and is further provided with means for facilitating aspiration or irrigation. Related methods are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Nady E. Nady-Mohamed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005; A61B2217/007; A61M; A61M3/00; A61M3/02; A61M3/0279
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A device for engaging the lumen of a patient's uterus, comprising: a tube, having a single longitudinal bore, for insertion through a patient's cervix into the uterus; arm means for engaging the uterus, said arm means including two opposing, flexible arms slidably disposed within the distal end of said tube, said arms being curved such that they diverge to attain a shape which generally conforms to the contours of the lumen of the uterus upon extension of said arms from within said tube; a plunger, provided with a longitudinal bore and open at both ends, and being slidably disposed within said tube and fixed near its distal end to said arms, for extending and retracting the arms relative to the distal end of said tube; within said tube, such that said arms and said membrane firmly engage the walls of the lumen of the uterus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A device for engaging the lumen of a patient's uterus, comprising: a tube, having a single longitudinal bore, for insertion through a patient's cervix into the uterus; arm means for engaging the uterus, said arm means including two opposing, flexible arms slidably disposed within the distal end of said tube, said arms being curved such that they diverge to attain a shape which generally conforms to the contours of the lumen of the uterus upon extension of said arms from within said tube; a plunger, provided with a longitudinal bore and open at both ends, and being slidably disposed within said tube and fixed near its distal end to said arms, for extending and retracting the arms relative to the distal end of said tube; within said tube, such that said arms and said membrane firmly engage the walls of the lumen of the uterus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rod is provided with a longitudinal bore and is opened at both ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: tubular means in fluid communication with said rod, for providing aspiration or irrigation at the distal end of said rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said arm means further includes a membrane, disposed between said arms and fixed along its outer edges to said arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the membrane is provided with pleats.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said rod is coextensive at its distal end with said membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
158 words
A surgical method for engaging the lumen of the uterus while avoiding disturbance of the tissue on the outside of the uterus or the cervix, comprising: providing an apparatus comprising two flexible curved arms supporting an expandable membrane and disposed within a tube, said tube being insertable into the uterus through the cervix, said arms and said membrane being extendable from within the tube to a deployed state in which said arms diverge in coplanar orientation from the longitudinal axis of said tube and expand said membrane therebetween so as to engage the lumen of the uterus, said arms being reinforced by ribs disposed between said arms and a rod slidably disposed within said tube; inserting said tube into the uterus through the cervix; and deploying said arms and said membrane by causing them to be extended from within said tube, such that said arms and said membrane firmly engage the walls of the lumen of the uterus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
158 words
A surgical method for engaging the lumen of the uterus while avoiding disturbance of the tissue on the outside of the uterus or the cervix, comprising: providing an apparatus comprising two flexible curved arms supporting an expandable membrane and disposed within a tube, said tube being insertable into the uterus through the cervix, said arms and said membrane being extendable from within the tube to a deployed state in which said arms diverge in coplanar orientation from the longitudinal axis of said tube and expand said membrane therebetween so as to engage the lumen of the uterus, said arms being reinforced by ribs disposed between said arms and a rod slidably disposed within said tube; inserting said tube into the uterus through the cervix; and deploying said arms and said membrane by causing them to be extended from within said tube, such that said arms and said membrane firmly engage the walls of the lumen of the uterus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 7, comprising further the step of withdrawing the uterus through the vaginal canal while maintaining the deployed state of the apparatus, subsequent to the uterus having been freed from surrounding tissues through a surgical procedure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-10 | 1998-04-11 | 1998-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-10 | 2002-04-11 | 2002-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-10 | 2006-04-11 | 2006-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |