Anterograde/retrograde spiral dissector and method of use in vein grafting

Abstract

A surgical instrument for bluntly dissecting connective tissues in a plane around a vein or other anatomic structure in a minimally invasive surgery. An anterograde or retrograde spiral dissector comprises one or more elongate spiral members, each having a blunt distal tip adapted for helical advancement in a plane around the surface of a vein. Anterograde helical advancement of the spiral assembly bluntly dissects small diameter "guide paths" in connective tissues with little resistance to penetration. With the spiral dissector thus helically engaged, the instrument drives itself anterograde upon rotation. The spiral dissector includes a "path-expanding" structure associated with either a distal, medial or proximal region of each spiral member, by which is meant the path-expanding structure is adapted for anterograde or retrograde travel along the dissected "guide paths" to further expand the dimensions of the guide paths thereby to dissect the connective tissues in a 360.degree. plane around the vein.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.