Device or apparatus for manipulating matter

A remotely operated surgical device comprising

• (a) a substantially linear housing having a distal deployment opening;
• (b) a curved pseudoelastic blade, said blade constrainable in a relatively straightened shape within the housing;
• and
• (c) remote means for projecting and retracting the pseudoelastic blade relative to the distal deployment opening between a first position wherein the pseudoelastic blade is constrained in a relatively straightened shape within the housing, and a second position wherein the psendoelastic blade is not constrained by the housing and assumes a relatively curved shape.

An instrument device comprising

• (a) a distal bladed element having a first pivoted blade, and a second opposing blade;
• (b) an elastically deformable stem connected to the bladed element;
• (c) a proximal blade actuator means for causing pivotal motion of the pivotable blade;
• and
• (d) a stem deformation control means for controlling the deformation of the elastically deformable stem.

A device for dissecting an object comprising at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion:

• i. means for splaying the end portions apart from one another when free of transverse constraint to dissect the object from surrounding material;
• and
• ii. said end portions being movable toward one another,
• wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.

A device for gasping or cutting an object comprising at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion:

• i. means for splaying the end portions apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting grasping or cutting surfaces to an object to be grasped or cut that is placed between them;
• and
• ii. said end portions being movable toward one another to grasp or cut said object;
• wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.

A device for grasping or cutting an object comprising:

• a. at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion:
• i. means for splaying the end portions apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting grasping or cutting surfaces to an object to be grasped or cut that is placed between them;
• and
• ii. said end portions being movable towards one another to grasp or cut said object;
• and
• b. actuating means for said elongate elements;
• wherein a portion of at least one of the elements and/or said actuating means is formed from a pseudoelastic material.

A device for grasping or cutting an object comprising:

• a. a hollow elongate component;
• and
• b. at least two elongate elements, at least part of which are positioned within said component, said elements being positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion:
• i. means for slaying the end portions apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting grasping or cutting surfaces to an object to be grasped or cut that is placed between them;
• and
• ii. said end notions being movable towards one another to grasp or cut said object;
• wherein the elements and the component are longitudinally slideable relative to one another so that at least a portion of the elements can be slid into and out of said component and wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.

A device for dissecting an object comprising:

• a. at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion:
• i. means for splaying the end portions apart from one another when free of transverse constraint for dissecting the object from surrounding material;
• and
• ii. said end portions being movable toward one another;
• and
• b. actuating means for said elongate elements;
• wherein a portion of at least one of the elements and/or said actuating means is formed from a pseudoelastic material.

A device for dissecting an object comprising:

• a. a hollow elongate component;
• and
• b. at least two elongate elements, at least part of which are positioned within said component, said elements being positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion:
• i. means for splaying the end portions apart from one another when free of transverse constraint to dissect said object from surrounding material;
• and
• ii. said end portions being movable toward one another;
• wherein the elements and the component are longitudinally slideable relative to one another so that at least a portion of the elements can be slid into and out of said component and wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.

A method of dissecting an object from surrounding material, comprising:

• A. providing a device which comprises at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements splaying apart from one another when free of transverse constraint to dissect said object from surrounding material;
• and wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material;
• B. positioning end portions adjacent the object;
• and
• C. causing said end portions to splay apart so as to dissect said object from surrounding material.

A method of dissecting an object from surrounding material, which comprises:

• A. providing a device which comprises
• a. at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements slaying apart from one another when free of transverse constraint;
• and
• b. actuating means for said end portions;
• wherein a portion of at least one of the elements and/or said actuating means is formed from a pseudoelastic material;
• B. positioning said end portions adjacent said object;
• and
• C. causing said end portions to splay apart so as to dissect said object from surrounding material.

A method of dissecting an object from surrounding material, comprising;

• A. providing a device which comprises:
• a. a hollow elongate component;
• and
• b. at least two elongate elements, at least part of which are positioned within said component, said elements being positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements slaying apart from one another when free of transverse constraint;
• and
• wherein the elements and the component are longitudinally slideable relative to one another so that at least a portion of the elements can be slid into and out of said component and wherein at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material;
• B. positioning said end portions adjacent said object;
• and
• C. causing said end portions to splay apart so as to dissect said object from surrounding material.

A method of grasping or cutting an object, comprising:

• A. providing a device which comprises:
• a. at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements:
• i. means for splaying the end portions apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting gasping or cutting surfaces to an object to be grasped or cut that is placed between them;
• and
• ii. said end portions being movable toward one another to grasp or cut said object;
• wherein at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material;
• B. positioning the object between the splayed apart end portions of the elements;
• and
• C. causing said end portions to move toward one another so as to grasp or cut said object.

A method of grasping or cutting at, object, comprising:

• A. providing a device which comprises:
• a. at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements:
• i. means for splaying the end portions apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting grasping or cutting surfaces to an object to be grasped or cut that is placed between them;
• and
• ii. said end portions being movable toward one another to grasp or cut said object;
• and
• b. actuating means for said end portions;
• wherein at least a portion of at least one of the elements and/or said actuating means is formed from a pseudoelastic material;
• B. positioning said object between the splayed apart end portions of the elements;
• and
• C. causing said end portions to move toward one another so as to gasp or cut said object.

A method of grasping or cutting an object, comprising:

• A. providing a device which comprises:
• a. a hollow elongate component;
• and
• b. at least two elongate elements, at least part of which are positioned within said component, said elements being positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion:
• i. means for splaying the end portions apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting grasping or cutting surfaces to an object to be grasped or cut that is placed between them;
• and
• ii. said end portions being movable toward one another to grasp or cut said object;
• wherein the elements and the component axe longitudinally slideable relative to one another so that at least a portion of the elements can be slid into and out of said component and where, at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material;
• B. positioning said object between the splayed apart end portions of the elements;
• and
• C. causing said end portions to move toward one another so as to grasp or cut said object.