Adjustable Traction Device for Endoscopic Medical Procedures
OwnerJustin R. Chambers, William T. McClellan +2inventors
InventorsJustin R. Chambers, William T. McClellan, M'hamed Turki, Wesam Frandah
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Abstract
A traction device, includes an adjustable tension element having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a spring extending between the first end and the second end, wherein: the first end and the second end of the adjustable tension element are configured to be attached to a first tissue and a second tissue, respectively, while the spring is in an expanded configuration; and the spring is configured to exert a traction force between the first tissue and the second tissue responsive to heating the adjustable tension element.
Claims20
A traction device, comprising:
- an adjustable tension element having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a spring extending between the first end and the second end, wherein:
- the first end and the second end of the adjustable tension element are configured to be attached to a first tissue and a second tissue, respectively, while the spring is in an expanded configuration;
- and
- the spring is configured to exert a traction force between the first tissue and the second tissue responsive to heating the adjustable tension element.
A method of applying traction during a procedure, comprising:
- attaching a first end of an adjustable tension element of a traction device to a first tissue using a first clamp, wherein the adjustable tension element comprises a helical spring composed of a shape changing material;
- attaching a second end of the adjustable tension element to a second tissue using a second clamp while the first end of the adjustable tension element is attached to the first tissue;
- and
- causing a traction force to be exerted between the first tissue and the second tissue by heating a first portion of the helical spring to a temperature above a transition temperature of the shape changing material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.