Back to results
US 2003/0232016 A1Published application
Nerve identification and sparing method
OwnerRussell Heinrichinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for identifying and sparing nerves during a surgical procedure is disclosed wherein a particular indicator is applied to a surgical site to identify nerve tissue. The indicator visually distinguishes the nerves from surrounding tissue. The identified nerves are then spared during the surgical procedure.
Claims6
A nerve identification and sparing method, comprising the steps of:
- incising tissue of a patient to expose a surgical site having a plurality of nerves;
- adding an indicator that is absorbable by the plurality of nerves to the surgical site;
- allowing the indicator to accumulate in the nerves of the patient at the surgical site;
- identifying the nerves containing the indicator;
- and
- performing a surgical procedure at the surgical site by avoiding the nerves identified as containing the indicator.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.