Abstract: A dural knife with a protective foot-plate for use in surgical procedures. The dural knife includes a movable foot-plate disposed on an end of the scalpel in proximity to the blade. The foot plate uses a hinge joint to attach to the handle at a region near the attachment of a blade to the handle. The foot plate has a ball and socket locking mechanism. The foot-plate can be rotated 90 degrees outward to apply the blade then locked back in place. The device allows cutting of the dural meningeal layer while retracting it away from underlying neurovascular structures and thus protecting them. The device is generally made of stainless steel with a serrated handle and tapered tip with an attached, removable sharp blade. A small dural incision is made to introduce the foot plate underneath. The dura is elevated and divided between the foot plate and the sharp blade. The new device will allow safer opening of the dura in regular cranial and spinal neurosurgical procedures.

Abstract: An endoscopic sheath having a biomimetic retractor for retracting organs and tissues in the body. The inflatable retractor comprises an inflatable balloon configured to retract specific organs and tissues at the site of the endoscopic procedure, with attached inflation and deflation means. In one embodiment, the inflatable retractor is attached to an outer tube or cannula. A second, inner cannula is placed within the outer cannula and attached thereto by a plurality of substantially elastic strands. The strands center the inner cannula while allowing it to be manipulated in any direction.