Importance

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Abstract

An intra-abdominal organ stabilizer, manipulator and retractor includes an elongated tube for insertion through an introducer into an abdominal cavity. A rod is telescopingly received and axially movable within the tube. A stabilizer tip is secured to the distal end of the rod and axially movable therewith into and out of the distal end of the tube. The stabilizer tip includes a pair of relatively stiff juxtaposed support arms laterally flexible between closed positions for movement into and out of the tube, and spread positions when projecting partially or fully beyond the end of the tube for retracting, manipulating or stabilizing organs, tissue or the like during a medical procedure. A leaf spring may be disposed between the support arms for providing rigid horizontal support between the support arms to facilitate manipulation and stabilization of organs or the like and for moving the support arms to their spread positions automatically in response to moving the arms to their extended positions beyond the distal end of the tube. A sleeve or membrane encircles the stabilizer tip and is, in one embodiment, retracted into the tube along with the stabilizer tip. The sleeve when the stabilizer tip is extended bridges the space between the support arms to support the organ or tissue and prevents the organ or tissue from being pinched between the support arms as the stabilizer tip is withdrawn. In another form of the invention, the membrane or sleeve encircles the stabilizer tip and the tube so that when the stabilizer tip is partially or fully extended the end portion of the membrane or sleeve bridges the space between the fully or partially spread apart arms.

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First Claim