APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROTECTING ADJACENT STRUCTURES DURING THE INSERTION OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT INTO A TUBULAR ORGAN

摘要

A device for protecting tissues and structures adjacent to a tubular organ during performance of a surgical procedure on a portion of the tubular organ. Various embodiments may comprise a member that may be deployed through a surgical instrument in a first configuration and expanded to a second configuration such that when in the second configuration, the protective member may extend substantially around an outer circumference of the portion of the tubular organ.