US Patent 7988623 Apparatus and methods for shielding body structures during surgery

An apparatus for shielding a body structure during surgical procedures which is configured for insertion into the internal passage of a support structure, and includes an elongated body portion with a distal tip portion configured to cover the body structure without substantially displacing the body structure. The apparatus also includes a mounting portion at a proximal end portion thereof for mounting the apparatus within the internal passage of the support structure, and a member connected to the mounting portion to release the mounting portion with respect to the internal passage of the wall portion.