摘要 |
This invention relates to instruments such as retractors and dissectors used in laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgical procedures. In particular, the invention relates to instruments with expandable portions thereof having different sizes and shapes which can be placed into the abdomen, chest or pelvis through small tubes and expanded using carbon dioxide or sterile solutions, for example. Expandable retractors will allow retracting of large, fragile organs such as the liver, spleen, kidney, lung, bowel while minimizing potential injuries thereto. Expandable dissectors which are used in dissecting arteries, veins and tubal structures are safer and more precise.
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