Importance

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Abstract

An instrument and method for performing some medical procedure in an interior portion of the body of a living being from outside the body of the being via a small percutaneous incision or puncture. The instrument includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a working head coupling to the proximal portion to be operated thereby. The proximal portion is arranged to be held outside the body of the being by the user of the instrument. The distal portion comprises a tip having a tissue engagement surface which is sufficiently blunt so that it does not present a hazard to internally located tissue, yet which will form at least a portion of the percutaneous incision or puncture. The distal portion of the instrument is arranged to be extended through the skin and underlying tissue, which is internally supported, e.g., insufflated, to form the percutaneous incision or puncture upon the application of pressure onto the instrument so that the working head passes through the incision or puncture into the interior portion without the use of a trocar. When in position the proximal portion of the instrument is operated to cause the working head to perform the procedure. When the procedure is finished the instrument is removed from the percutaneous incision or puncture, whereupon it seals itself, thereby obviating the need for suturing or other artificial seals.

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First Claim