Multi-position ratchet mechanism
US4424724A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 1981 |
| Grant date | Jan 10, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20714
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A multi-position ratchet mechanism for holding a surgical retractor blade which permits a retractor blade to be rotated into the wound and retracted at the same time to duplicate the natural "toe-in" method of retraction achieved with the hand. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet holder to which is pivotably attached a ratchet pivot housing. The retractor blade is mounted in an opening projecting through ratchet pivot housing and held in position by a retractor pawl attached to the ratchet pivot housing. The ratchet pivot housing also has a curved ratchet which depends into a cooperating slot in the ratchet holder and engages a pivot pawl rotatably mounted and spring biased into the ratchet slot. The holder includes a transverse slot which slides onto an oval ring which is mounted about the incision site.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.